What preparations should be made in the early stages of pregnancy

We all know that being able to conceive a healthy baby is a very important thing for women. It is because of the existence of children that the family becomes more complete and happy. However, it is not easy to conceive a healthy baby. Expectant fathers and mothers need to make adequate preparations before delivery. Both living habits and physical health must be adjusted. Let’s take a look at what preparations need to be made in the early stages of pregnancy.

What preparations should be made in the early stages of pregnancy

1: Supplement folic acid Even if you have a balanced diet, it is difficult to ensure that you can get all the necessary nutrients from it. The phenomenon of folic acid deficiency in Chinese women of childbearing age is relatively common, and this should be given full attention.

2: Say goodbye to tobacco, alcohol and drugs. If you smoke or take drugs, please stop as soon as possible. Numerous studies have shown that smoking and drugs can cause miscarriage, premature birth and low birth weight. Additionally, studies have shown that smoking may affect fertility and sperm count in men. In fact, even exposure to secondhand smoke can affect your chances of conceiving.

3: Say no to caffeine. Studies have shown that consuming too much caffeine can hinder the absorption of iron and increase the risk of intrauterine fetal death. So it is best to quit caffeinated beverages such as coffee, tea, and cola.

4: Control your weight. If your weight is within the normal range, your chances of getting pregnant will be higher.

5: Choose healthy food. Choose healthy food from now on to reserve beneficial nutrients for the future baby's breeding environment. Eat as many fruits and vegetables as possible every day, plenty of grains, and calcium-rich foods such as milk and yogurt. But if you really like eating fish, be aware that the mercury content in oily fish such as shark, swordfish, and mackerel is often too high (mercury usually exists in fish in the form of methylmercury), and consuming large amounts of methylmercury is harmful to the development of the fetal brain. So, you should not eat this type of fish more than twice a week.

6: Develop and stick to a fitness plan. But if you don’t usually like to exercise, you should start your fitness plan step by step. Start with some relaxing activities, such as taking a 10-20 minute walk every day, or add some exercise to your daily life, such as climbing stairs instead of taking the elevator, or getting off the bus one or two stops earlier and then walking.

7: Make an "appointment" with the dentist When you are making comprehensive preparations for your future baby, don't forget your oral health. There is growing evidence that periodontal disease (a bacterial infection that affects the gums and bone around the teeth) may lead to premature birth and low birth weight.

8: Check the family health history. You and your husband can call both sets of parents and other relatives to find out more, focusing on whether anyone in your family has genetic or chromosomal mutation diseases, such as Down syndrome, mental retardation, congenital birth defects, etc. When you go for a prenatal check-up, your doctor will also ask you about this to determine whether you need a genetic test.

9: Do a pre-pregnancy check-up. A pre-pregnancy check-up can help you detect abnormalities before pregnancy, seek timely treatment and avoid potential problems. It can adjust your physical and mental state to the best state, and plan your pregnancy under the guidance of a doctor to reduce birth defects and ensure a safe pregnancy and delivery.

10: Calculating the ovulation day and having sex around the ovulation day can increase your chances of conception.

11: Say "byebye" to contraception. If you have been using contraception before, you should stop it now in order to have a baby. If you are using condoms or a diaphragm, simply stop using them immediately. But if you have been taking oral contraceptives, it is best to wait until you have at least one normal menstrual cycle after stopping the pill before becoming pregnant. This principle also applies to women who use the contraceptive patch and IUD. It should be noted that it may take several months for the menstrual cycle to become regular, but for many women, fertility returns in the first month after stopping the medication. If you are using hormonal injections for contraception, even if your periods resume early after you stop the injections, you will need to wait a year until you ovulate normally again before getting pregnant. Once you stop taking birth control, you can start tracking your menstrual cycles, which can help you understand the regularity of your menstrual cycles. Mark the exact days when your period starts and ends on a calendar, or circle the days of your period. This can help your OB determine your fertile days and plan your antenatal checkups during the first three months.

The above is an introduction to what preparations need to be made in the early stages of pregnancy. After understanding it, we know that in order to have a healthy baby, expectant fathers and mothers must make adjustments to their lifestyle and diet. First of all, pay attention to balanced nutrition, do not smoke or drink, and ensure adequate sleep every day.