Learn These Six Healthy Habits That Can Help Prepare Your Body for Pregnancy

What is preconception planning? It’s the process of preparing yourself for pregnancy well ahead of the time your baby is conceived. The best time to start healthy habits that can help prepare your body for pregnancy is three to six months before conception. Our preconception planning experts in San Antonio are happy to assist you through this exciting phase of your life. Getting an early start to improve and protect your health can help you maximize your chances of a healthy pregnancy and baby.

What are some healthy habits that can help prepare your body for pregnancy?

The first step is to make an appointment with your OBGYN. As preconception planning experts in San Antonio, our OBGYNs can make sure that you have all of the necessary tests and vaccines to prepare for a safe pregnancy. We will also discuss your health history, make sure your medications are safe for pregnancy, and offer many tips for developing healthy habits that can help prepare your body for pregnancy. Here are six of the most important ones.

• Start taking a high-quality prenatal vitamin with folic acid. Taking 400 to 800 mcg of folic acid every day is important to prevent neural tube defects in a developing fetus.
• Eat a healthy diet rich in nutrients. Include plenty of leafy greens and vegetables, whole grains and lean protein, including options such as chicken, beans, egg whites and fish. High-calcium dairy products and foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids are also healthy additions to your diet. At the same time, cut back on your intake of processed, high-sugar and high-fat foods.
• Getting about 30 minutes of moderate exercise a day, on a regular basis, is good for your overall health and will help prepare your body for the demands of carrying and delivering a baby.
• If you are overweight, the preconception period is a good time to focus on bringing down your BMI. A high body mass index is a risk factor for pregnancy complications, including gestational diabetes, which can be dangerous for both you and your baby.
• Cut back on caffeine, quit smoking, and eliminate alcohol and drugs. All of these can have negative effects on a growing fetus, and getting them out of your system prior to conception is the safest approach.
• Find ways to manage your stress level. Try yoga, meditation, gentle stretching, walking, or other relaxation techniques that make you feel good mentally and physically.

When you’re ready to make a baby, your Legacy Women’s Health OBGYN is a great resource for fertility advice. There are several methods you can use to pinpoint when you ovulate and are most likely to conceive, including over-the-counter ovulation predictor tests, daily temperature monitoring, and checking for changes in cervical mucus. We are happy to explain all of these methods to you, so that you can achieve your family-building goals on your preferred timeline.

Contact us to get started with preconception planning

It is our great honor to walk alongside you on your journey to motherhood. To schedule a preconception planning visit, or to learn more about healthy habits that can help prepare your body for pregnancy, contact us to schedule an appointment with our preconception planning experts in San Antonio.