Learn how to be your healthiest before you get pregnant. Deciding to have a baby is a big decision. Being pregnant and giving birth to your baby should be one of the happiest times of your life and one of the healthiest. To improve the chances that you and your baby have the best possible health and to avoid unwanted complications during pregnancy, you will want to make sure you are as healthy as possible before you become pregnant.
Some problems are not preventable but you should try to eliminate any possible complications by being healthy and giving birth to a healthy baby. If you are planning on becoming pregnant, you should talk to your doctor. He or she may recommend Preconceptual Counseling, testing and evaluations that your doctor will do prior to your trying to become pregnant.
Most women will not know that they are actually pregnant until they are already in their first month of pregnancy. The embryo is most susceptible to harm from days 17 to 56 after conception has occurred. Women that don't yet realize that they have conceived may unwillingly cause damage to the unborn baby. This is why it is so important to eliminate any health risks before you become pregnant.
Pregnancy is not a time to be dieting or limiting any specific food group. Being at your ideal weight when you become pregnant is best for your health and that of the unborn child's. If you are underweight or overweight, you may experience complications during your pregnancy. It's important that you consume the proper vitamins and minerals prior to conception. Pregnancy puts a great strain on a woman's body, you should get plenty of rest, exercise and nutrition prior to pregnancy to help you feel your best during your pregnancy.
There has been a great deal of publicity over folic acid in the past several years. Doctors have discovered that when a mother consumes folic acid before becoming pregnant and during the first six weeks of pregnancy, it decreases her chances of giving birth to a baby with spina bifida (an opening over the spine). Many prenatal vitamins contain the proper dose of folic acid. Make sure you discuss it with your doctor to be sure you are getting the needed amount of folic acid in your diet. Orange juice is also high is folic acid, many women drink a glass of orange juice each day prior to becoming pregnant and during their first trimester.
If you already have an exercise routine when you become pregnant, it is usually okay to continue with your workout regimen. You should avoid getting overheated as this can cause birth defects during the first trimester of pregnancy. Pregnant women should never get overheated by exercising and they should avoid using hot tubs and saunas while pregnant.
If you have any diseases or disorders, especially those that require medication, be sure to discuss the risks and safety measures with your physician. Some medical conditions that can cause pregnancy complications include high blood pressure, diabetes, heart and kidney problems and seizure disorders. Discuss with your doctor whether it is safe to continue taking any medications while you are attempting to become pregnant. He may be able to switch you to a medication that poses less health risks for the baby.
If you have, or think you may have, any sexually transmitted diseases, discuss this with your doctor prior to becoming pregnant. Many STD's can be treated and it is best to receive treatment before you are pregnant. Women with HIV or AIDS may be advised not to become pregnant, there is a very high risk that you will pass the infection on to your unborn baby. There is no cure for HIV or AIDS. It is advisable, especially for high risk women (those that use intravenous drugs or have had numerous sexual partners), get tested for the HIV virus before trying to get pregnant. Your doctor can perform this simple test in his office or you can get the test done for free at your local county health department.
If you have herpes, it is important to discuss this with your medical provider. Herpes can cause blindness in babies while passing through the birthing canal. Your doctor may recommend a caesarean section to eliminate this risk.
You should never use any alcohol, illicit drugs or smoke cigarettes during pregnancy or while you are trying to become pregnant. If you use any of these items, the baby will also absorb them into his or her system. All of the above mentioned substances can cause severe birth defects and pregnancy complications. Smoking cigarettes has been linked to low birth weight in newborns, which in turn, can cause health problems due to their organs not being fully formed.
Babies whose parents smoke cigarettes are also more likely to die from SIDS, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, a disorder of unknown causes that results in infants dying in their sleep.
The majority of pregnancies result in healthy babies. Getting the best prenatal care and pre-pregnancy care can help to ensure that your baby is one of them.
By : Victoria Walker
