Having a baby is one of the most wonderful, exciting, awesome, life-changing events of your life.
Planning for Pregnancy:
Even pregnancy needs some amount of preparation, say doctors. When you are trying to get pregnant, you need to take care of certain things three months prior to planning a baby that can help you to have a happy, healthy pregnancy. One important thing you can do is to take a folic acid supplement, good nutrition, and healthy lifestyle choices are important before and during pregnancy
1. Folic acid is a must:
Folic Acid is a B vitamin found in green vegetables (such as broccoli), yeast spreads, fortified cereals, Citrus Fruits, Avocado, Seeds and Nuts, Cauliflower, Beets, Carrots, Beans, Peas and Lentils. and Folic acid supplements come highly recommended as it is known to have proven results of preventing malformation of a child. The recommended dosage is 5mg, and it is to be started three months before one is trying to conceive and is to be continued till the baby is born. Depending upon every woman's medical history, they will have to take different supplements.
2. Supplements are helpful:
Earlier, when technology wasn't so advanced, prenatal abnormalities and mortalities were quite common. Nowadays, with lifestyle changes along with the right kind of supplements, these can be avoided. Moreover, earlier, families used to be joint families. These days, however, the size of the family is shrinking and women, too, are opting to conceive much later. So, you have to give your best shot when you are planning to have a baby.
3. Travelling during pregnancy:
When you are trying to conceive, there is no need to avoid driving a bike or a car. When you actually get pregnant, it maybe a different scenario, so make sure you consult with your doctor about driving. In fact, until a girl conceives, travel shouldn't be a problem. You can travel by train and roads too. However, travelling by flight is not recommended during the early stages of pregnancy. Even prior to pregnancy, frequent flight trips need to be avoided as the cosmic radiations and the decompression can affect you adversely.
4. Watch your weight:
Women need to pay attention to their ideal body weight, which plays a key role in conception. Aim for ideal BMI of 18.5 to 24.9, as once you get pregnant, it will become tough to control your weight. Losing weight is not advisable during pregnancy. Also, before you actually conceive, you can continue with everything that you were doing — walking, jogging, gymming etc.
5. Maintain a sensible diet:
Follow a diet that is rich in whole grains. Restrict carbs and increase your intake of protein and fiber. A lot of fresh fruits, vegetables and lean meats should be included in your diet. Try and avoid red meat and oily fried foods.
6. Avoid smoking and drinking:
Give up smoking and drinking while trying to conceive. ( for both parents )
7. Cut down on caffeine:
During the pre-conception period, you can take about two cups of coffee. Taking excess caffeine can cause early abortions and reduce developmental growth. Have tea or green tea instead.
8. Try and stay stress-free:
Emotional well-being is very important to conceive. Stress will put off your periods and affect ovulation too. It is proven scientifically that high stress leads to infertility. Cut down on stress as much as you can. There is a stress test which one can take before they conceive. A bit of saliva will be taken and will be tested for alpha-amylase.
9. Discuss about vaccinations:
Make sure you take your vaccinations according to schedule. Once you are vaccinated, you need to wait for a month and then get try and get pregnant. There is risk involved if you try to get pregnant after getting vaccinated.
10. Preconception checkup:
Getting a preconception checkup is one of the best things you can do to help you have a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby.Meet your doctor and get more clarity on your health before and during the pregnancy.
Preconception Care Diet Tips:
Vegetables:
Eat to eat 7 plus fresh vegetables daily. A variety of colours.
Fruit:
1-3 pieces/serves of fresh seasonal fruit daily.
Protein:
Some source of protein should be consumed at most meal. Animal sourcesMeat, chicken (poultry), fish, eggs and dairy products.Plant/vegetable sourcesLegume (dried beans, pulses) and grains Grain and nut ,Legumes and seeds
Eat fish 3 times a week. Avoid large fish high in heavy metals: rockling, flake, swordfish, marlin, broadbill, orange roughy (sea perch) catfish and fresh tuna.
Dairy foods:
Low fat dairy products. If intolerant to dairy products substitute with goats, sheep’s, whole bean soy products or almond milk (soy milk and almond milk should be calcium enriched).
Fats and Oils:
Use cold pressed oils in dark glass bottles. Cook with cold pressed olive oil, preferably extra virgin. Macadamia nut oil can also be used for example instead of butter in baked goods.Do not eat margarine and avoid hydrogenated fats hidden in commercial biscuits, cakes and pastries. Avocado is a good source of healthy fats.Raw seeds, e.g. linseeds, sunflower seeds, pepitas, sesame seeds. Do not buy pre-ground seeds as the oils oxidise when ground. Freshly grind the amount of seeds that would be consumed within two weeks, in an electric coffee grinder, food processor, bamix nut grinder attachment etc and store in fridge. Nuts, raw and unsalted (eg almonds, cashews, walnuts, brazil nuts)
Drinks:
1.5-2 litres of water daily Herbal teas, green tea. Limit caffeine to 1 coffee daily or 3 teas. Ideally, eliminate alcohol or limit 1 standard drink daily.Congratulations on your pregnancy. May God bless you with a happy healthy pregnancy.
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The Stage of Pregnancy week by week | Pregnancy Tips
Find out what your baby is doing with our week by week guide to her development
Pregnancy Week 0-3
During the first two weeks of pregnancy, you are technically not pregnant yet. During these weeks, you will menstruate, after which your body will prepare to ovulate. The third week is around the time that ovulation and conception occur. During this week, fetal development will begin, including development of the brain and spinal cord
Pregnancy Week 4
Between the fourth and seventh weeks of pregnancy is when many women discover they are pregnant. You may begin to experience various pregnancy symptoms. Your baby developed into an individual ( twins can develop up until week four )
Pregnancy Week 5
During the fifth week, you will want to schedule your first prenatal appointment. At this point, you may also begin to experience morning sickness.your baby is gently floating in the amniotic fluid, attached only by the umbilical cord. she measures around 7mm the length of a grain of rice. Her heartbeat can be picked up on an ultrasound scan
Pregnancy Week 6
At this point, you may experience nausea, breast changes, and heartburn, among other symptoms. Your little buds that will grow and form her arms and legs will appear this week. Her hear is beating and can already drive blood around her body.
Pregnancy Week 7
By the seventh week, every vital organ has begun to develop in your baby’s body. The limb buds are growing rapidly and fingers and toes will appear soon. Her head and tail have formed, so have her eyes, kidney and lungs. Also, while morning sickness is unpleasant.
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