Five things you should do before you try to get pregnant

Wednesday, 1 August 2012 2:35 PM

Are you thinking about having a baby? Having a child is one of the most amazing things you can do in life and many people credit their children were changing their lives – and themselves – for the better.

But having a baby is also a very big commitment and if you're considering becoming a parent there is a lot to consider. Here we present the five things you must do before having a baby.

Give up drinking and smoking
It's an obvious one but it is very important. Not only are smoking and drinking harmful to unborn babies, if you smoke or drink while trying to conceive you may find it difficult to get pregnant.

Giving up smoking can be difficult and, for heavy drinkers, quitting drinking is also a challenge but you can get help from your local doctors surgery including nicotine patches, counseling sessions and even hypnotherapy.

Start eating healthily
If you are hoping to get pregnant you will give yourself the best possible chance by getting your body as healthy as can be. Start eating more fruit and vegetables so you are getting all the nutrients and vitamins you need. Eat lean meats and drink plenty of water.

Get your weight in order
When it comes to getting pregnant all experts agree that you have a much better chance of conceiving and of having a healthy pregnancy if you are at a healthy weight. Being overweight or underweight can cause you problems when conceiving and can even be harmful to the baby should you get pregnant. If you are struggling with your weight speak to your doctor, he or she will be able to advise you on the best cause of action.

Sort out finances
It's surprising how much that tiny bundle of joy can cost. From essentials like nappies and baby food to cots and prams and of course baby clothes, babies are expensive. Plus, most families have to reassess their work situation when a baby comes along, taking a decreased wage during maternity leave for example. It's important to work out your finances before you decide to have a baby.

Think it through
Finally it's important to remember how big a decision having a child is. You are making a massive commitment for the rest of your life and your world is about to change. Of course having a child is more often than not a wonderful thing to do but be sure you're doing it for the right reasons.

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?

Foods to avoid when pregnant

Being pregnant is usually a wonderful time. Those nine months of carrying a baby that will soon change your life – for the better – are supposed to be one of the most special times of your life. However, being pregnancy can also be stressful. If this is your first child, especially, pregnancy can be daunting.

Five health checks you should do at home

If you catch an illness early on you have much more chance of treating it and making a full recovery. It is for this reason that you should go to your doctor whenever you find something unusual or you don't feel yourself. However there are also some basic health checks you can – and should – do at home.