How To Prepare Yourself For A Healthy Pregnancy

How To Prepare Yourself For A Healthy Pregnancy

There are several key things you can do to prepare yourself for a healthy pregnancy:

Preconception checkup:  Schedule a visit with your doctor or midwife for a preconception checkup. This will allow them to discuss your family health history, identify any potential risks, and ensure you're up-to-date on vaccinations 
Folic acid: Start taking a daily prenatal vitamin with 400 micrograms of folic acid at least one month before you try to conceive. Folic acid helps prevent major birth defects of the brain and spine 
Healthy diet: Eat a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and low-fat dairy. This will provide you and your baby with the essential nutrients for development

Exercise: Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise most days of the week. Exercise can improve your overall health and make it easier to manage weight gain during pregnancy

Maintain a healthy weight: Being overweight or underweight can increase the risk of complications during pregnancy. Talk to your doctor about a healthy weight range for you.

Avoid harmful substances:  Avoid alcohol, smoking, and recreational drugs. These substances can be harmful to your baby's development 

Manage stress: Chronic stress can impact fertility and pregnancy. Find healthy ways to manage stress, such as yoga, meditation, or spending time in nature.

Here are some additional resources you may find helpful:

• March of Dimes: marchofdimes.org
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): cdc.gov
• American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG): acog.org