pregnancy planning and pre-pregnancy

Pregnancy Planning

Having a baby is an important, life changing event; one that requires careful planning and attention. Before you even conceive your child, there are several steps you can take to promote healthy development of your baby and reduce the risks of birth defects. Here is a list of several ways to begin your pregnancy planning:

Stop using contraception methods. You can begin trying to conceive immediately after stopping the use of condoms, diaphragms, and spermicides. Doctors do recommend you wait at least three normal menstrual months before trying to conceive after ending the use of birth control pills or injections.
Stop smoking. As hard as it may be to quit, continuing to smoke puts your baby at several health risks. Smoking during your pregnancy puts you at greater risk for an ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage. Babies born to mother's who smoke are more likely than other babies to be born premature, have low birth weight, be born with a cleft palate or cleft lip, and be affected by SIDS. Smoking also puts your baby at higher risk for oxygen deprivation while in the womb. After your child's birth, smoking can negatively affect your breast milk by passing harmful chemicals to your newborn, decrease the amount of vitamin C found in your breast milk, and slow down your production of breast milk. Remember that second-hand smoke is also harmful to unborn babies, as it exposes your baby to cancer-causing chemicals.
Talk to your doctor about any prescription medications you are taking. Certain prescription medications can be harmful if passed from mother to baby during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
Avoid drinking alcohol. Consuming alcohol can make it harder conceive and have several negative affects on your baby once you become pregnant. Continuing to drink alcohol during pregnancy puts your baby at risk for Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, a term used to describe mental and physical defects of a baby caused by a mother's consumption of alcohol during pregnancy.
Begin a nutritious, well-balanced diet. It is important to begin eating a healthy diet before you conceive so you have the important vitamins and minerals you will need during pregnancy stored in your body. Eat foods that are rich in protein, vitamins, and fiber. Try to avoid foods that are high in fat, sugar, or sodium as much as possible. For more information on eating healthy during your pregnancy, visit our Pregnancy Nutrition page.
Take a folic acid vitamin. It is recommended that pregnant women get 400 micrograms or .4mg of folic acid each day. Taking folic acid before and during pregnancy can greatly reduce the risks of birth defects.
Begin a workout regimen. Beginning a working regimen during this pre-pregnancy time can help reduce stress and prevent health problems such as heart diseases and high blood pressure. Exercise can also help women maintain or lose weight before or during pregnancy. Beginning to workout before you become pregnant can make it easier to continue exercise while pregnant, which can help relieve the discomforts of pregnancy. For more information on exercise during pregnancy, visit our Exercising During Pregnancy page.
Take your weight into consideration. Women who are overweight or underweight may find it harder to conceive. If you plan to diet, it is important to do this before you become pregnant, as dieting during pregnancy is not recommended.
Plan a pre-pregnancy visit with your doctor. It is important to plan a visit with your doctor during your pregnancy planning stage so you can discuss important health information with your doctor. Speak with your doctor about your medical history or any family health risks. This can help you and your doctor plan for any pregnancy complications to reduce your risks.