How to Prepare Your Body for Becoming Pregnant
If you have babies on the brain, then it’s time to start preparing your body for pregnancy. MayoClinic.com recommends visiting your doctor to chat about your lifestyle and health before trying to conceive.
Be honest about your alcohol and caffeine intake, whether you smoke, as well as about any medications or supplements you take. After all, the healthier you are, the better your chances of seeing that positive pregnancy test in the near future.
Things You’ll Need
- Prenatal vitamins
5 Steps to Prepare Your Body for Becoming Pregnant
1. Pop a prenatal.
Even if you are already taking a daily vitamin supplement, it’s important to switch to prenatal vitamins if you are trying to conceive. According to MayoClinic.com, prenatal vitamins contain additional folic acid and iron that can boost your chances of having a healthy pregnancy.
Folic acid helps to prevent spinal cord and brain defects while iron keeps anemia at bay. Talk to your doctor about the best prenatal vitamin for you.
2. Weigh your options.
To support a pregnancy, it is ideal to be at a healthy weight before conceiving. You may be advised by your doctor to gain or lose some weight prior to getting pregnant.
Once you have achieved a healthy weight, continue eating a balanced diet and exercising to boost your chances of getting a baby on board.
3. Just say no.
If you are trying to get pregnant, now is the time to swear off harmful substances like cigarettes, drugs and secondhand smoke. You may also want to refrain from drinking alcohol.
These healthy choices can increase your chances of conceiving, according to KidsHealth.org. The reputable parenting site also recommends reviewing any prescriptions you are taking with your doctor to make sure they would not harm a fetus.
4. Get a shot.
Now is the time to be sure you are up-to-date on your immunizations. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, pregnant women are at a greater risk of developing complications from the flu because of their suppressed immune systems.
So get a flu shot before becoming pregnant and talk to your doctor about being immunized against whooping cough and other dangerous illnesses for expectant mothers and infants.
5. Take control.
If you have been taking birth control to prevent a pregnancy up until this point, it’s time to stop and let nature take its course. MayoClinic.com points out that it is possible to conceive as soon as two weeks after going off the birth control pill.
Still, waiting a full month may help you get a grip on when you ovulate, which is the best time is to try for baby.
An implanted form of birth control or injections could make your road to conception a bit longer, but typically within 12 months of going off long-term birth control, it is possible to conceive.
