How to Prepare Your Body for Pregnancy: The Do's and Don’ts

Are you all set to become a new mom? Though your first pregnancy is undoubtedly an exciting time, it can also feel a bit overwhelming. Understandably, you must still be feeling confused about what to do for a healthy pregnancy. Well, relax and take a deep breath because you have come to the right place. Here is a brief overview of all the things you should and shouldn't be doing to get your body ready for pregnancy. Let's get started!

The Dos:

• Start a Multivitamin and Folic Acid

Pregnancy is pretty taxing on the nutritional stores of the body. So, start giving yourself a boost beforehand by adding prenatal multivitamins to your diet to manage any deficiencies. You would need at least four hundred to eight hundred micrograms of folic acid per day as you're preparing your body for pregnancy. Also, remember that prenatal multivitamins usually have enough folic acid, so check the label beforehand.

• Schedule Your First Appointment with an OB

Of course, you will be visiting your OB after the tests are positive. But your first appointment with a specialist needs to be even before you start trying. The preconception appointment is more of a counseling session, where your medical history and nutritional habits are discussed. Use this appointment to discuss any factors that you think might lead to complications.

• Start Exercising Daily From Today

No, we are not asking you to join a gym straight away. It is okay if you start with walking for fifteen minutes and increase the duration each week. Only thirty minutes of moderate activity for two and a half hours every week would suffice. Yes, I followed just the same, and trust me, I had no problems during pregnancy. 

The Don'ts:

• Turn Sex into a Chore from the Beginning

Do not worry too much about timing sex if you do not have any known fertility issues. It will turn sex into a chore and take the fun out of it. Having sex often during your ovulation cycle will get you closer to pregnancy rather than stressing out over timing everything. Besides, you guys are going to be new parents in a few months. So, why not use good sex to strengthen your relationship further?

• Start Panicking If Pregnancy Takes Time

There is nothing to worry about if you do not get pregnant right away. You only have about a 20% chance of getting pregnant every time you ovulate. So, it is okay if it doesn't happen after one ovulation cycle. Maybe it will happen during the next one. You only need to call up the doctor when you've been trying to get pregnant for a year or more.

At the End

And the most important piece of advice we have: calm down and relax. You've got this! Take proper care of yourself and follow the tips given above. You are going to experience the beginning of a beautiful phase in your life within a short period. If you want to know more about pregnancy and being a mom, here are a few resources to help: https://hubbleconnected.com/blogs/news/baby-proofing.

 https://hubbleconnected.com/blogs/news/how-early-is-it-safe-to-give-birth