Pregnancy is a delicate period where the health of both the mother-to-be and the baby is closely monitored. The time leading up to this miraculous event, where your body undergoes numerous changes and miraculously brings forth new life, is just as important as the pregnancy itself. This is because the better prepared the mother’s body is before conception, the smoother and more comfortable the pregnancy, childbirth, and postnatal period will be both psychologically and physiologically. Therefore, when couples decide to have a child, especially in planned pregnancies, it’s essential to review what needs to be done before conception and make necessary preparations. So, let’s take a look at what to consider before pregnancy and whether your body is ready for it.
Get a general health check-up.
When deciding to have a baby, the first step is to undergo a comprehensive health check-up. In addition to a physical examination, a general health screening, including blood and urine tests, can help identify any potential health issues before getting pregnant. This allows for the early detection of any underlying problems that may arise during pregnancy, allowing you to take preventive measures against certain issues that may arise during such a critical period as pregnancy (such as hypertension, diabetes, thyroid issues, iron deficiency, etc.). Starting treatment for any underlying conditions and allowing the body to recover before getting pregnant can help prevent health problems during pregnancy.
Have a gynaecological examination.
Just as important as a general health screening is for the mother-to-be to have a gynaecological examination before conception. Deciding to have a baby may not always result in pregnancy right away. Sometimes, couples may try for months without success. Often, reproductive system-related issues are among the reasons underlying this difficulty. Conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome, which require long-term treatment and affect the mother-to-be, can make it difficult to conceive and may complicate ongoing pregnancies. Therefore, a gynaecological examination should not be skipped to ensure that the reproductive organs are functioning properly.
Stop hormonal contraception methods.
When you’re ready to have a child and your necessary health checks show no issues, it’s appropriate to discontinue your birth control method. However, some contraceptive methods may not lose their effectiveness immediately after being discontinued. Especially hormonal methods may retain their effects for some time after stopping the medication. Additionally, it may take some time for the body to regain its previous fertility. If pregnancy is planned, this should be taken into account when making decisions.
Review your dietary habits.
Everything you eat during pregnancy not only nourishes you but also feeds the baby growing inside you. Your baby gets all the nutrients it needs from you. Therefore, any incorrect eating habits should be corrected before conception. A healthy and balanced eating routine should be established.
Avoid excessive consumption of fatty, sugary, additive-containing, packaged, and canned foods, and make sure to consume fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains, meat, and dairy products daily.
Quit smoking and alcohol consumption.
The use of harmful substances such as tobacco, alcohol, and drugs during pregnancy can adversely affect the baby’s development. Continued use of such harmful substances, especially in small amounts, during pregnancy can lead to various health problems for both pregnant women and their babies. Conditions such as low birth weight, developmental delay in babies, birth defects, premature birth, and even fetal death may occur. Therefore, these types of habits must be completely abandoned before pregnancy.
Start taking folic acid supplements.
During pregnancy, expectant mothers need to take certain vitamin supplements. Folic acid is the most important of these supplements. The first three months of pregnancy, when the basic foundations of the baby’s organs are laid, are a crucial time in this regard. However, folic acid supplementation should start at least 3 months before pregnancy. Neural tube defects, which directly affect the nervous system, are mainly caused by a deficiency of folic acid. To prevent this condition, expectant mothers should take a daily 400 mcg folic acid supplement starting before pregnancy.
Lose excess weight.
One of the answers to what to pay attention to before becoming pregnant is weight control. Starting pregnancy with excess weight can trigger systemic diseases, such as diabetes, change the shape of childbirth, and lead to delayed recovery after childbirth. If you are considering pregnancy, the ideal time to shape your lifestyle in this direction and start losing excess weight is before pregnancy. Otherwise, trying to lose weight during pregnancy can be risky for both the mother and the baby.
Avoid stress.
Stress plays a significant role not only in the development and progression of many diseases but also in trying to get pregnant. The stress factor is an effect that makes it difficult to conceive. If you are planning to have a baby, removing stress from your life will be beneficial.
Take vitamin supplements if necessary.
Even if your blood values are within normal limits before pregnancy, the need for vitamin and mineral supplementation during pregnancy will increase rapidly, so balanced and adequate nutrition alone may not be enough. Starting with a general multivitamin supplement before conception can help meet the needs of both the baby and the mother. This way, starting before pregnancy, the mother’s body will increase its resistance and strengthen its immunity.
Follow your vaccination schedule.
Some infections and contagious diseases caught during pregnancy pose a vital risk to the baby. The most basic way to protect against these diseases and infections is through vaccination. However, vaccination against diseases such as measles and chickenpox, which provide protection against contagious diseases and contain inactive viruses, especially during pregnancy, is not safe for the baby. Therefore, before planning pregnancy, necessary vaccinations against possible infections should be completed before becoming pregnant.
Be cautious about radiation and medication use.
When trying to conceive, one should be much more cautious about chemical substances in everyday life. Pregnant women should not be exposed to radiation and should not use prescription drugs due to the negative effects they may have on fetal development. Since it may not be possible to know the exact moment of conception, precautions should be taken, radiation should be avoided, and drugs that are not safe to use during pregnancy should not be used without consulting a doctor.
Please note that what needs to be considered before pregnancy generally varies from person to person. In addition to the listed suggestions, the expectant mother should strive to get regular and quality sleep and, if possible, engage in light exercise to make her muscles more resilient to pregnancy.
