Preparing for a baby is one of the most terrific decisions done in a couples’ lifetime. But for wise parents who are thinking of their own future and their family’s, it’s not just a matter of preparing a baby but preparing for a healthy baby. How can this be achieved?
1. Couples should pay attention to their health before conception. Caring for a child’s health should start three to six months before birth.
2. Practice good nutrition. Even before conception, couples should begin to eat healthy foods, not only for their own health, but for the success of good conception and for their future health. Eat plenty of fruits, green leafy vegetables, whole grains, milk, orange juice and fish. These foods contain essential vitamins and minerals to help the mother obtain a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby.
3. Improve eating habits like eating three full meals a day, and cook foods by steaming or boiling instead of frying.
4. Reduce or eliminate caffeine from coffees and chocolates.
3. Start taking vitamin supplements especially folic acid. Folic acid is needed together with prenatal vitamins to improve the health of the woman and so with the baby.
4. Attain and maintain your normal weight. If you are over weight there may be chances of getting pregnancy complications like eclampsia or pre-eclampsia which will make the woman have a difficult time conceiving. Besides, it is not advisable to lose weight during the time of pregnancy.
5. Don’t practice birth control before pregnancy. Stop taking birth control pills at least two months before you want to conceive. You need to get the pills out of your system before conceiving.
6. Stop the habits of doing unhealthy social practices to conceive a healthy baby. There are many social habits that are hazardous for the health of a baby during early pregnancy. These habits must be eliminated before pregnancy to improve the chances of conceiving a healthy baby. Smoking of cigarettes, drinking too much alcohol and taking illegal drugs can adversely affect a pregnant woman’s health and the health of the baby.
7. Identify prescription drugs that are taken during pregnancy. Some women who take prescribed drug medications to lower cholesterol and high blood pressure should stop taking it since these drugs may have adverse reactions on baby’s health. Inform your doctor of all medications as soon as you start planning to get pregnant.
If you are up for success in preparing for a healthy baby; get yourself and your spouse in shape, start eating healthy, and find out the best practices for conception. Conception is easier if you prepare ahead of time.
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