A healthy pregnancy starts, in many ways, before you conceive and begin gestating a new life. When you’re planning on becoming pregnant or trying to conceive, take steps proactively to prepare your body to support and sustain a healthy pregnancy. The right prenatal care and preparation benefits both mother and baby.
Dr. Mary Grace Bridges and the experienced OBGYN team at Women’s Health Partners of the Permian Basin provide care before, during, and after your pregnancy. Here are some of the tips Dr. Bridges gives her patients from around the Odessa and Midland, Texas, areas about preparing your body for pregnancy.
Pregnancy demands a lot from your body. Every nutrient and vitamin needed for your baby’s growth comes from you. Prenatal vitamins build up your reserves of nutrients essential for pregnancy, including folic acid.
Insufficient folic acid in your system increases your risk of birth defects and other pregnancy problems. Use a daily vitamin containing 400 micrograms of folic acid once you start trying to conceive.
Smoking tobacco during your pregnancy increases your risk of premature birth, low birth weight, and child loss due to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). It’s not always simple to quit, so start the process before you become pregnant. Talk to Dr. Bridges about available smoking cessation support.
Alcohol abuse harms fetal development during pregnancy, resulting in elevated risks of premature birth, as well post-birth developmental disorders in affected children. And, drinking is often not great for your fertility, either, as alcohol can affect your hormones and throw off your ovulation schedule. When preparing for pregnancy, find other ways to celebrate or relax.
There’s one other harmful substance you should reduce or give up when preparing for pregnancy – and it’s one that many rely on. Caffeine creates harmful impacts on pregnancy. Cut back your intake to no more than that found in two cups of coffee a day. Watch out for hidden caffeine sources, such as dark chocolate.
A healthy, balanced diet with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables gives your body the nutrients it needs to become pregnant and stay strong during pregnancy. Make sure your diet includes whole grains, lean proteins, and some low-fat dairy, and cut back on highly processed foods containing large amounts of sodium or fat.
Regular physical activity and exercise improves your strength and helps you maintain a healthy body weight. Pregnant people should be at a healthy weight. Being overweight can create medical problems during your pregnancy, while being underweight increases the risk of low birth weight for your baby.
Stress spikes your hormones and blood pressure, interferes with your sleep, and isn’t good for your pregnancy. While preparing for pregnancy, consider your stress load.
Do you need to develop new strategies for stress management, seek additional support in aspects of your life that cause you stress, or escape from abuse or domestic violence? Dr. Bridges can help with all of these parts of your prenatal care.
For comprehensive pregnancy support, contact Women’s Health Partners of the Permian Basin. Schedule your appointment online, or call now to book.
