• Achieve your ideal weight at least
3 months before you conceive. Baby's health
is tied to your body weight. Overweight
pregnant women run the risk of high blood
pressure and gestational diabetes and stand
a higher chance of a C-section. Underweight
women have a harder time conceiving and
give birth to premature and low birth-weight
babies.
• Start on your prenatal vitamins
and stop taking your multivitamins. More
is not better in this situation.
• Exercising in moderation before
getting pregnant and continuing this right
through your pregnancy will be helpful.
• If you are on medications discuss
this with your doctor.
• Stop smoking. Avoid second hand
smoke.
• Stop drinking alcohol and alcoholic
beverages.
• Control your intake of caffeinated
beverages
• Check on your immunity to rubella
and chicken pox. If you need vaccinations
discuss your pregnancy plans with your doctor
to get the correct advice on what to do
next.
• Get all necessary tests done, such
as X-rays, before discontinuing with your
contraceptives
• Start taking folic acid; 400mcg
per day is recommended. Folic acid is crucial
in preventing birth defects of the brain
and spinal cord and helps control the incidence
miscarriages. You need to start taking folic
acid before you get pregnant because it
shields you the most during the initial
28 days of your pregnancy. Since you may
not know when you get pregnant you should
start on folic once you stop on contraceptives.
• Check your iron levels. Iron deficiency
contributes to fatigue in more than normal
levels during pregnancy.
• Check your cholesterol levels. Decrease
it with high-fiber diet that is also low
in saturated fats. High cholesterol may
lead to high blood pressure while pregnant.
• Stay healthy; keep infections at
bay. Wash hands frequently, eat foods that
are well prepared and avoid situations where
you might be exposed to infections.
• Try to lessen unnecessary stress
in your life.
• Avoid hazardous chemicals at work
and home.
• Go for a dental check-up. Periodontal
disease during pregnancy increases your
risk of having a low birth-weight baby.
• Know your blood type and the blood
type of your partner's.
• Check on your HIV status.
• Consider how pregnancy fits into
your future plans. (career, travel, education)
• Check on your health insurance and
maternity coverage, if working.
Some of these issues
may be harder to begin during pregnancy
so dealing with them before pregnancy is
important. If on contraceptives, it makes
sense to continue until you have achieved
the above.
