5 Things To Consider Before Getting Pregnant

5 Things To Consider Before Getting Pregnant

There's a reason a baby is called a bundle of joy: Deciding to have a baby is a happy occasion not just for you, but for your partner and your families as well. But other than excitement, you will also feel anxious about the whole experience of getting pregnant. Despite what the movies or the posters in the nearby prenatal care clinic show, pregnancy is not a walk in the park. If anything, it can be a formidable uphill battle.

Pregnancy can be complicated, especially for first-time moms. Bearing a child affects all aspects of your life, and you need to make big decisions. There are many reasons four out of ten young women are not happy about being pregnant. But no matter how old you are when you decide to have a baby, pregnancy can be a very demanding stage in a mother's life. It's why you need to prepare not just for the nine months that you will carry your child in your womb, but also for the long-term effects of having a child.

So, before you get pregnant, you need to lay some solid foundation in yourself, particularly your health. Here are some of the crucial things you need to consider before pregnancy:

Visit Your Ob-Gyn
Before you get pregnant, it's vital to see your ob-gyn. Your doctor will give you invaluable advice on how you can make sure your pregnancy will be safe and healthy for both you and your baby. Consulting an ob-gyn is particularly important if it's going to be your first pregnancy, you're suffering from any health problems, or you're over 35 years old. Such conditions can make your pregnancy complicated. Your ob-gyn will be there to help you hurdle the risks.

Boost Your Chances Of Getting Pregnant
Before getting pregnant, you must first ensure that you have a good chance of conceiving a child. It would be helpful if you and your partner will both have a fertility check-up. Women's health and fertility are the dealbreakers when it comes to having a baby. By having your fertility levels checked, your doctor will better analyse your chances of getting pregnant.

If ever your odds are low, then the same check-up with an experienced fertility specialist like Create Health in Melbourne will give you the big helping hand in outlining your action plan to deal with pregnancy difficulties. An effective fertility treatment includes necessary tests like semen analysis for males, pre-pregnancy hormone tests, egg count check, and genetic screening.

Take Prenatal Supplements
When you're pregnant, you will be feeding yourself and the baby in your womb. So, it would be best to prepare your body before you even become pregnant. Since you will be eating for two, you will require extra nutrients in your body. Prenatal supplements are designed to give you the extra vitamins and minerals to help you during your pregnancy months. These supplements also contain higher amounts of beneficial folic acid. By optimizing your body's nourishment, you have a better chance of preventing pregnancy complications and congenital disabilities that your child may suffer.

Quit Smoking And Reduce Alcohol Intake
If you've been a habitual smoker, now's the time to quit. Cigarette smoking can harm not just you, but also your unborn child. Smoking while you're pregnant can inhibit your child's growth and mental development. It can even cause a miscarriage.

The same is true if you love to drink alcoholic beverages. Having large amounts of alcohol in your system during pregnancy can cause abnormalities in your unborn child. It can also hamper your child's overall development.

Couples who are considering getting pregnant should know that smoking and alcohol can also have adverse effects on fertility. Too much alcohol can lower a man's sperm count.

Save Money

Having a baby gives rise to expenses. Among other things, you need to spend on food, accessories, and healthcare for both you and your baby. In a few years, you will also spend on things like your child's babysitter and education. In short, you need to beef up your cash flow and save enough money to foot the bill of having a new member in your family.

Conclusion
Deciding to have a baby is one of the most exciting moments of your life. But no matter what age you choose to become pregnant, it will entail risks. It would help if you prepared yourself for pregnancy. You must make it a point to consult your ob-gyn and fertility specialists, take good care of your health, and save money for expenses that will arise from having an additional family member.