Congratulations on your decision to get pregnant!
You’ve probably told a few friends or family members about your decision by now. And chances are you’re being bombarded with pregnancy “advice”. Everyone wants to tell you what to do to have a healthy pregnancy. Sometimes the “advice” is helpful but many times it can be confusing or just plain wrong.
I’m here to help. Here are 7 proven activities which obstetricians have discovered can give you the upper hand on achieving the healthy pregnancy that you desire. The more of these activities you can do before or very early in the pregnancy, the greater your chance of achieving a wonderful pregnancy and a healthy baby!
Educate Yourself
It’s really important that you have reliable informational resources to explain what is happening to you and the baby throughout the pregnancy. There are a lot of reliable sources of information out there. There are a lot of horrible sources too. Here are some of the best places I’ve found to look
- Websites like webmd.com, mayoclinic.com and our very own lifetimewomenshealth.net can provide you with important articles you can use to gain insight into a healthy pregnancy lifestyle.
- We share sources we’ve found to be helpful on our Facebook page.
- Books like What To Expect When You’re Expecting are another source of great info.
- Pregnancy reality TV shows are not a reliable source of pregnancy information. They are created to be sensational and suspenseful. They don’t represent the majority of pregnancies.
Stop Bad Habits
Cigarettes and Alcohol are detrimental to your pregnancy. They can cause direct harm to the developing baby. Before you get pregnant, do what you need to do to stop smoking. If you can stop drinking alcohol before getting pregnant, that’s better. But definitely NO alcohol during any part of pregnancy.
Prenatal Vitamins
Take a prenatal vitamin with folic acid daily. Folic acid has been proven to decrease the risk of certain types of birth defects. Getting an early start can prepare a healthy environment for the baby to be conceived into. And if you don’t get enough calcium in your diet you may consider a calcium supplement.
Eat Healthy Foods
A healthy diet sets the stage for your health and the health of your baby.
- Fruits and vegetables
- Whole Grains
- Lean Meats
- Calcium rich foods (dairy products, broccoli, Eggs)
- Minimize Processed Food
- Minimize or Eliminate Fast Foods
Manage Your Medications
If you are taking medications, it is important to know if they can affect the pregnancy. Consult with you physician to see if your meds are safe to take during pregnancy. If not, change them to a safer one or stop them all together. Don’t do this on your own. You need some help. Remember to stay away from prescription acne treatments if you are trying to get pregnant. And don’t forget to ask about over the counter medications you might take regularly.
Exercise Lose Weight
Exercise is encouraged during pregnancy. Yes, that’s right. It’s good for you to maintain an exercise routine during pregnancy. And there’s no better way to do that than to develop the habit prior to pregnancy. Find something you enjoy doing. Swim, walk, take a low impact class, spin or use a stationary bike. Just do it
A healthy pregnant woman will gain between 25-35 pounds during pregnancy. Much of this is water and baby weight and will be lost soon after delivery. The remaining weight will either be worked off by diet and exercise or will remain. By starting at a lower weight, you can minimize how much weight you’ll carry after baby is born. If you are already overweight or obese, it’s even more important for you to lose weight.
See Your Obstetrician Before You Get Pregnant
Your Obstetrician is a great resource for you when you’ve decided to get pregnant. Although you may do a lot of research, you may still have a lot of questions. Many of my patients are anxious about getting pregnant. This is especially true for those trying to get pregnant for the first time. Your OB can answer those questions and put your mind at ease about one of the most amazing things in your life.
Many of my patients come to see me for a pre-conception evaluation and counseling visit. During this visit I go over your health history with you to see if there’s anything we need to look into before you get pregnant. We will talk about your family history to see if there are any potential inherited illnesses we need to look into. A physical exam can demonstrate any areas for concern with a pregnancy. Blood tests will be ordered which can detect hidden problems which can be dealt with prior to getting pregnant. . We will then work together on a plan catered to your individual needs to achieve a healthy and happy pregnancy. My patients find this to be highly informative visit. I address those questions and concerns that make you the most worried. So be sure to do this as early as you can after making a decision to get pregnant.
Make A Pre-Conception Evaluation Appointment
Make an appointment to see Dr. Wing before you get pregnant.