So you’ve decided you’d like to get pregnant? Congratulations! Preparing for pregnancy is an important first step. There are many things you can and should do before you get pregnant that can increase your chances of having a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby.
Schedule a pre-conception visit
If you haven’t already chosen an Obstetrician/Gynecologist (OB/GYN), now is the time to research. Comfort, convenience, bedside manner, trust and expertise are all things to consider when making your choice. There are many ways to find a providerYou can:
- Search for in-network doctors through your insurance
- Ask friends for recommendations
- Read online reviews
- Ask your primary care doctor for recommendations
Once you’ve decided on a healthcare provider, you can schedule a preconception appointment. During this appointment your OB/GYN will likely do a pelvic exam and Pap smear, will also want to discuss your personal and family health history, and review current medications to determine if anything could be affecting your pregnancy .
Talk about pregnancy and parenting
Having a child is one of the most important decisions in life and making this decision takes a lot of time and thought. Experts and parents agree that couples should discuss parenting styles, expectations and roles before conceiving a child together. It’s important for you to each understand each other’s goals and fears about parenthood. It’s also important to make sure you’re on the same page with the timeline – you may both have agreed on “one day”, but how far in the future is that? Parenting is constantly evolving, and your feelings about things like public vs. private school and screen time vs. no electronics will undoubtedly change along the way. So don’t write each other if you find you disagree on a few things at this part of the process.
Start taking prenatal vitamins
Prenatal vitamins are essential for a healthy pregnancy. It is recommended to start a vitamin regimen 2-3 months before trying to have a baby. Prenatal vitamins are specially formulated with 100% of the recommended daily values for pregnancy. They contain important nutrients for you and your growing baby such as:
- Folic acid (Folic acid), which is key to preventing neural tube defects
- DHA, to support your baby’s brain and nervous system as well as reduce the chances of premature birth
- Iron, which is essential for blood and placenta health along with boosting your energy levels
- Vitamin C, which helps your body absorb iron and supports a healthy immune system for you and your baby
Us Total Prenatal + DHA is a great choice if you’re in the market for a prenatal that will provide essential nourishment during planning, preparation and pregnancy.
Budget for the baby
There are many discussions about finances that you should consider having before you get pregnant.
- Is your home currently big enough to accommodate a new family member?
- Will you need to move?
- If so, how much would your rent or mortgage go up to make up for the extra square footage you currently lack?
- What will maternity leave be like?
- Is it paid or unpaid?
- How much time do you plan to take off while you adjust to parenthood?
- Do you have savings to cover extra time off if needed?
- Do you currently have insurance?
- How much will insurance cover for your prenatal care, delivery and hospitalization?
- Do you have supplementary insurance such as short term disability and hospital indemnity? If not, they must be purchased prior to conception as they do not cover pre-existing conditions.
Of course, you can and will make it work without mapping out every financial decision from conception to college, but these are just a few important questions for you and your partner to consider.
Stop taking birth control
If you are currently using birth control, you should stop taking it before trying to conceive. If you are taking hormonal birth control such as the pill, ring, implant, IUD, patch, or shot, you should stop taking it for a few menstrual cycles (2-3 months) before you start trying for a baby. Taking a break from hormonal birth control will help you determine your natural cycle and ovulation so you can be more careful in your attempts to get pregnant. If you use non-hormonal forms of birth control such as condoms, spermicidal lubricants, or other methods to avoid pregnancy, you can start trying to conceive with your next ovulation cycle.
Focus on total body health
Adopting a healthy lifestyle is a great way to prepare for pregnancy, and establishing healthy habits before conception will make the transition to a pregnancy much smoother. Move your body daily, drink plenty of water, eat nutritious foods, focus on reducing stress, and prioritize your mental and physical health. We all know that drinking alcohol, taking drugs and smoking during pregnancy is harmful to the health of the fetus. But these things can negatively affect the quality of your eggs, how you ovulate, and also your fertility. The healthier you are, the healthier your eggs are, the more regular your ovulation cycles, and the better your chances of getting pregnant and carrying a baby to term.
There is no such thing as perfect parents or perfect timing, and you may never have enough money or success for your liking. Becoming a parent is a huge responsibility but it is also something that has to be done organically. Putting unnecessary stress on yourself or your partner is never helpful, so remember that you are a united front, a team, and you know what’s best for you and your future family.
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