Pregnancy Preparing your body for pregnancy

Diet:

Eating well is very important even before you become pregnant. It can also improve your chances of conceiving. If you eat very well, you do not need to take a multivitamin, however there is one supplement you should be taking well in advance of your pregnancy: folic acid.

By taking folic acid, you will reduce the risk of neural tube problems in your child, such as spina bifida, which can be fatal. It is widely recommended that you should get at least 0.4mg of folic acid daily, starting a couple of months before you conceive. However, if you have epilepsy, the folic acid may cause problems, so you should consult your doctor.

You should eat a well balanced diet, ensuring that you get all of the necessary nutrients. You may also want to take a good multivitamin for women. You may even want to take prenatal vitamins, which should also have the folic acid you need. You'll want to make sure to eat food low in fat and high in fiber.

You will want to avoid too much sugar, salt and junk food. Stay away from saturated fats and trans fats. It is also crucial that you avoid smoking or even second hand smoke, and alcohol. Alcohol can cause fetal alcohol syndrome, so avoiding its consumption even before conception is important, just to be on the safe side. You should also limit your caffeine consumption. Only drink 1-2 cups of coffee a day maximum, and limit your other sources of caffeine (ie. pop, chocolate, or tea).

There are certain foods that you should avoid while trying to conceive, because they may prevent a risk to the baby. These include:

-soft cheeses (especially those that use unpasteurized milk)

-liver or foods that contain liver

-raw and undercooked meats

-precooked meals that have been chilled

-prewashed salads

-lightly cooked eggs

Exercise:

If you are overweight or underweight, it may have a negative effect on the health of your unborn child. For example, if you are extremely overweight, your child may be born with diabetes and be overweight too. If you are underweight, your child may have stunted growth in the womb. If you are overweight, you will also put more strain on your joints and be at risk for blood pressure problems as well as diabetes.

If you are underweight, you should make an effort to gain weight until your body mass index is more appropriate. This may involve increasing the amount of food you eat. If you are overweight, then you need to watch what you eat, and exercise. It is important for all women to exercise prior to conception. A good amount of exercise is about 20 minutes three times a week of cardio such as walking, jogging, cycling or swimming. This will help you maintain optimal health leading up to the pregnancy, and better prepare you for the endurance you'll need later on.