Preconception – Preparing Your Body for a Healthy Pregnancy
Prepare Your Body for Conception It is important to prepare your body for conception including achieving an optimal weight through exercise and a healthy diet. Obesity and borderline obesity convey many risks to both mother and baby which can be reduced or eliminated with weight loss. Studies show, losing as little as 5% of your body weight may increase your chances of pregnancy. Underweight individuals also are predisposed to risk factors which can be remedied by proper nutrition and achieving an optimal weight.
Kicking Bad Habits Quitting smoking and certain risk behaviors such as excessive drinking and use of illegal substances are critical to both minimizing your chances of miscarriage, and promoting a healthy pregnancy over nine months of gestation.
Reducing Stress Reducing stress is desirable while trying to conceive. Whether it is sharing your experiences with others in a group setting, or seeking acupuncture and other complimentary therapies, finding a way to reduce stress will increase your likelihood of continuing your course of treatment to promote a healthy pregnancy.
Pregnancy Approved Medications
Review your current medications with your physician to insure both proper dosages and whether your medications are safe to take in pregnancy. There may be alternatives to current medications which are safe during pregnancy and others should be transitioned to prior to conception.
Know Your Medical History
It is important to review one’s own medical history including past immunizations. Patients are encouraged to be up-to-date with immunizations for such conditions as influenza, chicken pox, measles, mumps and rubella to name a few.
Undiagnosed and Untreated Medical Conditions
There are a number of medical conditions which may negatively affect pregnancy, including borderline diabetes and a low functioning thyroid gland. It is important to have a physical examination by either a gynecologist or your primary care physician before trying to conceive or beginning fertility treatments. Many conditions can be easily tested for and treated. The result of treatment can greatly improve both one’s fertility, diminish the chance of miscarriage, and promote a healthy pregnancy.
