Improving your chances by preparing for pregnancy

It is important that you and your partner get off to the best possible start for the much wanted pregnancy. Preparing for pregnancy will not only increase your chance of achieving a pregnancy but may also decrease the risk of complications to both mother and fetus.

Lifestyle and diet

Most people know that they have to eat healthy, with foods from all 4 food groups, when pregnant. But paying attention and improving your diet is very important even before the pregnancy begins. Making sure that you consume enough folic acid between diet and vitamins before pregnancy will decrease the incidence of neural tube defects (such as spina bifida for example). Beginning at least one month before conception and continuing through the first three months of pregnancy, women should take a daily vitamin supplement containing at least 400 mcg of folic acid. Higher dosages are indicated for special-risk groups. A dosage of 1 mg per day is recommended for women with diabetes mellitus or epilepsy. Mothers who have given birth to children with neural tube defects should take 4 mg of folic acid per day for subsequent pregnancies.

Also, being overweight or underweight can affect normal ovulation, reduce the chance of getting pregnant, increase pregnancy complications and the risks associated with anesthesia etc. If your body mass index is above 30 you need a supervised weight loss program. If your body mass index is less than 20 then you may also need to go on a sensible eating program to correct it. We can calculate your BMI in the office and help you move toward your ideal weight.

Finally, getting in shape at least three months before you conceive makes it easier to continue exercise during pregnancy, and being physically fit does help during labor. Aerobic exercise can improve your mood and energy level and helps you achieve a healthy pre-pregnancy weight. You'll also be less vulnerable to the hormonal swings. You should always consult your doctor before starting any new exercise program, and start slowly and gradually build up your endurance.

Give up smoking. Women who smoke reduce their chance of successful pregnancy. Women who smoke during pregnancy also increase the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome), low birth weight babies, miscarriages, and behavioral problems for their child later in life.