You have decided that you are ready to become a mother? To increase the chances of a healthy pregnancy, it is necessary to prepare for conception. The list of measures that should be taken before you start trying to conceive, help you with this.

1. Make an appointment with the doctor

No, it is too early to look for a midwife, who will take you birth. But you should definitely contact your gynecologist or physician to conduct a general survey before conception. The doctor will discuss with you your personal and family medical history, assess the current state of health, find out whether you are taking any medication. In fact, many drugs are dangerous to take during pregnancy, and you should stop taking them for a while before you begin to attempt conception (hazardous substances may persist for some time in the body).

Also, the doctor will discuss with you the diet Diet: food, without which you can not do , Weight, activity level, bad habits. He may recommend taking a multivitamin, check whether you have done all the necessary vaccinations, do you have an immunity to childhood diseases (such as chicken pox or measles). The doctor will answer all your questions. If you last visited gynecologist over a year ago, is to conduct a pelvic examination and tested for diseases, sexually transmitted diseases.

Many couples also conducted genetic studies to determine the risk of transmitting genetic diseases to children.

2. Take folic acid (and not get carried away in vitamin A)

Folic acid is very important for you, if you are going to conceive. Taking 400 micrograms of folic acid per day for at least a month before conception and during the first trimester of pregnancy, you will significantly reduce your chance of serious defect of the nervous system of the child, as well as other birth defects.

Folic acid can be bought as a separate supplement, it can also go to the composition of ordinary multivitamin or special vitamins for pregnant women. Ensure that the composition of the package indicates that the additive contains 400 micrograms of folic acid.

It is also important that multivitamins do not contain more than the recommended daily allowance of 770 mcg RAE (2565 IU) of vitamin A, except when presented in the form of vitamin beta-carotene. Too large amounts of vitamin A in the other forms may cause abnormal fetal development.

If you are not sure about the choice of a multivitamin, consult your doctor.

3. Do not drink alcohol, do not smoke, do not use drugs

If you have bad and dangerous habit, now is the time to stop. Numerous studies show that drug use and smoking lead to miscarriage, premature birth Premature birth - Recognize the signals of the body in time , The birth of children with very low birth weight. Remember that some of the substances are stored for a long time in the body, even if their effect is already noticeable.

In addition, studies show that smoking can negatively influence the fertility of your partner. Even passive smoking reduces the chances of getting pregnant How to Get Pregnant: Recommendations to help .

Alcohol also interferes with conception, so it's best to stop using it as soon as you decide to start trying to get pregnant. And mothers who drink during pregnancy, often provoke serious health problems in children.

Quit bad habits often difficult. In this case, consult a doctor. He will help you, or recommend where to go for help.

4. Go on a healthy diet

You even do not need to "eat for two", but should always make informed choices when it comes to food - as the need for a healthy pregnancy various nutrients.

Try to eat at least 2 servings of fruit and 2, 5 servings of vegetables every day, as well as whole-grain foods and those that contain a lot of calcium (eg, dairy products). You also need protein from a variety of sources - beans, nuts, soy, meat, poultry.

5. Reduce the amount of caffeine

Although not yet set the maximum allowable dose of caffeine for pregnant women, experts agree that pregnant women (and wishing to conceive) should avoid drinking large amounts of caffeine.

Some experts recommend that pregnant women not more than 200 mg of caffeine a day - about one cup of coffee. Remember that caffeine is also found in tea, cola and other drinks.

6. Control your weight

If you have a healthy weight, it will be easier to conceive. Too low or too high weight adversely affects the ability to get pregnant. Calculate your BMI.

If the BMI is higher or lower than normal, you should adjust the weight. Normal weight before conception also helps you to easily move the pregnancy. If you need to lose weight or get better, consult your doctor, what methods to achieve this goal you fit.

7. Be careful with fish

If you love fish, you should start to monitor its quantity. Although fish - an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids (they are needed for normal brain development and vision of the child), as well as protein, vitamin D and other nutrients, it can also contain mercury.

Experts agree that pregnant women can eat fish, but it is worth remembering what kinds of fish contain more mercury and avoid them. Women are advised not to eat king mackerel, swordfish, shark and tuna - no more than one serving per week.

The fish, which do not contain dangerous amounts of mercury, pregnant women are advised to eat twice a week. Among the safest kinds of fish - herring, trout, salmon and sardines.

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