Trying to conceive a child is such a big moment in a woman’s life, and for some there is a lot of preparation that goes into the decision to try to conceive. Bringing a little life into the world that you are responsible for taking care of is a daunting task and it begins in the womb – for some it begins even before conception. In order to be as ready as you can be to begin growing life, there are a few steps you can take in order to make this life transition smoothly. Having a child is a big change, but so is pregnancy, so preparing ahead of time is not a bad thing. By being more mindful of your health and preparing for your mind and body to change you’ll be more equipped to begin your pregnancy.
Making Healthy Lifestyle Changes
Before you decide to get pregnant, take some time to ensure your body is as healthy as possible for you and your baby. Eating healthy, visiting your doctor, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising, and managing any illnesses are also goals to meet during the time before your pregnancy. Make sure your shots are up to date, see a dentist, and get lots of sleep now while you still have the chance. Find the pain points in your health regimen and remedy them now before you have a baby because while you’re pregnant, or after you have a little one, things will not get any easier to change.
Talk to your doctor about any pre-existing conditions and how they will be affected by pregnancy. If you suffer from minor symptoms caused by GERD (Gastroesophageal reflux disease), for instance, such as heartburn or boating, they could get worse during pregnancy. Knowing how to help those symptoms, or at least be prepared for them, is a great first step in getting your body ready for pregnancy.
Stop Unhealthy Lifestyle Choices Ahead of Time
No one is perfect and we all have some sort of unhealthy vice. Before getting pregnant, not after, you’ll want to stop any unhealthy lifestyle choices. Not only will this ensure any unhealthy choices don’t have any part of your pregnancy, but it will also ensure that you don’t have to worry about quitting those habits while pregnant, which can be harder. It can seem like a no-brainer to make sure you aren’t doing any drugs or drinking alcohol during pregnancy, but in 2012, an estimated 5.9 percent of pregnant women in the US used illicit drugs, and around 8.5 percent drank alcohol during pregnancy. Whether your lifestyle choices involve drugs, alcohol, smoking, or even just unhealthy eating, you’ll want to begin working on those issues before pregnancy so that you’re making healthy lifestyle choices before you’re pregnant.
Preparing for your Changing Body
The biological change within your body when you are pregnant is astounding. Pregnancy doesn’t just create a big belly, it changes a whole slew of systems and functions. In order to prepare for your changing body, do as much research as you can. Read about how to moisturize to reduce stretch marks, why some women experience varicose veins, and how great your nails will look after taking prenatal vitamins. Read the What to Expect books, talk to your friends and family members, and get used to the idea that your body may never be the same – which is not necessarily a bad thing. Learning about what your body will be doing in it’s process of creating life will help you better understand what changes you’ll need to make to help make the transition easier.
Create Good Habits
Before trying to create life, create some good habits. Start taking a prenatal vitamin now. Many doctors recommend that you begin taking vitamins like folic acid before getting pregnant in order to prevent birth defects. Start visiting your friends and family members with small children and begin learning how to take care of a child from diaper changing to parenting. Maybe you begin meditating, taking a weekly workout class, or start reading more. The more healthy habits you create for yourself now, the more ingrained they will be once you’re pregnant and once you have a little one of your own. Start saving money and practicing good spending habits. Keep in touch with your loved ones a little more frequently. These changes may seem small, but you’d be surprised the difference they can make while preparing your body for pregnancy.
Preparing Mentally
While preparing for pregnancy, be sure to take some time to prepare yourself mentally. Spend time with your spouse, sleep in, go skydiving, and take time for yourself because once you become pregnant, your life will begin to revolve around a different epicenter. Get used to the fact that how you view love will change forever, your weekends won’t be as carefree as they once were, and you’ll begin to worry more than you ever did before. Pregnancy and parenthood is beautiful, but it can also be scary and overwhelming, so talk to others and don’t diminish the change your mental state will take once this all happens for you. It may be helpful to begin thinking about the important lessons you’d want your children to know, to make mental preparations for how your body will change, and tell your spouse what you’ll need from them. Having a baby takes a toll on the whole body, both physically and mentally, so prepare from all sides.
Making a ton of changes the second you find out you are pregnant can be extremely overwhelming, so take some time before you start trying to conceive to make some of these changes gradually. Drink a little less coffee, go on a few more dates with your spouse, and eat a little healthier in the months leading up to conception and the changes won’t seem as drastic – that is until your little one arrives and your entire world changes on a dime.