For anyone who is expecting a baby and you actually care about the thought: food before getting pregnant. You will find a lot of important information and facts on this specific topic, as well as tips, assistance, thoughts, and answers to questions in relation to pregnant state, appropriate nutrition and diet programs.

Most women know that they need to see a doctor or midwife and make lifestyle changes when they are pregnant. But it’s just as important to start making changes before you get pregnant. These steps will help you and her body prepare for pregnancy, as well as give you a better chance of having a healthy baby.

Consult your doctor

Check with your doctor or midwife (obstetrician nurse) before you get pregnant. Even if she feels that she is healthy and ready for pregnancy, her doctor or midwife can do a lot beforehand to help her prepare.

• The doctor or midwife will review her current health, her medical history, and her family’s health history. Some health problems in your family can be passed on to your children. Your doctor may refer you to a genetic counselor.
• she may need blood tests or may need to catch up on vaccinations before she is pregnant.
• Your doctor or midwife will talk with you about medications, herbs, and supplements you may be taking. These can affect the fetus. Your healthcare provider may recommend medication changes before you become pregnant.
• Chronic health problems, such as asthma or diabetes, must be stable before becoming pregnant.
• If you are obese, your provider will recommend that you lose weight before pregnancy. Doing so will lower your risk of complications during pregnancy.

Stop smoking, alcohol, and drugs. Cut down on caffeine

If you smoke, drink alcohol, or use drugs, you should stop before you get pregnant. These substances can:

• Make it difficult to get pregnant.
• Increase the chance of having a miscarriage (losing an unborn baby).

If you need help quitting smoking, alcohol, or drugs, talk to your doctor or midwife.

Even in small amounts, alcohol can harm a growing fetus (unborn baby). Drinking alcohol while pregnant can cause long-term problems for your baby, such as intellectual disabilities, behavior problems, learning difficulties, and facial and heart abnormalities.

Smoking is bad for the fetus and puts the child at greater risk for health problems later in life.

• Women who smoke during pregnancy are more likely to have low-birth-weight babies.
• Smoking also makes it harder for you to recover from your pregnancy.

Drugs that are not prescribed by a doctor (including illicit drugs) can be dangerous if you take them at any time in your life.

You should also cut down on caffeine when trying to get pregnant. Women who consume more than two cups (500 mL) of coffee or five cans (2 liters) of soda daily may have a difficult time getting pregnant and a higher chance of miscarriage.

Limit unnecessary medications and supplements. Review the supplements and medications, both prescription and over-the-counter, that you take with your provider before trying to conceive. Most drugs carry some risks, but many carry unknown risks and their safety has not been thoroughly studied. If medications or supplements are not absolutely necessary, do not take them.

Eat a balanced diet

Maintain or aim for a healthy body weight.

A balanced diet is always good for you. Eat a healthy diet before you get pregnant. Some simple guidelines are:

• Cut down on empty calories, artificial sweeteners, and caffeine.
• Eat foods that are rich in protein.
• Fruits, vegetables, grains, and dairy will make you healthier before you get pregnant.

A moderate intake of fish will help you and your baby stay healthy. The FDA states that “fish is part of a healthy eating pattern.” Some types of shellfish contain mercury, and should not be eaten in large quantities. Pregnant women should:

• Eat up to 3 4-ounce (oz) servings of fish per week.
• Avoid large sea fish, such as shark and bass.
• Reduce your tuna intake to one can (85 grams) of albacore or tuna steak per week or two cans (170 grams) of light or low calorie tuna per week.

If you are underweight or overweight, it is best to try to reach your ideal weight before you get pregnant.

• Being overweight during pregnancy can increase the chances of problems such as high blood pressure, diabetes, miscarriage, stillbirth, and birth defects, as well as the need for a cesarean section.
• Trying to lose weight during pregnancy is not a good idea. But it’s an excellent idea to try to reach a healthy body weight for pregnancy before you conceive.

Take vitamins and folic acid

Take a vitamin and mineral supplement that includes at least 0.4 milligrams (400 micrograms) of folic acid.

• Folic acid reduces the risk of birth defects, especially problems with the baby’s spine.
• Start taking a vitamin with folic acid before trying to get pregnant.
• Avoid high doses of any vitamin, especially vitamins A, D, E, and K. They can cause birth defects if you take more than the normal recommended daily amounts. Normal prenatal vitamins do not have large amounts of any vitamins.

Exercise

Exercising before you get pregnant can help your body cope with all the changes you will go through during pregnancy and delivery.

Most women who already exercise can safely maintain their current exercise program throughout most of their pregnancy.

And most women, even if they are not currently exercising, should start a 30-minute program of light exercise 5 times a week, both before they conceive and throughout their pregnancy.

The amount of exercise you are able to do during pregnancy should be based on your general health and how active you are before you get pregnant. Talk to your doctor or midwife about what type and how much exercise is good for you.

Stress, rest and relaxation

While you are trying to get pregnant, try to relax and be as stress free as possible. Ask your doctor or midwife about stress reduction techniques. Rest and relax a lot. This can make it easier for you to get pregnant.

References

Cline M, Young N. Antepartum care. In: Kellerman RD, Rakel DP, eds. Conn’s Current Therapy 2020 . Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier 2020: e.1-e 8.

Gregory KD, Ramos DE, Jauniaux ERM. Preconception and prenatal care. In: Landon MB, Galan HL, Jauniaux ERM, et al, eds. Gabbe’s Obstetrics: Normal and Problem Pregnancies . 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021: chap 5.

Hobel CJ, Williams J. Antepartum care: preconception and prenatal care, genetic evaluation and teratology, and antenatal fetal assessment. In: Hacker NF, Gambone JC, Hobel CJ, eds. Hacker & amp; Moore’s Essentials of Obstetrics and Gynecology . 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2016: chap 7.

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