Dreaming of a baby is a beautiful thing. But before that beautiful dream comes true, we need to prepare ourselves now to create a healthy, safe environment for that little one inside our womb. This is like checking the car thoroughly before going on a long trip and preparing everything we need. So, even if you are not pregnant yet, there are many things you can do right now to prepare your body for a healthy baby . Let's see how to do this preparation step by step.
First thing to do: See a doctor!
Yes, you will have to see a doctor regularly after you conceive a child. But it is very important to seek medical advice beforehand. Even if you have been pregnant before, you should definitely do this. Because, some health problems you have (for example, diabetes, high blood pressure) can affect conceiving a child. Also, getting pregnant with some medical conditions can be risky. Therefore, we need to start this journey by controlling all of those things .
The doctor will first discuss your and your partner's complete medical history. After that, they may perform some medical tests to make sure that neither of you has any medical conditions that could affect your ability to conceive or your pregnancy.
| Test type | Things to check and importance |
|---|---|
| General tests | General health is checked through things like blood tests and Pap smears. |
| Immunity and infections | It checks for immunity to diseases like rubella and chickenpox, as well as for infections like HIV, Hepatitis B, Herpes, and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), as well as toxoplasmosis. These can be harmful to the baby during pregnancy. |
| Other medical conditions | Thyroid function (with a TSH test), and hereditary diseases such as thalassemia and sickle cell anemia are checked. This test is very important because there are many thalassemia carriers in Sri Lanka. |
Be aware of vaccines as well.
Now is a good time to update your vaccinations. Some vaccines, such as the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine and the chickenpox (varicella) vaccine, are not recommended during pregnancy. If you have received one of these vaccines, doctors recommend waiting at least 28 days before trying to conceive. So, talk to your doctor about which vaccines you should get now and which ones you should get during pregnancy (such as the Tdap vaccine for whooping cough).
The most important lifestyle changes
To conceive a healthy baby, you will have to completely abandon certain habits. These are important for both you and your partner.
Say goodbye to smoking and alcohol.
You probably already know that smoking and drinking alcohol during pregnancy are not good at all. These habits not only hinder the development of the baby, but also cause health problems for the child in the future.
Not only that, smoking and alcohol use before pregnancy can make it difficult to conceive a child and increase the risk of miscarriage .
If you need help stopping these habits, talk openly with your doctor about it.
Limit caffeine use.
Drinking more than two cups of coffee or five cans of soda a day (about 250 milligrams of caffeine) can also interfere with conceiving a baby. It also increases the risk of miscarriage. There is another benefit to cutting down on caffeine now. You will not have a hard time going without caffeine, even with the nausea you feel in the early weeks of pregnancy.
A healthy diet for a healthy baby!
A balanced diet is the best way to keep your body healthy. This is essential for the healthy development of your child.
1. Take care of your plate.
This is the best time to stay away from processed, fast food (junk food) and empty calorie foods. Add fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains and lean protein to your daily diet. This healthy diet, which is maintained even before pregnancy, also helps protect you from gestational diabetes, which can occur during pregnancy.
2. Don't forget to take folic acid!
This is a must-do . Folic acid is a B vitamin. It is naturally found in green vegetables and legumes. Folic acid is essential to prevent birth defects that can affect the baby's brain and spinal cord.
Doctors recommend that if you are thinking about having a baby, you should start taking a folic acid pill daily starting at least 3 months before conception . You should continue taking this until the end of the first 3 months of pregnancy.
If you have previously had a child with a birth defect, your doctor may recommend a higher dose of folic acid.
3. Control your weight.
Being overweight increases the risk of complications during pregnancy, such as gestational diabetes and preeclampsia, a condition of high blood pressure. Pregnancy is not the best time to lose weight. Therefore, if you want to lose weight, this is the best time to do it.
In addition, a few things to keep in mind
Tell your doctor about the medications you are taking.
Whether you are taking prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, Ayurvedic, or herbal remedies, it is essential to inform your doctor about all medications you are taking. Some medications can have adverse effects on the unborn baby.
Be careful when choosing seafood.
You may have heard that fish high in mercury are bad for you during pregnancy. However, it can take up to a year for the mercury to leave your body. So it's best to be careful now. Eating fish twice a week is fine, but stay away from large fish like tilefish, tilefish, and shark . Smaller fish (e.g., mackerel, sardines) are better.
Start exercising.
Exercise not only helps you maintain a healthy weight, but it also helps give your body the strength and flexibility it needs to deliver your baby. You can start with something as simple as walking for 30 minutes a day.
Preparing mentally and physically
Having a baby is a blessing in life. At the same time, your entire life changes. It affects everything from your job, to managing your finances, to the relationship between you and your partner. It's important to talk about all of this in advance and plan accordingly. If you talk to your doctor about this, he or she will be able to give you good advice.
Take-Home Message
- Before you start thinking about having a child, both you and your partner should see a doctor and get the necessary advice and tests.
- Take folic acid daily for at least 3 months before getting pregnant.
- Quit smoking and alcohol completely. Limit caffeine consumption.
- Try to maintain a healthy body weight while eating a balanced diet.
- Inform your doctor about any medications you are currently taking.
- Talk to your partner about the challenges and changes that life with a child will bring and prepare yourself mentally.
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