Pregnancy Preparations: Things To Do Before Getting Pregnant
Although plenty of people do get pregnant unexpectedly, if you have the chance to take some time to think about your decision and do some planning, then you really should. After all, pregnancy isn’t as simple as getting it on, waiting nine months, and then giving birth. You need to think about whether you’re in the right place mentally and financially to bring up a child for eighteen years, and if you are you need to make sure that you are healthy so that the baby also will be. There are a few things that you need to do before getting pregnant to give yourself and your baby the best chance. Here they are for you to consider.
Consider The Cost
You may be feeling incredibly broody, but that doesn’t mean that you should allow your heart to drown out your head. Babies are incredibly costly, and you need to figure out if you can live comfortably with a baby on the money that you have. If you’ve done the sums and you know that you won’t be able to cope, it might be sensible to wait a few months until you’re looking a little more financially stable.
Kick The Addictions
If you’ve decided that you have enough money in the bank to look after yourself and a little one, then you need to think about how your lifestyle is going to affect them. If you smoke, drink, or take drugs, then you need to stop well before you get pregnant. As you can read in this pregnancy addiction guide, these addictions can lead to some incredibly adverse effects on you and your baby, so it is crucial. Of course, this likely won’t be easy, so you may want to consult with your doctor for some help and advice.
Manage Your Stress
Stress is incredibly common, especially when you’re pregnant or trying to conceive. Unfortunately, stress can make it difficult to conceive, and can even cause harm to your baby during pregnancy, so it’s essential that you do all that you can to reduce and manage it. Luckily, there are lots of ways that you can manage your stress. Meditation is commonly recommended, as is exercise, which will also help you to keep in shape throughout your pregnancy.
Ditch The Birth Control
Once you’ve properly thought everything through and know that you’re ready to have a baby, it is time to ditch your birth control. For some, this is as easy as putting the condoms away, but if you’re taking the pill, using a patch, or another type of hormonal birth control, this process is a little different. If you’re on hormonal birth control, it’s sensible to visit your doctor before you come off it, as they can advise you one the best way. You may experience some side effects from doing this, such as weight gain or mood swings, but once your body gets used to the hormone change, everything should go back to normal.
It’s always sensible to properly plan and think things through before getting pregnant, and, hopefully, with these tips, you’ll do know how to do that.