Should we prepare before having a baby? (Pre-conception Care)

Most women know that they need to take extra care of their health during pregnancy. But if you're planning to have a baby , it's actually best for you and your partner to start making some changes about 6 months before you get pregnant. Simply put, this will help you lay a good foundation for a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby.

So, let's see what's on this checklist you need to complete when preparing your body for a baby.

You have to stop smoking now.

Smoking can reduce your and your partner's chances of conceiving a child. In particular, men who smoke may have a lower sperm count and a change in the healthy shape of their sperm.

Women who smoke during pregnancy are at higher risk of miscarriage . They are also more likely to have a premature baby (before term) or a low birth weight. This can lead to other serious health problems for the baby. Not only that, tobacco use also increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

Although some people think that "e-cigarettes are less toxic," they still contain nicotine. This nicotine prevents the brain and lungs of a growing baby from developing properly. Therefore, you should completely stop using e-cigarettes. Remember, it takes a while to completely break this habit, so it's best to start quitting as soon as possible.

Let's also take care of your weight.

Being too overweight (obesity) or too underweight can both make it difficult to conceive. The more you reach a healthy weight for your height before you get pregnant, the lower your risk of complications during pregnancy, such as diabetes and high blood pressure.

Also, maintaining a healthy weight can reduce the risk of your baby being born prematurely, having spinal cord defects , or growing too large in the womb.

Know your BMI (Body Mass Index). Exercising daily will help you reach this goal. Also, adopt a diet that includes more vegetables, fruits, lean meats, fish, low-fat dairy products, and whole grains . If you want to know more about this, talk to your doctor or a nutritionist.

These vitamins are essential.

Doctors used to say that you should start taking folic acid after you get pregnant. But now, experts recommend that you start taking a prenatal vitamin containing 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid before you even start trying to conceive. This is a very important nutrient because it helps prevent serious birth defects (`neural tube defects`) in the developing baby's nervous system and spine.

Also check if the vitamin you take contains DHA. This is a type of omega -3. It is very important for the development of the baby's brain after pregnancy. During pregnancy, you need about 200 milligrams of DHA per day. Some vitamins contain it, but not all. Therefore, ask your doctor if you should take DHA separately.

Also, your doctor may advise you to take vitamin D supplements. If your vitamin D levels are low, it can also affect your ability to conceive a child to some extent.

The importance of knowing about family illnesses

Has anyone in your or your partner's family ever had a child with a birth defect, a medical condition like diabetes, seizure disorders, or developmental issues? Now is the best time to find out and let your doctor know. Because that information will help your doctor decide what tests you need to have.

For example, if someone in your family has a disease like thalassemia , which is common in our country, a blood test can determine whether you are carriers of the disease. This way, you can know in advance the risk of your child inheriting the disease.

Stay away from drugs and alcohol completely.

The chemicals in illegal drugs like cocaine and methamphetamine are very harmful when you're planning to have a baby. The same goes for marijuana, which is legal in some countries.

Heavy alcohol consumption (more than 4 drinks per week or more than 8 drinks per week) can also affect your fertility. While there's no clear consensus on whether an occasional beer or two will have any effect, experts say it's safest to abstain from alcohol completely while trying to conceive . There's no safe amount of alcohol for a growing baby. Plus, you may not even know you're pregnant in the first few weeks.

Let's control caffeine too.

Drinking more than 500 milligrams of caffeine a day (that's more than 3-4 cups of regular coffee) can also interfere with your ability to conceive. One study found that women and their partners who drank more than two caffeinated beverages a day in the weeks leading up to conception were at higher risk of miscarriage. So, it's best to limit your coffee and tea intake as much as possible.

Most importantly: Talk to your doctor.

If you have any pre-existing medical conditions (e.g. diabetes, high blood pressure, thyroid), be sure to tell your doctor that you are planning to have a baby. The more your doctor knows about your health conditions, the better they can be managed before pregnancy and reduce the risk of them affecting your baby.

Also, you should inform your doctor about all medications (including those prescribed by a doctor and those you buy from a pharmacy) and vitamins you take. Some of them may be harmful to the baby. If so, your doctor will be able to give you safer alternatives.

pre-conception care, before pregnancy, healthy baby, women's health, folic acid, Folic Acid, fertility