Once the decision is made that you and your partner are going to try for a baby, life can get very exciting and stressful all at once. There are many things that go into trying to get pregnant and one of the most important parts is to keep yourself healthy through it all. Not only do you want to be healthy for your baby, but you also want to be healthy for yourself and your own well-being through the pregnancy.
To be healthy can mean many things. You will want to focus on your physical and mental well-being to ensure you are taking the proper care of yourself. If these are not parts of yourself that you currently keep up on, now is a better time than any to get started. As you set up these habits before the baby comes, you will have a better routine in place to go back to once the baby is here and you can continue your health journey.
Updating Your Diet
It is known that while pregnant there are specific types of food and drinks to avoid, and that goes the same during the beginning stages. First and foremost, taking a look at your diet and seeing where there could be changes made is important. If you have the ability to add healthier foods in place of junk food, it is wise to do so. You will want to focus on eating from all the food groups such as fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and dairy.
Watching your fish intake can also be important. Some fish have very high levels of mercury and can be a danger to a developing child. Eating foods with a high folic acid level such as citrus fruits, leafy greens, and whole grains can also help against any possible birth defects in the spine and head.
Keep Up Exercise
Being physically active can be beneficial at any stage of pregnancy. Giving yourself the chance to be more fit can help make labor and pregnancy easier for you and your body. Starting an exercise routine mixed with a better diet can also help get your weight to the desired number. Getting to the right weight can help with fertility and fetal health, as well as your own health.
Stop Unhealthy Habits
Similar to how junk food can negatively affect your body, so can drinking and smoking. If you are hoping to get pregnant, it could be the perfect time to try to quit those habits. Excessive drinking can make conceiving a baby much harder and then affect the baby while it is growing. Slowing down to just a few drinks or nothing at all can show benefits in your pregnancy journey as well as your own health.
When it comes to smoking, it could be good to stop smoking a few months before you conceive. This can help get the tobacco out of your system and also show yourself that you don’t need to rely on it. Smoking can create a delay in conception and possibly affect fertility as well. Both smoking and drinking can affect a woman’s health both inside and out.
Look Inside Yourself
Your mental health is as much as important as your physical health. During the time you are trying to conceive, it is important to not stress yourself out too much and to reflect on any emotions you may be having. Exercise, journaling, talking to the people around you, and finding time to unwind can be vital. Major stress can affect the possibility of conceiving.
You are the most important part of being able to conceive a child. It is crucial that you are taking proper care of yourself and making sure you are healthy both inside and out as you try to have a baby with your partner.