How to Prepare your Body for Pregnancy

The moment you decided to have a baby start taking a multi vitamin or prenatal vitamins which you can buy over the counter. It is very important that your body has a proper supply of folic acid. It is recommended that you start getting folic acid at least three months before trying to conceive. Folic acid in your diet lowers the chance of having a child with a neural tube defect such as spina bifida.

Have a check up and talk with your obstetrician about your health and pregnancy. Go over all medications and supplements you are taking.  Your obstetrician can make suggestions on what you should continue to take and what should be stopped or replaced until after the birth of your baby.

You need to be sure you are up-to-date on your vaccinations. Your immunity will help protect your baby.

Eliminate all alcohol, any drugs that are not recommended by your doctor, and cigarettes.

Eliminate as much stress from your life as possible. This is a hard one but notice I did not say all stress.

Eat healthier foods. Foods such as leafy green vegetables, citrus fruits, nuts and fortified whole grains contain folic acid. Drink at three eight-ounce glasses of skim milk each day to get enough calcium. You can also get calcium from cottage cheese, low-fat yogurt, canned salmon, sardines, rice and cheese. It would also be a good idea to decrease or eliminate your caffeine intake.

Add an exercise to your daily routine. Exercise by Walking, Swimming, Mild Strength Training, and/or Mild Weight Lifting. You could also try Pregnancy Aerobics or Yoga.