Your Pre-Pregnancy Health
A woman’s lifestyle has a significant impact on fertility. Diet, exercise, stress, and sleep can all affect getting pregnant. Most women know not to drink alcohol and to limit caffeine once the pregnancy test turns out positive. But what should women change before getting pregnant?
Focus on what you can add
Making diet changes can be difficult. But eating a variety of nutritious foods is crucial for having a healthy pregnancy and baby. Instead of focusing on restriction, think about what nutritious foods can be added to a diet. Fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, protein, and healthy fats are all foods to add for a well-balanced diet. Eating a healthier diet before pregnancy can make sustaining a nutritious diet easier during pregnancy. And while pregnancy cravings will always strike, try to focus on proper nutrition the majority of the time.
Do I need to lose weight?
Being both overweight and underweight can make getting pregnant more challenging. Most often, a healthcare provider will mention weight loss or gain if there is a concern that weight is causing infertility. Some women may be advised to lose or gain some weight to improve the chances of getting pregnant.
Exercise dos and don’ts
Regular exercise is one of the best ways to relieve stress, improve cardiovascular health, and boost energy. Creating a regular exercise habit can set a woman up for a healthier pregnancy, both physically and mentally. However, too much high-intensity exercise can harm a woman’s chances of getting pregnant. Opt for moderate options such as walking, swimming, biking, yoga, or Pilates.
Habits to quit
Some habits are harmful to health all the time, but especially when trying to get pregnant. For example, smoking during pregnancy increases the risk of preterm labor or low birth weight. Smoking after having the baby even increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). While avoiding alcohol during pregnancy is a non-negotiable, abstaining while trying to get pregnant is also a good idea. Women don’t always know about pregnancy right away, so stopping drinking while trying to conceive can help prevent accidentally drinking during pregnancy.
Focus on your mental health
Taking care of mental wellbeing is an essential step in having a healthy pregnancy. Set aside time for leisure activities and self-care. Specific practices like breathing techniques, meditation, or journaling can also help relieve stress and improve health. These habits can also help women sleep better, which is an often-overlooked but critical health habit.
Having a healthy pregnancy
Sometimes women have trouble getting pregnant naturally. While this can be disheartening, infertility is not the end of the road. There are treatment options to help women have a successful pregnancy. For more information, speak with a fertility specialist.
