Before pregnancy there is preconception:
Pregnancy is a 9 month or 40 week event isn't it ? Wrong, think again...
A healthy lifestyle and good general health before you become pregnant will help you deal with pregnancy - there is mounting evidence to suggest - and its common sense really -
that health at the beginning of pregnancy and during pregnancy can have a major effect on you and your developing baby - in the past it was considered OK to
be healthy during pregnancy - now, however, some doctors are telling us that we should look beyond the 9 months of pregnancy and think about pregnancy in terms of "12 months" -
to include 3 months before you conceive. You could argue that pregnany preconception is the most important stage in the life of your unborn baby.
Read about pregnancy preparation.
Preparing for pregnancy checklist
- am I fit & healthy
- Is my pre pregnancy weight acceptable.
- have I started taking a folic acid supplement
- nutrition: do I have a well balanced diet
- do I need vaccinations, such as MMR (measles, mumps, rubella)
- do I have asthma ?
- give up smoking
- do I have thyroid problems
- do I have epilipsy
- is my alcohol / drug use a problem
- am I having any tests such as an X-ray ?
- are you a diabetic
- do I have SLE
- di I have HIV
- visit your doctor
- Is your workplace a healthy environment for a growing baby
- work related considerations - benefits and maternity leave
Preconception is the 12 months of pregnancy
Its much easier to address any issues even BEFORE the "12 months" of pregnancy begin - by visiting a doctor for a check up
you can understand if there are any medications you need to stop taking - or what lifestyle changes you need to make.
You need to prepare your lifestyle and body for the big changes ahead - a good lifestyle will help you
right throughout pregnancy - having a baby will more than likely change your lifestyle but by the time many women realise they are pregnant,
they are 2 or 3 months pregnant ! - thats roughly 13 weeks - or the full first trimester of pregnancy ! - just
see developed your baby is at pregnancy week 13 - this is the stage when
your baby's body structure is formed - and most baby organs develop !