|
Once you have decided that you want to have a baby, you and your partner should concentrate on getting yourselves fit and healthy before you try to conceive. Ideally, you should begin preparing for pregnancy at least three months before conception so that you can be sure that your child will get the best possible start in life. If your pregnancy is unplanned, then start taking extra care of yourself as soon as you suspect that you might be pregnant. This may involve some basic changes in your lifestyle.
There is evidence that suggests that smoking by either partner can delay conception, so if you or your partner smoke you should stop now. In addition, smoking during pregnancy will put the baby at risk and can also affect your well-being; giving up before conception will benefit you and your child.
Nutrition and Exercise in Pregnancy Preparation
A well-balanced, healthy diet that contains reasonable daily amounts of carbohydrate, protein, fat, minerals, and vitamins is essential for both your well-being and that of your baby. Everything you eat will also become your unborn child's nourishment, and what you store before pregnancy is important for early fetal development when all the major organs are formed.
One of the D vitamins, folic acid, helps prevent neural tube defects (NTD), such as spina bifida, in unborn babies. It is recommended that all women planning a pregnancy should increase their average daily intake to 0.6 mg by taking a 0.4 mg supplement before attempting conception, and during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. This is the time when your baby's organs and body systems are forming.
Regular exercise, such as brisk walking or swimming, is important if you are to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Exercise will help you get fit before conception and, as your pregnancy progresses, it will strengthen muscles in your lower back, stomach, and legs, which will help your body cope better with the demands of pregnancy.
Medication and pregnancy
|
