TheSoko.com - Preparing For A Healthy Pregnancy

Preparing For A Healthy Pregnancy

By Safana Zahili

[Health & Your Life]

What changes should you make months before you become pregnant? Safana Zahili shares the lifestyle changes you need to make to ensure a healthy pregnancy.

Congratulations on your decision to get pregnant! Now is the time to start preparing for the long journey ahead. It is important that you prepare for your pregnancy long before it happens because of the fact that you most likely won’t know you are pregnant until about three or four weeks into the pregnancy. By that time, the fetus is developing major organs and it may already be too late to make any lifestyle changes that could be beneficial to you and the baby. A good idea is to act like you are pregnant before you become pregnant to increase your chances of having a healthy baby.

Set Up A Preconception Check-Up

Visit your doctor at least three months before you plan to get pregnant, so that you can review any medications you are on and discuss healthy lifestyle changes. He or she will ask questions about your family’s health history and may refer you to a genetic counsellor to see if your baby is at risk for developing any birth defects. Your doctor will also check for any medical conditions you may have that might affect the baby. If you have a condition like diabetes or high blood pressure, you may have to take special care during your pregnancy to ensure your health and the health of your growing baby are protected.

Update Your Immunizations

Talk to your doctor about your decision to become pregnant, so he or she can look at your records to see which immunizations you require. Vaccines against chicken pox and rubella need to be taken three months before you become pregnant. It is important that you are immunized because getting sick during your pregnancy can have serious side effects on the baby.

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