We often romanticize pregnancy and for a good reason. It can undoubtedly be one of the most beautiful chapters in a mother’s life. It can also be challenging as the body and mind of a woman are exposed to many changes.
However, there are ways to prepare a body for pregnancy that will make these changes easier to navigate.
Schedule an Appointment with Your Healthcare Provider
Even though you feel healthy and strong enough to step into this new role, doing a preconception checkup is of the utmost importance. Alongside your doctor, you’ll go through your health status, discuss your family health history and determine what medications, vitamins, or supplements you can continue or should start using.
For instance, you are most likely to start using folic acid supplements. These are critical for your and your baby’s health. The good news is that some foods also contain folic acid, making them a great, natural option.
Pay Attention to Dental Hygiene
You’ll undergo many hormonal changes during pregnancy, which can affect your dental health. So it’s critical to make an appointment with your dentist and consult on the steps you should take during and after the pregnancy to keep both your teeth and gums healthy.
Don’t Neglect Your Mental Health
To go through pregnancy, from conception to delivery as smoothly as possible, you must be physically, mentally, and emotionally ready. Don’t let mental health be an afterthought. Instead, make it a priority.
Consult with a professional and be open about your feelings. It’s reasonable to feel scared, excited, and happy at the same time. Your body will undergo many changes, and after you give birth, you’ll enter the most rewarding but most challenging phase—parenthood. You must take care of your mental health; this is the pillar upon which you can depend going forward as a mother.
Get Rid of the Bad Habits
Although one of the most beautiful periods in women’s lives, a successful pregnancy requires discipline, and there are some general rules every future mother should stick to.
That, of course, doesn’t mean you’ll have to give up on all your favorite guilty pleasures like reality TV shows or sweets. But it does mean you should definitely cut back (or eliminate completely) some substances, like alcohol and nicotine.
The situation with these two, however, is not the same. For instance, if it sounds too challenging to stop drinking instantaneously, you can treat yourself to one of two drinks per week while trying to conceive. But, once you get pregnant, the best thing you can do for yourself and your baby is to say goodbye to alcoholic beverages.
As for cigarettes, they are never a good idea and even less so during pregnancy. So once conception becomes a priority, your love of nicotine must be left in the past.
Incorporate Good Habits
For those not as disciplined when it comes to healthy nutrition and physical activity, conception may be the motivation to consider incorporating some good habits. It will pay off in the long term.
Food: Choose Wisely
It’s not rocket science when it comes to food in the preconception period and during pregnancy. Consuming lean protein, whole grains, healthy fats, vegetables, fruits, and low-fat dairy is advisable. Again, don’t create a diet program on your own. Instead, consult with your doctor.
Professional advice is vital, as opinions are divided, such as whether you should consume fish or not. Although eating fish can positively impact a baby’s immune system and brain development, it’s better to check with your healthcare professional just to be sure.
Physically Active: Yes
Pregnancy doesn’t mean stagnation. On the contrary, being physically active will positively impact your physical and mental health. Moderation is key in this case. A half-an-hour walk per day is enough, but you can also engage in aerobic activities, strength exercises, and yoga for pregnant women.
Sleep More, Stress Less
Sleep and stress can also influence conception. Thus, your body must be relaxed and well-rested if you want to conceive and go through pregnancy with as little discomfort as possible.
Although mitigating or eliminating stress seems impossible, building a healthy sleep routine is a less demanding endeavor. Six to eight hours of sleep every night is a must.
Finally, engaging in activities that bring you joy and satisfaction, like reading or painting, can be of great help when preparing your body for pregnancy as well as boosting your overall mood.
We hope our article provided valuable insights into the varying factors that are vital for a pregnancy to be successful. Still, we must again stress that no matter what you want, consider, or plan to do, a visit and consultation with a doctor must be your first step.