Knowing How To Prepare For Pregnancy

© Rido

If you're a new mom, you're probably experiencing a range of emotions from excitement to anxiety. Understandably, you'll want to know when you'll be able to feel the first kick or ultrasound. Frequent checkup offers what you should expect during your pregnancy week by week to allow for preparation. If you want to know what to expect with you and the baby, this guide offers the milestones and developments to expect.

Week 1 & 2

During this period, your body is working hard to prepare for ovulation. Week 1 is somewhat uneventful because it's the week of the last menstrual cycle. While you aren't pregnant, your body is changing. During the first 2 weeks you can expect:

Fluctuating Temperature

The body's basal temperature will drop to the lowest point just before ovulating and then shoot up immediately about ½ a degree as soon as ovulation takes place. Consider buying a special digital thermometer and begin tracking the pregnancy week by week.

Tips

Increase Folic Acid

You need to prepare your body for a baby by taking 400 mg of folic acid daily. Research reveals that folic acid, particularly when taken in the preceding months before pregnancy, has significant medical benefits for expectant women and their babies. Research reveals that folic acid decreases the likelihood of gestational diabetes, congenital heart defects, and preterm labor.

Consult your doctor about medications

Whether you're using a prescription, herbal medication, or over-the-counter medication, consult your doctor about the safe meds and those that could harm your baby's health.

Week 3

Symptoms

Cramping and Bloating

Progesterone relaxes your body muscles, including the digestive tract. The relaxed muscles slow digestion, which could lead to bloating and gas. This creates uncomfortable gut sensations.

Spotting

Some women detect spotting, also called implantation bleeding because it occurs around the same time the implantation of the fertilized egg occurs in the uterus. If you have pain accompanying the bleeding, contact your healthcare provider instantly because it could indicate an ectopic pregnancy.

Preparing for Pregnancy

Developing healthy habits is important to take you through pregnancy and even after the baby's birth. These tips will ensure you start on the right foot.

●       Maintain a healthy weight

Being obese or overweight before pregnancy increases your likelihood of conditions such as preeclampsia and diabetes. Obesity is a principal risk factor for adverse outcomes, including pregnancy loss and other neonatal complications.

●       Doctor's Visit

Visit your physician for a baseline checkup. During this visit, your physician will examine your general health to ensure you're in the best health for pregnancy. Your doctor might inquire about your family history, the medications you’re taking, and ensure you're appropriately vaccinated.

●       Adopt healthy eating habits

It's never too late to adopt healthy eating habits. Some studies reveal a link between consuming fried food and the increased likelihood of developing diabetes throughout pregnancy. It's worth noting that surplus gestational weight gain increases your risks as the mother, making it hard to lose the baby weight, and increases the likelihood of your baby becoming obese or overweight.

●       Oral Hygiene

If you're planning to have a baby, you must schedule a dental visit before pregnancy. Ensure you address dental problems because mouth bacteria that produce cavities could be dangerous throughout pregnancy. This could result in infection and possibly induce premature birth. You should eliminate dental plaque as well. Make sure you consult your dentist concerning teeth care during pregnancy.

Pregnancy is an exciting time for any woman, whether or not it's the first time. Nonetheless, it demands preparation and certain measures to get through it successfully.