The 12 months of pregnancy – why pregnancy is 3 months longer than you think
March 29, 2010 by pregnancy life
Pregnancy is a 9 month or 40 week event isn’t it ? Wrong…. Think again…
Before pregnancy there is preconception…
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 pregnancy preconception is the most important stage in the life of your unborn baby.
Read about pregnancy preparation.
Preparing for pregnancy checklist
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 ?
Have I given up smoking ?
Do I have thyroid problems >
Do I have epilipsy ?
Is my alcohol or drug use a problem ?
Am I having any tests such as an X-ray ?
Am I a diabetic ?
Do I have SLE ?
Do I have HIV ?
Have I visited my Doctor ?
Is my workplace a healthy environment for a growing baby ?
Have I considered work related benefits and maternity leave ?
Preconception is the 3 months before the first trimester
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 ! – this is the stage when your baby’s body structure is formed – and most organs develop !
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Check out what others are saying about this post...[...] are pregnant or not – but if you believe you are pregnant you might want to read about pregnancy preconception. Even if you have not begun preparing your body and lifestyle for a baby, it’s a good [...]
[...] time to worry about your lifestyle and health is before you become pregnant, at pregnancy preconception. While traditionally the focus was on looking after your health during pregnancy its actually more [...]
[...] you suffer from a long-term renal problem it is important that you seek pre conception advice before becoming pregnant. A pregnant woman with pre-existing renal disease is considered to [...]