Preparing your body for pregnancy
If you’re planning to get pregnant you’ll no doubt be planning to improve your lifestyle once you conceive. Late nights out and partying with the girls will be replaced by healthy diets and early nights. But did you know, if you’re trying to conceive, you should actually be making changes to your lifestyle already?
To stand the best chance of conceiving you need to start preparing your body now. And to help you on your way we’ve got our top five tips for preparing the body for pregnancy.
Quit smoking
Smoking, as well as being harmful to you, can be very harmful to your unborn baby. Indeed, studies have shown smoking can be linked to still births and miscarriages. However, giving up smoking can be difficult. Give yourself the best chance and quit long before you fall pregnant. Cut down the number you smoke as you prepare your body for pregnancy and aim to quit altogether before falling pregnant.
Quit drinking
It can be difficult for expectant mums to know what’s right and wrong when it comes to alcohol. Some studies claim one or two glasses of wine is OK while others say alcohol should be avoided altogether. And the same applies to women who are trying to conceive. Some experts say women trying to fall pregnant should avoid alcohol altogether, others say that’s drastic. To be safe, try to stay away from alcohol and remind yourself why you’re doing it!
Take folic acid supplement
Women who are trying to conceive are advised to take a folic acid supplement – a B vitamin – in order to help their baby's growth. Folic acid can help to prevent conditions such as spina bifida and can promote a healthy pregnancy and birth.
Manage your weight
It's important to be at a healthy weight when trying to conceive. If you are underweight there is a chance you will struggle to conceive. If you are overweight you make experience problem through the course of your pregnancy such as high blood pressure and there could be complications at the birth. Follow a healthy eating plan and try to maintain a healthy weight when trying to get pregnant and throughout your pregnancy.
Have plenty of sex
Ok, it’s quite obvious but if you’re trying to fall pregnant the best thing to do is have plenty of sex. Most women are most fertile two weeks before their next period. Work out the dates you are most fertile and make the most of it!
