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You’ve read the baby books, you’ve talked to your friends, and you’ve started picking out names. The only thing that you need to do now is to conceive. Preparing for pregnancy is an emotional, mental, and physical responsibility. Follow these 8 tips to best position your body to bring a healthy and happy baby into the world:

1. Begin taking folic acid supplements. Taking 400 micrograms of folic acid a day for at least one month prior to conception and during your first trimester can decrease the chances of your baby being born with a neural-tube defect by 50 to 70 percent.
2. Eliminate alcohol, tobacco, and drug use. Smoking and drug use can increase the risk of having a miscarriage, a premature birth, or a baby with low birth weight. Tobacco use can also affect your fertility, and may impact your ability to conceive. Read these tips to help quit smoking.
3. Increase your consumption of healthy foods. Even before you conceive, make sure that your body has the nutrients needed for a healthy pregnancy. Increase your daily intake of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, as well as foods that are high in calcium. Be sure to eat a variety of sources of protein, such as beans, nuts, poultry and meats. In addition to increasing your consumption of healthy foods, eliminate foods that may increase your risk of acquiring a food-borne illness. Reduce your intake of unpasteurized soft cheese, unpasteurized juices, cold deli meats, and raw and undercooked fish and poultry. These foods can have high rates of bacteria that can cause illness, and in the most serious cases lead to a miscarriage or stillbirth.
4. Maintain a healthy weight. Women with a health body mass index (BMI) may be more readily able to conceive. A pregnant woman whose body weight is too high may experience delivery complications, while a woman whose weight is too low may give birth to an underweight infant.
5. Begin, or stick to, an exercise routine. A healthy exercise program includes 30 minutes of moderate exercise at least three times per week. If you are not currently exercising on a regular basis, slowly increase the length and intensity of your workout routines. Once you become pregnant, continue your fitness routine, unless you experience complications or are advised to stop by your doctor. A consistent exercise routine can help you to maintain a healthy weight, improve your cardiovascular and pulmonary health, and can increase your flexibility, all of which will benefit you during your pregnancy.
6. Reduce your caffeine intake. Women who are pregnant or are trying to conceive should not consume a large amount of caffeine. An overconsumption of caffeine has been linked to an increased risk of miscarriage.
7. Be aware of your mental health. Women who suffer from depression are twice as likely to have problems with fertility. Women who are looking to get pregnant should obtain a mental health screening, especially if they have a family history of depression.
8. Make an appointment with your OB-GYN. Last but certainly not least, you should make an appointment to see your doctor. He/she can assess your overall health and make sure everything is normal in order to give you and your baby the best start.

Preparing your body to carry a baby is an important aspect of pregnancy that should not be overlooked. A healthy body will be best able to carry a baby to full-term, enabling you to deliver a healthy baby without complications. Chouchani, Sayegh and Bagnarello MD is accepting new patients. Give us a call today.