Getting pregnant and starting a new family is a very big responsibility. This is not only a big responsibility for a mother to be, but, for the father to be also. Both the parents and their health play an important role in the development of a child. And hence it is very important that both the mother to be and father to be consider some of the factors that are very important before they get pregnant. These are the five things you should take care of before getting pregnant. These are the five essential pre pregnancy health tips
- Pre pregnancy check up
- Give up all your bad habits
- Try to follow a healthy schedule and diet
- Consider financial as well as mental readiness
- Figure out when you ovulate
Pre pregnancy check up
Whenever you decide to get pregnant. The first thing you should do is schedule and appointment with a gynecologist for Pre pregnancy check up. You have to pay a visit to an ob-gyn. Not in order to fix it for child birth, but, the ob-gyn will consider your family history. The practitioner will also review your current health and the medications that you are taking. The doctor will also help you decide a healthy diet plan and help you maintain a good weight. The doctor may also take into consideration if you have any other diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure that need to be controlled before you pregnant. You will also need to take some Pre pregnancy test to determine the health and well being of your and your future baby.
You may also be given genetic counseling if needed.
The doctor may also prescribe some multi vitamins and folic acid tablets that are necessary.
Give up all your bad habits
Unhealthy habits like drinking, taking drugs and chewing tobacco are very harmful if you are trying to conceive or when you are pregnant. All these habits may lead to miscarriage, premature birth or defects in developing fetus.
These habits are usually very difficult to give up and hence you may need help or rehabilitation for totally giving up these habits.
Try to follow a healthy schedule and diet
You are not yet pregnant, but, you will have to start eating healthy food. You should start eating healthy and nutritious food for a healthy pregnancy. You should definitely eat lots of leafy vegetables and fruits.
You should eat foods that are rich in calcium and those that have high protein content.
Also you should follow a strict exercise program that you can also continue during pregnancy unless and until restricted by the doctor. The exercise may start form light exercise like walking for 10 or 20 minutes, taking stairs while climbing down from top floors then elevators.
Consider financial as well as mental readiness
For getting pregnant, continuing through nine months of pregnancy and giving birth and raising a kid need a lot of finance. So, parents to be should definitely look into their finances.
If you cannot get pregnant, then you might also need IVF. This needs a lot of finances. When you get pregnant, the medicines, other pregnancy care and the preparations for the arrival of the baby need finances. Delivery and the hospital stay will also need a lot of finances.
The parents to be also need to check their mental status. If a person, either mother or father is suffering from depression and stress, the added responsibility of a baby might also aggravate the situation.
Figure out when you ovulate
Some women might like to be more perfect and calculated. They want to know when exactly are they most fertile and then give it a try. If you are one of them, you need to learn how to calculate the ovulation cycle. You may also use the ovulation calculator or the ovulation strips that are available in the market.
These are the five important things that everyone should take care of before getting pregnant and plan a happy and healthy pregnancy.