It's never too early to start planning if you're thinking about becoming a parent because having a child can completely transform your life. Pre-conception planning is preparing ahead of time to increase the likelihood of a joyful and healthy pregnancy. Each individual's experience will vary slightly, but it may include aspects of your relationship, finances, physical and emotional well-being, and exercise routine.
What factors should be considered when planning a pregnancy?
When making plans for a pregnancy, a number of things should be taken into account, such as age, general health, lifestyle choices, medical background, reproductive health, and fertility status. To enhance the likelihood of a healthy pregnancy and infant, it is imperative that you take care of any pre-existing medical concerns and optimize your health before attempting to conceive.
How to prepare for a planned pregnancy?
1. Keep track of your cycle
Determining your fertile window can be accomplished by monitoring your cycle. The six days of the month that you are most likely to become pregnant are known as your reproductive window. It includes the five days leading up to and including the day of ovulation, which occurs when one of your ovaries releases an egg that may be fertilized by a sperm. You can pinpoint the exact time of your reproductive window and ovulation by keeping track of the duration of your cycle and the day of your menstruation. This can assist you in determining the ideal moment to have conception sex. A cycle lasts from 21 to 35 days on average. Determining your ovulation time can be more difficult if your cycle is erratic.
2. Schedule a pre-conception checkup with your OB-GYN
If your pregnancy test results are positive, you may know that you will need to make appointments with your doctor, but what occurs at your pre-conception checkup? While not required, consulting your doctor before becoming pregnant could be beneficial. When you begin your family planning journey, you can discuss any worries you may have with your doctor and any advice they may offer (more on this below).
3. Stop contraception
Although it may seem apparent, you should discuss the best way to stop using any form of contraception with your healthcare professional if you already use an implant, intrauterine device (IUD), or pill. Depending on the kind you're taking, you might be able to become pregnant again right away. For some, on the other hand, it can take many months for their cycle to return to normal.
4. Take a prenatal supplement
When preparing your body for pregnancy, it can be challenging to choose which vitamins, minerals, and supplements are the best. However, folic acid is one to become familiar with. It is advised that in the weeks leading up to and including the first trimester, you take 400 micrograms or more of folic acid each day. As your child grows and develops, it can aid in preventing neural tube problems.
5. Steer clear of toxins
Knowing what not to do in addition to what can help might be beneficial when attempting to conceive and once you are pregnant. Avoiding dangerous substances is something you should attempt to do before getting pregnant. This can apply to alcohol, tobacco, and recreational drug use.
6. Inquire about your family’s medical history
Even though you might know a lot about your medical history, speaking with family members could provide you with more information. Discuss any genetic disorders or chronic illnesses that may run in your family with your partner's family, your own family, and other relatives if at all possible.
You may want to ask your relatives whether they have ever had problems becoming pregnant and how long it took them to become pregnant. Although it could seem like a private discussion, it might provide you with some understanding of your conception process.
7. Get vaccinated
Your doctor might inquire about your current immunization status during your pre-conception visit. If you're not sure, you can find out if your health record has information about your vaccinations by talking to a family member or your doctor. In order to guard against specific strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV) and the flu, you can also choose to have extra vaccinations.
Certain vaccinations are not advised to be received while pregnant, therefore your doctor might advise getting them before you become pregnant. These include:
- The HPV vaccine
- Measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine
- Live influenza vaccine (nasal flu vaccine)
- Varicella (chicken pox) vaccine
- Some travel vaccines, such as yellow fever, typhoid fever, and Japanese encephalitis
8. Go to the dentist
Did you know that when you're pregnant, your risk of gum disease increases? Your body's response to plaque can be affected by your elevated hormone levels, which can result in bleeding and swollen gums (also known as gingivitis).
You might include "going to the dentist" on your pregnant checklist along with scheduling an appointment with your doctor because dental health is often regarded as an integral component of overall health. It's critical to maintain good oral hygiene by scheduling regular examinations. Practice proper oral hygiene by flossing and brushing twice a day. If you experience continuous gum discomfort or bleeding, consult your dentist.
9. Maintain a balanced and nutritious diet
When you're trying to get pregnant, it might be a fantastic idea to look at your diet and make sure you're eating balanced, healthful meals in addition to researching new vitamins and nutrients that might aid you during pregnancy. This is a helpful self-care action. Consume a diet rich in fruits, nuts, vegetables, leafy greens, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, and other produce to get plenty of iron, calcium, folic acid, and protein.
10. Exercise regularly and stay fit
Exercise is strongly advised throughout early pregnancy and while attempting to conceive, which makes sense given how beneficial it is for your body and mind to move and stretch every day. Both before and during pregnancy, exercise can help you prepare for and manage the early signs of pregnancy.
It's fine to keep exercising while pregnant if you're already accustomed to it. Think about the kind of activity you wish to perform. You should avoid contact sports and activities that could cause you to trip and fall after you get pregnant. This is also not the time to start a new, vigorous hobby. Consult your doctor before beginning any new exercise program, and seek their advice if you have concerns about your present regimen.
11. Do your Kegels
Kegel exercises and other pelvic floor exercises can also help your body get ready for pregnancy and delivery. Although you may not be familiar with them, pelvic floor exercises may have been mentioned to you. The muscles surrounding and supporting the organs in your pelvis, such as your bladder, bowels, and uterus, make up your pelvic floor.
A personal trainer is not necessary to assist you with your Kegel exercises. All you have to do to contract them is squeeze your vagina as though you're trying to stop yourself from peeing, and then squeeze your bum as though you're trying to stop yourself from pooping. Gentle pelvic floor exercises are available online, and the best part is that you can perform them anywhere without anyone noticing.
12. Take care of your mental health and make sure to rest and manage stress
It is equally as crucial to look after your emotional as well as your physical health. While getting ready to become pregnant can be thrilling, it can also be very stressful. I mean, this is a significant shift in life. You may discover that journaling, yoga, or meditation assist you with stress management. In a similar vein, getting enough sleep might assist in reducing stress.
Soula app here 24/7 to provide women with emotional and informational support during the most challenging periods of their lives, aiming to prevent anxiety, burnout, and depression through neuroscience techniques and conversational AI.
13. Plan your budget
Having a baby, taking parental leave, and getting pregnant can all impact your finances. It's hard to ignore the truth that newborns can be costly even when they're small. Although you don't have to pull out the spreadsheet and calculator before getting pregnant, it might ease your mind to account for some of the known medical expenses as well as any major expenditures you may want to make. To reduce out-of-pocket expenses, check your medical insurance to see which hospitals or groups are favored or covered.
What does a pregnant woman need?
Pregnancy is a wonderful time, but it's also a critical time to safeguard your health and the health of your developing child. A lengthy list of dos and don'ts for each trimester will probably be provided by your doctor, but there are certain necessities that all pregnant mothers should know about.
Essential needs of a pregnant woman include:
- Meeting nutritional needs
- Managing health conditions
- Practicing healthy habits
- Reducing stress
- Preparing for childbirth and parenting
It's never too early to start planning if you're thinking about becoming a parent because having a child can completely transform your life. Pre-conception planning is preparing ahead of time to increase the likelihood of a joyful and healthy pregnancy. Each individual's experience will vary slightly, but it may include aspects of your relationship, finances, physical and emotional well-being, and exercise routine.
What factors should be considered when planning a pregnancy?
When making plans for a pregnancy, a number of things should be taken into account, such as age, general health, lifestyle choices, medical background, reproductive health, and fertility status. To enhance the likelihood of a healthy pregnancy and infant, it is imperative that you take care of any pre-existing medical concerns and optimize your health before attempting to conceive.
How to prepare for a planned pregnancy?
1. Keep track of your cycle
Determining your fertile window can be accomplished by monitoring your cycle. The six days of the month that you are most likely to become pregnant are known as your reproductive window. It includes the five days leading up to and including the day of ovulation, which occurs when one of your ovaries releases an egg that may be fertilized by a sperm. You can pinpoint the exact time of your reproductive window and ovulation by keeping track of the duration of your cycle and the day of your menstruation. This can assist you in determining the ideal moment to have conception sex. A cycle lasts from 21 to 35 days on average. Determining your ovulation time can be more difficult if your cycle is erratic.
2. Schedule a pre-conception checkup with your OB-GYN
If your pregnancy test results are positive, you may know that you will need to make appointments with your doctor, but what occurs at your pre-conception checkup? While not required, consulting your doctor before becoming pregnant could be beneficial. When you begin your family planning journey, you can discuss any worries you may have with your doctor and any advice they may offer (more on this below).
3. Stop contraception
Although it may seem apparent, you should discuss the best way to stop using any form of contraception with your healthcare professional if you already use an implant, intrauterine device (IUD), or pill. Depending on the kind you're taking, you might be able to become pregnant again right away. For some, on the other hand, it can take many months for their cycle to return to normal.
4. Take a prenatal supplement
When preparing your body for pregnancy, it can be challenging to choose which vitamins, minerals, and supplements are the best. However, folic acid is one to become familiar with. It is advised that in the weeks leading up to and including the first trimester, you take 400 micrograms or more of folic acid each day. As your child grows and develops, it can aid in preventing neural tube problems.
5. Steer clear of toxins
Knowing what not to do in addition to what can help might be beneficial when attempting to conceive and once you are pregnant. Avoiding dangerous substances is something you should attempt to do before getting pregnant. This can apply to alcohol, tobacco, and recreational drug use.
6. Inquire about your family’s medical history
Even though you might know a lot about your medical history, speaking with family members could provide you with more information. Discuss any genetic disorders or chronic illnesses that may run in your family with your partner's family, your own family, and other relatives if at all possible.
You may want to ask your relatives whether they have ever had problems becoming pregnant and how long it took them to become pregnant. Although it could seem like a private discussion, it might provide you with some understanding of your conception process.
7. Get vaccinated
Your doctor might inquire about your current immunization status during your pre-conception visit. If you're not sure, you can find out if your health record has information about your vaccinations by talking to a family member or your doctor. In order to guard against specific strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV) and the flu, you can also choose to have extra vaccinations.
Certain vaccinations are not advised to be received while pregnant, therefore your doctor might advise getting them before you become pregnant. These include:
- The HPV vaccine
- Measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine
- Live influenza vaccine (nasal flu vaccine)
- Varicella (chicken pox) vaccine
- Some travel vaccines, such as yellow fever, typhoid fever, and Japanese encephalitis
8. Go to the dentist
Did you know that when you're pregnant, your risk of gum disease increases? Your body's response to plaque can be affected by your elevated hormone levels, which can result in bleeding and swollen gums (also known as gingivitis).
You might include "going to the dentist" on your pregnant checklist along with scheduling an appointment with your doctor because dental health is often regarded as an integral component of overall health. It's critical to maintain good oral hygiene by scheduling regular examinations. Practice proper oral hygiene by flossing and brushing twice a day. If you experience continuous gum discomfort or bleeding, consult your dentist.
9. Maintain a balanced and nutritious diet
When you're trying to get pregnant, it might be a fantastic idea to look at your diet and make sure you're eating balanced, healthful meals in addition to researching new vitamins and nutrients that might aid you during pregnancy. This is a helpful self-care action. Consume a diet rich in fruits, nuts, vegetables, leafy greens, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, and other produce to get plenty of iron, calcium, folic acid, and protein.
10. Exercise regularly and stay fit
Exercise is strongly advised throughout early pregnancy and while attempting to conceive, which makes sense given how beneficial it is for your body and mind to move and stretch every day. Both before and during pregnancy, exercise can help you prepare for and manage the early signs of pregnancy.
It's fine to keep exercising while pregnant if you're already accustomed to it. Think about the kind of activity you wish to perform. You should avoid contact sports and activities that could cause you to trip and fall after you get pregnant. This is also not the time to start a new, vigorous hobby. Consult your doctor before beginning any new exercise program, and seek their advice if you have concerns about your present regimen.
11. Do your Kegels
Kegel exercises and other pelvic floor exercises can also help your body get ready for pregnancy and delivery. Although you may not be familiar with them, pelvic floor exercises may have been mentioned to you. The muscles surrounding and supporting the organs in your pelvis, such as your bladder, bowels, and uterus, make up your pelvic floor.
A personal trainer is not necessary to assist you with your Kegel exercises. All you have to do to contract them is squeeze your vagina as though you're trying to stop yourself from peeing, and then squeeze your bum as though you're trying to stop yourself from pooping. Gentle pelvic floor exercises are available online, and the best part is that you can perform them anywhere without anyone noticing.
12. Take care of your mental health and make sure to rest and manage stress
It is equally as crucial to look after your emotional as well as your physical health. While getting ready to become pregnant can be thrilling, it can also be very stressful. I mean, this is a significant shift in life. You may discover that journaling, yoga, or meditation assist you with stress management. In a similar vein, getting enough sleep might assist in reducing stress.
Soula app here 24/7 to provide women with emotional and informational support during the most challenging periods of their lives, aiming to prevent anxiety, burnout, and depression through neuroscience techniques and conversational AI.
13. Plan your budget
Having a baby, taking parental leave, and getting pregnant can all impact your finances. It's hard to ignore the truth that newborns can be costly even when they're small. Although you don't have to pull out the spreadsheet and calculator before getting pregnant, it might ease your mind to account for some of the known medical expenses as well as any major expenditures you may want to make. To reduce out-of-pocket expenses, check your medical insurance to see which hospitals or groups are favored or covered.
What does a pregnant woman need?
Pregnancy is a wonderful time, but it's also a critical time to safeguard your health and the health of your developing child. A lengthy list of dos and don'ts for each trimester will probably be provided by your doctor, but there are certain necessities that all pregnant mothers should know about.
Essential needs of a pregnant woman include:
- Meeting nutritional needs
- Managing health conditions
- Practicing healthy habits
- Reducing stress
- Preparing for childbirth and parenting
