Get FIT and in shape : The first thing to do would be find out if you have a Healthy body weight. Check your BMI ( Body Mass Index) http://www.doctorndtv.com/calculator/bmi_calculator.asp
For below the normal range this is the best time to ignore the "diet" and eat healthy as less body weight can cause trouble for ovulation , conceiving and can increase chances of a low-birthweight baby.However too much fat is also not desired. Being overweight at pregnancy or gaining too much weight during pregnancy will also increase the chances of gestational diabetes , delivering a baby who is above the normal birthweight and other incidents like C-section .
So start to plan healthy meals with more protein , high fibre content and go slow on carbs and sweets. Visit a nutrition consultant to design a well balanced meal - would be worth the trouble anyday.
Fitness routine is also very desirable for women planning to conceive. Most of us are very lazy to do any kind of exercise routine So, go get your husbands to play along. Go for yoga or a Salsa class or play some game ( outdoor!!!) and go walking under the moon by the seaside if you can.....
Say Hi to your doctor : Go meet your gynaec who will conduct a few tests and probably prescribe some supplements like folic acid and iron / calcium.
I know you would feel squeamish....what if the doc wants to examine me... gosh I cant expose myself....Tell you what, its what she does every day, just imagine having seen sooo many pelvises before, is yours going to stun her? So gather your courage , feel confident and go ahead. Soon you will become a pro at this.
If there is a need for a pelvic exam, lie down , relax yourself comletely which means leaving loose the pelvic muscles, your stomach, your hands and your jaw and take deep breaths. There will be just a mild discomfort and no pain. Let your doctor know if how you are feeling and she will reassure you.
You could discuss with your doctor about your contraception method and if you need to wait for a few months before trying to conceive. If you are using the pil it is better to switch to barrier method for 3 months before trying to conceive.
Your gynaec will prescribe some vitamins like :
Folic Acid : Folic acid (folate) is a vitamin and is needed to make new cells in the body. Pregnant women in particular need a good supply of folic acid which is used by the developing baby.
Many foods contain folic acid including vegetables such as spinach, sprouts, broccoli, green beans, and potatoes. You should start taking folic acid tablets before becoming pregnant (from the time you plan to become pregnant). Neural tube defects usually develop in the first 28 days of pregnancy, often before a woman even knows that she is pregnant. If the pregnancy is unplanned then start taking folic acid tablets as soon as you know that you are pregnant. Continue to take folic acid tablets for the first 12 weeks of pregnancy - even if you eat a good diet.
Iron : It is a very well known fact that iron is very important for a pregnant woman or when one who is planning to conceive. Iron is essential for making hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen to other cells. During pregnancy, your iron requirements go up significantly. First of all, your blood volume expands until you have almost 50 percent more blood than usual, so you need more iron to make more haemoglobin. You also need extra iron for your growing baby and placenta.
Sometimes some iron supplements can cause constipation ot stomach upsets which usually settle down. To counter this you can increase your fluid intake and also have a high fibre diet. If it is still troublesome ask your doctor to change to a different brand , a more slow -release or paediatric supplement.
Calcium : It is important to have an adequate supply of this mineral for the awaiting pregnancy and also the baby. So you may have to take a calcium supplement along with a healthy diet . If you are taking Iron and calcium , it is better to take iron in the night and calcium in the morning as iron tends to reduce the body's absorption of calcium .
If you are already pregnant and did not plan on it like most of us , just ensure that you start on your antenatal vitamins immediately!!!
Cut down on the caffeine: I love coffee and chocolates and cola and lot of other beverages. I cant live without them but hey I am done with having babies!!!! Have only about 1 or 2 cups (about 100ml ) of coffee in a day ( no refills at work). Why do we need to do this ...read here:
Caffeine is a diuretic that means it removes fluids more your body as well as calcium. It also interferes with the absorption of iron that means may lead to anaemia. It is also known to heighten mood swings and insomnia.
A BIG ABSOLUTE NO to :
1. Smoking : Quit it whether you want to become pregnant or not and yeah applies to your partner and there are no two ways about this.
Smoking can make you less fertile and also cause birth defects and other problems if you are pregnant. See here:
http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/health_advice/facts/pregnantsmoking.htm
Well if your partner then you will have to deal with the same effects . Read below on how to handle this:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/ask_the_doctor/pregnancypassivesmoking.shtml
2. ALCOHOL :
Settle for " orange juice on the rocks" when planning a baby as there is no safe level of alcohol consumption during pregnancy. Women consuming large levels of alcohol can lead to Foetal Alcohol Syndrome ( FAS) which is condition for the fortus or baby having malformations, dysfunctions and abnormalities.
Having said that dont worry too much about the couple of pegs or wine you had before you knew you were pregnant. Forget it and make sure you stick to juice.
3. DRUGS
Illicit drugs are a big NO when planning to conceive and after you are pregnant and it applies to both the partners.
Be careful about Prescription and over the counter(OTC) medicines. Let your doctor know you are planning to conceive or if you doubt you are pregnant before taking any medicines and the same goes for even simple OTC medicines.
That does it for the do's and dont's and lets await with bated breath for the juicy post on " How to make babies"!!!!
