• Skip to content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • Shop ModernMom
  • Become An Insider

ModernMom

The premiere destination for moms

  • Parenting
    • Pregnancy
    • Baby
    • Kids
    • Tweens and Teens
    • ModernMom Monday Videos
  • Cooking
  • Living Healthy
    • Breast Cancer
    • Health & Fitness
    • Body after Baby
    • Beauty
    • Relationships
    • Love
  • Lifestyle
    • Crafts
    • At Home
    • Education
    • Travel
    • Pets
    • Decorate
    • Money
    • Brooke Burke
  • Celebrate
    • Holidays
      • Easter
      • Valentine’s Day
      • New Year’s
      • Christmas
      • Hanukah
      • Halloween
      • Thanksgiving
    • Birthdays
    • Parties
  • Must Have
  • Contests
  • Entertainment

How to Get Healthy Before Pregnancy

May 26, 2010 by ModernMom Staff Leave a Comment

So, you’ve decided it is time to add to your family. The best time to begin taking care of your baby is before you conceive. Your baby’s environment for the first nine months just happens to be your body. By making yourself as healthy as possible before you become pregnant, you will provide your baby with a healthy environment for early development. Like any physical challenge, good health will help strengthen your body and see you through this important and life-changing event.

Step 1

Begin taking a multivitamin that contains folic acid. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 400 micrograms (mcg) can help with your baby’s early development. Guard against spina bifida, a birth defect associated with folate deficiencies, by taking your supplemental vitamin as soon as you begin thinking of becoming pregnant. A multivitamin also contains other important nutrients that may be missing in your diet.

Step 2

Rid yourself of any unhealthy vices. Whether you smoke, take drugs, drink alcohol or live on caffeine, now is the time to eliminate those substances that may have a negative influence on your body and your health.

Step 3

Visit your doctor before you conceive. Set up an appointment for a physical exam to make sure your health is at its best. Make sure your immunizations are up to date. Your family doctor is a great source of information. If your family physician doesn’t oversee pregnancies and deliver babies, ask him for a referral. Discuss any existing medical problems affecting you or your husband. Make a list of questions to take with you to your appointment. Many couples have questions regarding genetic testing, especially if they are concerned about hereditary disorders and illnesses. Ask for any brochures, pamphlets or other information regarding pregnancy that your medical clinic provides.

Step 4

Eat healthy foods to prepare your body for this big event. Begin changing your diet by substituting fatty, sweet and processed foods with more nutritious choices. For example, switch your regular pastries and donuts with high-fiber, low-fat muffins or toast. Snack on fresh fruits and low-fat cheese, instead of greasy potato chips and candy bars. Choose lean sources of meat, such as fish and skinless chicken and turkey.

Step 5

Get off the couch and get moving. Increase your level of activity to strengthen your body. The physical changes that occur during pregnancy can put a strain on your body. Begin slowly and gradually increase your level of fitness. Take evening walks with your husband or your family dog. Take the stairs at work instead of the elevator. Park a further distance from your home or place of employment to allow you to walk further. Limber yourself up by enrolling in yoga or stretching classes. Consider swimming laps at your local health club or public swimming pool.

Warnings

  • Avoid starting a strenuous, exercise routine immediately before conceiving. If you have existing health problems or conditions, discuss the best type of physical activities with your doctor before starting a new routine.

Photo Credit

  • pregnant #9 image by Adam Borkowski from Fotolia.com

Comments

comments

Filed Under: Pregnancy

About ModernMom Staff

Reader Interactions

Primary Sidebar

Tell a friend

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Search

ModernMom Boutique

ModernMom TV

Featured

Kissing Kids on the Lips: Fine or Not?

I recently read an article that says that parents should not … [Read More...] about Kissing Kids on the Lips: Fine or Not?

Must Have

winter

Pre-Holiday Must-Haves

"It's beginning to look  a lot like Christmas..." The … [Read More...] about Pre-Holiday Must-Haves

Did you know?

Health Benefits of Drinking Kombucha

The Health Benefits of Drinking Kombucha

Use Frozen Bananas for Baking

How to Use Frozen Bananas for Baking

How to Fix a Broken Slab of Marble

abdominal pain on the left side in pregnancy

Abdominal Pain on the Left Side in Pregnancy

Early Signs of Pregnancy While on Birth Control

Early Signs of Pregnancy While on Birth Control

Bake Frozen and Pre-Breaded Chicken

How to Bake Frozen and Pre-Breaded Chicken

Breast Pains & Pregnancy

Breast Pains & Pregnancy

Footer

  • About Us
  • Contact ModernMom
  • Advertise With Us
  • Press
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Contributors

Copyright © 2021 Modern Mom. All Rights Reserved.

Reproduction of any portion of this website only at the express permission of Mom, Inc.

The information provided on ModernMom is for educational use only. It should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.