Many expectant mothers find pregnancy nerve-wracking. However, there are a few steps you can take to keep you feeling great and your baby happy.
Cut Out Bad Habits
The first thing you need to do is cut out any bad habits you may have. Whether it be drinking, smoking, vaping, whatever it may be, you need to stop partaking in incredibly unhealthy habits.
You can visit somewhere like Quit Clinics to help you with a smoking habit, for example, if that is a habit you may have.
Visit the Doctor
It is also essential to schedule a doctor’s appointment for a complete physical. Pregnancy can change your body so much that even the most minor issue can become something more serious.
Therefore, schedule a doctor’s appointment and tell them it is because you want to have a pre-pregnancy check. This will also allow them to check and test extra things that may not be part of a regular physical.
Visit the Dentist
One side-effect of pregnancy that is possible is deteriorating teeth health. Because of this, a visit to the dentist is also necessary. White, there is still a chance something could happen after the appointment; it is more about repairing any damage that could potentially get worse.
Family Health History
The final aspect of your health that you need to investigate is the health history of your family, particularly the women in your family. Knowing what their health was like during pregnancy will give you a good idea of what you should look out for.
While the conditions or symptoms they had may not apply to you, it is better to be informed than not, as that means you can receive treatment or find a fix for a problem much faster.
Start a Multivitamin
Multivitamins are another crucial aspect before and when you fall pregnant. Being pregnant can be incredibly taxing on your body’s vitamin and mineral stores, and a multivitamin is the best way to keep them at the right levels.
If need be, speak to your doctor and find out which is the best one for you, as well as how you can adjust your diet to ensure you are getting the right amount of everything you need.
Increase Folic Acid Intake
One of the most important things you need to consume more of is folic acid. Neural tube defects in early pregnancy are far more common than you may think, and folic acid or a folate supplement can help lower the chances of this problem.
The best dosage is typically between 400 and 800 micrograms, but once you are pregnant, have the doctor check your levels, as they may prescribe a higher dosage depending on your needs.
Eat Well
A healthy diet is a must before and during pregnancy. Once again, your body is put into a state where it has to overuse a lot of the minerals, vitamins, and fuel that you may have, and a healthy diet is needed to keep your levels balanced.
While you will get cravings for a wide variety of foods and drinks, it is still important to stick to a healthy diet on a regular basis. If anything, avoiding processed foods, or the overconsumption of processed foods, is a good start.
Exercise
Being physically fit and stronger is another factor that can influence your pregnancy. Once again, being pregnant takes a huge toll on your body, and exercise can help relieve a lot of pain or discomfort you may feel during pregnancy as well.
It can help improve your heart health, and circulation, relieve back and pelvic pain, prevent constipation, and help your body stay at its best once you give birth.
Stress Relief
Finding ways to relieve stress is most definitely something that is more applicable once you are pregnant, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take it seriously. It is common knowledge that pregnancy can throw your hormones out of whack, and this can make mood management and stress relief difficult.
Finding ways to handle these changes and stress is essential, and whether it be going for walks, yoga, meditating, or anything in between, if it works for you, then you should use that method regularly.
Avoid Toxic Substances/Environments
Finally, as a way to protect yourself and your future child, it is best to avoid toxic substances and being in toxic environments. Chemicals like bleach, and even compost or fertilizer can contain toxins that can cause serious harm.
Instead, speak to your doctor about what you should and shouldn’t be around, and replace any products you may have that contain the toxins you should avoid. This also applies to toxin-filled environments, such as buildings that contain large amounts of toxic substances.
There are plenty of other steps you can take to prepare yourself for pregnancy, but these are a few of the most important ones. They will not only set your body up better before getting pregnant, but will keep it at its best once you are pregnant, keeping you, and your baby happy.