When you decide to have a child for the first time, it is important to make adequate preparation for the pregnancy and when the baby arrives. This article will help you go through the pregnancy period with little or no serious complications that may arise due to lack of preparation.
Here are some vital steps to prepare for pregnancy:
1. Parent Interaction
The first and most important step to prepare for pregnancy is having a discussion between you and your partner on whether you are both ready for a child, and how the different home chores will be shared in order to not overburden you. Some of the decisions to be made include that of work – will you stay at home during the pregnancy? What about after the baby is born? What are the fears and expectations that come with pregnancy and how do you intend to tackle them?
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2. Stop All Birth Control Pills
Birth control pills are meant to prevent you from getting pregnant. So, a good step to be taken in preparation for pregnancy is for you to stop the intake of any kind of birth control pill some months before the planned date of pregnancy.
This measure will help correct all hormonal imbalances (such as irregular menstrual cycle) that the pill might have caused in the system and make you ready and fit to getting pregnant.
3. Reduce or Stop Harmful Habits
Some common habits like drinking alcohol and smoking have been found to cause harmful effects on the fetus. Moreover, excess alcohol intake has been shown to interfere with your fertility and can also lower sperm count in men. Cigarettes have also been found to reduce the quality of the egg, which could lead to several birth defects, premature labor and miscarriage. So, it is advised that you should reduce your smoking rate and intake of alcohol, or even completely stop if possible.
The intake of caffeine should also be reduced as caffeine has also been linked to triggering miscarriages. So you will consider reducing your intake of beverages that are common sources of caffeine like coffee, energy drinks, soda and tea.
4. Try to Reduce Some Weight
Ladies are known to gain weight during pregnancy and this may lead to some complications during delivery. So it will be a good step if you will shed some weight before getting pregnant especially if you are a bit overweight. Some good exercise, adequate meal options and proper intake of the right fluid can help you shed some pounds and trim down to be fit and ready for the pregnancy.
So if you have intentions to get pregnant in the near future, the above tips should be able to help you be prepared for having a baby.
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