7 Tips to Prepare Your Body for Pregnancy

Some women have always known they wanted to have children, while others decide after years of careful consideration. No matter which side of the equation you fall on, one thing is probably clear: Once you’re ready to have a baby, you’re ready! 

But before you jump feet-first into motherhood, you should take stock of your health. That’s because preconception health is the foundation of a healthy pregnancy. One of the best ways to increase your chances of delivering a healthy, full-term baby is to improve your health and prepare your body for this magnificent, demanding journey.

Led by Kenneth Konsker, MD, FACOG, and Emily Woodbury, MD, FACOG, the team at Mira Women's Health and Midwifery in Boca Raton, Florida, share these simple ways to prepare your body for pregnancy and head toward motherhood on the right foot.  

1. Schedule a preconception checkup 

Even if you’re in good health and ready for pregnancy, having a preconception checkup is one of the most important things you can do to boost your chances of having a healthy baby.  

At this exam, we review your personal and family health histories, assess your current health status, and consider any factors that increase your odds of having a high-risk pregnancy. 

A preconception checkup also gives you time to get chronic health conditions under control, review any medications or supplements you’re taking, and get caught up on essential immunizations. 

2. Take a folic acid supplement 

You should take a folic acid supplement even if you do little else to prepare your body for pregnancy. By taking 400 micrograms of folic acid every day starting at least one month before conception and continuing through your first trimester, you can protect your baby against spina bifida and other neural tube defects that may occur during early pregnancy. 

3. Work toward a healthy body weight 

Besides making it easier to get pregnant, being at a healthy body weight when you conceive supports a healthier pregnancy overall. Women who are underweight going into pregnancy are more likely to deliver low-birthweight babies, while women who are overweight are more likely to experience pregnancy or delivery complications. 

If you’re underweight or overweight, our team can develop a plan to help you reach a healthier body weight. 

4. Improve your daily diet 

While many women believe they don’t have to cut the junk from their diet until they’re pregnant, filling your plate with wholesome, nutritious foods before you conceive gives your body the fuel to support a healthy pregnancy from day one. 

A nutritious preconception diet includes a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables, legumes, whole grains, nuts and seeds, healthy fats, lean proteins, and low-fat dairy products. It also limits processed foods, trans and saturated fats, and added sugars. 

5. Get moving or improve your workout 

If you don’t already exercise regularly, getting in the habit before you conceive gives your body the endurance, strength, and flexibility it needs to handle pregnancy-related changes and prepare for labor and delivery. 

If you’re a beginner, aim to get at least 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week. Simply going for a brisk daily walk can improve your physical fitness. 

If you already exercise, make sure your routine isn’t too basic. A well-rounded preconception and prenatal exercise program includes aerobic activity, strength training, and flexibility training.  

6. Reduce your stress levels

While carrying a baby can be stressful even when everything is going just as it should, living under the strain of chronically high-stress levels during pregnancy can increase your risk of developing unnecessary problems and complications.

Making quality sleep a priority, reducing stress, finding healthy ways to relax, and keeping your mind in balance are just as important when trying to conceive as when you’re expecting. 

7. Stop smoking, drinking, or taking drugs

If you smoke cigarettes, drink alcohol, or take any illicit drug, now’s the time to quit. Besides harming your health and making it harder to get pregnant, these habits can lead to birth defects, miscarriage, premature birth, and low-birthweight babies when continued into pregnancy. 

It’s also critical to stay away from secondhand smoke when you’re trying to conceive or are pregnant. Routine exposure to secondhand smoke can be just as dangerous to your health — and the health of your baby — as your smoking habit. 

To learn other ways to improve your preconception health and increase your chances of having a healthy baby, call our office at 561-488-1801 or request an appointment online today.