Health Changes Before Trying For A Baby

What you should quit doing

Many women who are thinking about trying to conceive get quite excited about taking folic acid supplements, which are well-known to be good for unborn babies. It's the things that you should stop doing that are often harder. Let's take a look at stuff that is not compatible with trying to conceive, or being pregnant.

Drugs

Weed during pregnancy may not be terrible, except for the fact that most people use it in combination with tobacco which can have very significant effects. Cocaine does the same thing to a fetus as it does to its mother, except much stronger and with an effect that lasts longer. Speed does much the same, and it also increases the risk of miscarriage and premature birth. Heroin, meanwhile, is infamous for its addictive powers. Heroin babies have to go through long and painful withdrawal processes. Enough said. Drugs is a bad combination with pregnancy, and when you are trying to conceive you can assume you are pregnant at least during the second half of your cycle.

Smoking cigarettes

Cigarettes harm the baby's oxygen supply, increase its heart rate, and heighten the risk of lung problems. Baby's born to smokers have lower birth weights, and also a bigger chance of being stillborn or miscarried. "Just one cigarette" is not safe either, but the risk of complications does go up with each cigarette smoked something that also applies to second hand smoke. Quitting smoking before trying to conceive is your best option, and encourage your partner to do the same if he smokes.

Drinking alcohol

Few people are aware that as little as one to four drinks a week can cause Fetal Alcohol Syndrome in pregnant women. The risk is especially great if the expectant mother has four or more drinks in one evening. No amount of alcohol is safe during pregnancy, and everyone who is trying to conceive should remember that they may just be pregnant.

Regularly indulging in junk food

Junk food is low in nutrition, and high in fat. It breeds obesity and nutritional deficiencies. There are plenty of healthy "fast food" options of course, including those you can prepare in your own home.

Raw meats and cheeses and some fish

Raw meats and cheeses can contain a wide range of bacteria that can harm an unborn baby, most notably listeria. For this reason, only well-cooked meats and pasteurized milk and cheese should be consumed during pregnancy and while you are trying to get pregnant. Raw fish is also a problem, but bacteria aren't the only worry here. Mackerel, swordfish and some tuna are all high in mercury and should be avoided while you are pregnant. Low-mercury fish like canned tuna, carp, and cod should be eaten in moderation.

What you should start doing

Now for the positive health changes that can increase your fertility and give your future baby a great start in life!

Exercise regularly

Exercise is helps you stay at a healthy weight and keeps you fit. A healthy weight increases your fertility and lessens your odds of gestational diabetes and other pregnancy complications. Being fit will make your pregnancy a lot easier to get through, and will help tremendously with postpartum recovery.

Eat well

A healthy, varied diet is reflected in your fertility. It also ensures that your teeny embryo is as healthy as possible, right at the start. Consuming too many calories is a bad idea, but the foods that make up those calories deserve more attention that the number of calories. Make sure to incorporate plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables into your diet, and stay away from trans fats and refined sugar.

READ Newsflash: If you are trying to conceive, you need to take folic acid AND B12!

Folic acid

Folic acid is the only vitamin that has been proven to have almost magical abilities by taking 400 mg daily for a few months before you ditch your birth control, you significantly reduce the risk that your future baby will be born with neural tube defects, like spina bifida for example. Don't forget about other vitamins and minerals either. Get tested for nutritional deficiencies and encourage your partner to do the same. Then, take a multivitamin and work on your nutrition.