getting ready for pregnancy

are you and your partner hoping to add a baby to your family in the next year? Making the decision to add a baby to your family is an exciting step, and you’ll need to journey through the ups and downs of pregnancy. Though you can never be 100% ready for the big changes that come along with carrying a baby for the next nine months, you can do some important things to get your body ready before you even are expecting.

Visit your doctor

When you feel the symptoms of baby fever, it’s wise to head to your doctor and discuss any questions and concerns you may have before you become pregnant. Make sure to bring a list of current medications and discuss any preexisting medical conditions. Many medications that are safe for you to take on a regular basis are not safe for your unborn child. Your doctor may also recommend that you start taking prenatal vitamins and supplements and pursue genetic testing. If you are currently using birth control, your doctor can explain when and how to stop taking it, so you can start trying when the time is right.

Stop risky behaviors

Drinking alcohol, smoking, taking certain medications and handling chemicals can cause harm to your unborn child. If you have a positive pregnancy test, these behaviors must be stopped immediately, but if you are just starting to try to become pregnant, it’s wise to avoid these substances so you can ensure the safety of your baby. “Six months before we started trying, I started eating healthier, my husband and I both stopped drinking alcohol, and I went off all prescriptions and pharmaceuticals,” says Emily Corder, Olathe mom of two. Secondhand smoke can be harmful to you and your baby as well, so consider asking your significant other or any other housemates to stop smoking. Similarly, avoid using chemicals such as pesticides and harsh cleaning products during pregnancy. Consult your doctor for a list of what to avoid.

Get other appointments scheduled

Before you start trying to get pregnant, schedule other doctor appointments that may include testing or X-rays that are harmful for the baby. Dentists often do yearly X-rays. If you know you will be trying to grow your family soon, have your dentist perform the annual X-ray while there is no risk of harming the pregnancy.

Maintain a healthy diet

A healthy diet can help you maintain a healthy weight, give you more energy, get adequate rest and improve overall health. Before you start planning to get pregnant, it won’t hurt to choose healthy meal options and increase foods with folic acid.

Ashely Baugh, mom of three, shares what changes she made before attempting to get pregnant: “I started eating healthier by choosing organic and unprocessed foods, removed a lot of chemicals from our home, including laundry detergents, candles, cleaning products, body washes, shampoos and deodorants. I read various books and started tracking my cycle and ovulation. I also had to change some of my medications.”

Pregnancy is a time of excitement and proof of how amazing our bodies are. These tips to help you get ready for pregnancy can help ensure you have a healthy and happy pregnancy and baby.