Are You Planning For Pregnancy?
Pregnancy planning is an important topic.
Being proactive can make a huge difference in the entire process.
Here are 9 crucial factors to consider if you’re thinking about having a child. 
1. Start taking prenatal vitamins.
A good rule of thumb is to begin taking prenatal vitamins well in advance of trying to get pregnant.
During the first few weeks of your pregnancy, even before a positive pregnancy test, you need to be getting enough of some crucial nutrients, especially folic acid.
You risk missing the window of time when the extra nutrients are most advantageous if you wait until you find out you’re pregnant.
2. Give up smoking
Smoking increases the risk of miscarriage and a number of other issues during pregnancy. If nothing else, becoming pregnant should serve as motivation to stop this bad practice.
Check Out Pregnancy and Coronavirus -What You Should Know.
3. Stop using contraception.
In general, stopping birth control does not significantly delay pregnancy.
However, not all forms of birth control result in the same return to normal ovulatory function.
One possible exception is a few extra months of waiting after finishing Depo-Provera shots (the birth control shot).
4. Obtain vaccinations and screening tests
Get vaccinated if you are not already.
In addition, get a tetanus shot if it has been five years since your last dose.
The new shot protects against pertussis, diphtheria, and tetanus (whooping cough).
Before getting pregnant, get vaccinated against whooping cough to lessen your risk of passing the terrible illness to your baby.
Additionally, a number of genetic illnesses can be identified in prospective parents before conception.
Find out from your doctor if there are any tests that can be done prior to conception.
5. Control Chronic Illnesses
If you have a chronic illness, such as hypertension, diabetes, lupus, asthma, thyroid disease, seizures, or any psychological illnesses, you should work hard to get it under control before trying to conceive.
Make careful to tell your primary care physician or any specialists that you are expecting a child when you visit them. They can collaborate with you to ensure your health is protected.
6. Obtain Pregnancy-Safe Drugs
If you regularly take any drugs, check with your doctor to see if you can take them while pregnant.
Before taking any over-the-counter medications while attempting to get pregnant or after conception, be sure to consult your doctor.
8.Reduce Your Alcohol Consumption
Social drinking is acceptable while trying to get pregnant. However, once you learn you’re expecting, Avoiding all alcohol while you’re pregnant is universally advised.
8. Maintain A Healthy Weight
A pregnant woman who is fat increases her baby’s chance of miscarriage, gestational diabetes, pregnancy-induced hypertension, needing a cesarean section, and other negative consequences.
There is never a better moment to start a healthy diet and exercise routine than right now, whether you’re trying or not. It might be wise to wait having children if you are morbidly obese.
9. Neutralize Financial Instability
Even for those who are insured, pregnancy care and delivery are quite expensive.
This, however, pales in comparison to the price of raising your child and, if necessary, paying for childcare.
You should feel confident in your capacity to provide for a child financially. And if you’re not, make the necessary changes to increase that confidence.
Need more advice on planning for pregnancy? Call Dr. Marquette’s office today at 352-622-2229!