Before getting pregnant, talk to your healthcare provider about preconception health care. Your provider will want to discuss your health history and any medical conditions you currently have that could affect a pregnancy. They may want to discuss any previous pregnancy problems, medicines you currently are taking, vaccinations you might need, and steps you can take before pregnancy to help prevent certain birth defects. Smoke from other people's cigarettes can damage your baby, so ask your partner, friends and family not to smoke near you. Cut out alcohol During your visit, bring up any questions you have about getting pregnant, and make sure you aren't taking medications that affect fertility or may be unsafe to take during pregnancy.

Pregnancy - NHS

You’re more likely to get pregnant around the time you are ovulating. This is when an egg becomes ready and you are at your most fertile. Being a healthy weight will also help reduce any pregnancy risks, including increased risk of gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, miscarriage, fetal growth restriction and low birth weight. If you’re struggling with reaching a healthy weight, talking with your doctor or a nutritionist can help determine your ideal weight goal and the steps you could take to achieve it.Your visit should cover anything you’re concerned about, from screening for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) to screening for pregnancy readiness. Increases your chances of getting pregnant by reading up on the basics. Planned Parenthood provides a great resource for understanding how pregnancy happens.

pregnant - NHS Trying to get pregnant - NHS

The survey showed that 67% of women plan for three or more months for a holiday, compared to 20% planning for three or more months for a pregnancy. Just under 40% of respondents said they stopped using contraception the same week they made the decision to have a baby, leaving little time to make any change that might affect the health of pregnancy and baby, such as taking folic acid, improving diet and achieving a healthy weight. Drinking in pregnancy can lead to long-term harm to your baby, and the more you drink, the greater the risk.

The amount of weight that a woman should gain during pregnancy depends partially on her pre-pregnancy weight. Experts and real parents agree: If you're partnered, it's important to chat with your future co-parent about some of the biggest parenting issues—like how you'll share child care duties, how you plan to raise your children, working versus staying home, and religious traditions—before you start trying to conceive. Everyone feels overwhelmed from time to time. But where possible, try and cut down on your stress levels or try self-help measures to cope with it. Ensure you’re practising some self-care to prioritise your mental health. These can include: Pregnancy can make some diabetes complications worse, such as eye and kidney problems. So it’s really important to have eye screening and tests for your kidneys before you stop using contraception. Eye problems because of diabetes (diabetic retinopathy) can be treated if caught early, so screening is really important. Evidence about whether the consumption of caffeine in pregnancy is detrimental has been inconclusive. However, it is known that the fetus metabolizes caffeine very slowly, so maternal consumption of caffeine results in prolonged exposure for the fetus. Consumption of typical levels of caffeine has not been associated with any adverse pregnancy outcomes, yet individual studies have shown that caffeine can lead to changes in fetal arousal and heart rate. According to many experts, including the American Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, caffeine intake in pregnant women should be limited to 200 mg per day (equivalent to one 12 oz. cup).

Pregnancy and diabetes | Diabetes UK Pregnancy and diabetes | Diabetes UK

Parents’ weight, diet and health before conception can have profound implications for the safety of the pregnancy, and the growth, development and long-term health of their children.Uncover something? You can make an appointment with a genetic counselor to discuss your concerns and get further testing. For the best outcomes, chronic medical conditions should be treated and under good control prior to attempting pregnancy. Certain infections, including Zika virus, rubella, toxoplasmosis, and parvovirus B19 can pose risks for the fetus. Additionally, not all medicines are safe to take when you're pregnant or planning a pregnancy. For example, supplements containing Vitamin A (retinol or cod liver oil), aren't recommended during pregnancy as it can negatively affect the health of your baby. That's why it's important to visit your doctor before trying to conceive and discuss any prescriptions, over the counter medication or supplements you're taking. They might recommend changing doses, switching to something different or stopping it. Please do not stop taking any medications without talking to your doctor. When you're planning for a baby you should consider taking folic acid at least three months before you start trying. Folic acid, or folate, the natural form of folic acid found in food, is one of the B vitamins - vitamin B9. Folic acid reduces the risk of your baby having a neural tube defect, a condition where the baby’s brain and spinal cord does not form normally, which is seen in cases of spina bifida.

Planning for Pregnancy | Preconception Care | CDC Planning for Pregnancy | Preconception Care | CDC

Making your health a priority should always be the norm, regardless of whether you're trying to conceive or not. But we get it - sometimes life gets in the way. However, when you're preparing for pregnancy, it's important to be in the best possible health to improve your chances of getting pregnant and lower any pregnancy risks. In fact, it's so important, the World Health Organisation (WHO) considers preconception health care essential for all women of reproductive age, in case of any unplanned pregnancies. Some women's cycles are not exactly 28 days. Adjust the cycle length if your cycle is shorter or longer Having your teeth examined now gives you time to get gingivitis (inflammation of the gums) under control and get x-rays (which should be avoided during pregnancy) if you need them. If you want more of a challenge, try vigorous activities like jogging, cycling, or uphill hiking. You get additional health benefits with more exercise. If you’re already relatively active, you might try moving between 150 and 300 minutes each week. In some cases, the effects of a particular medication may be unclear in pregnant women. In these cases, a decision must be made regarding the necessity of the medication for the mother's health versus possible or unknown risks to the fetus.

A whopping 60 percent of your body is made up of water. Keep yourself hydrated for optimal health. Women should drink 9 cups of water each day. When you become pregnant, you may want to increase this amount. Ask your doctor for guidelines.