Many expectant mothers keep a careful eye on their health during pregnancy — with the help of prenatal visits — to ensure the wellbeing of their child. However, maintaining good health before pregnancy is just as important and can play a vital role in a future baby’s health.

If you or a loved one is planning to become pregnant, continue reading to learn how to improve overall physical and mental health before conception.  

Talk to Your Healthcare Provider
Your healthcare provider is a vital member of your team during pregnancy. Before becoming pregnant, it’s essential to discuss your medical history and any conditions you’re currently managing with your healthcare provider, as these factors may impact your baby or your ability to conceive.

Talk to your doctor about:

• Your medical conditions, whether past or current.
• Your current medications, including those prescribed and purchased over the counter, such as vitamins or supplements.
• Your vaccination history.
• Your lifestyle and behavior.

Limit Drugs and Alcohol
Drug and alcohol use can lead to pregnancy complications, including premature birth, low birth weight, congenital disabilities and stillbirth. All unhealthy substances — such as tobacco, alcohol, marijuana, illegal drugs and prescription drugs taken for nonmedical reasons — should be halted before becoming pregnant. Stopping this behavior before pregnancy will also give you time to discuss substance use or dependence with your doctor or a counselor, if necessary.

Maintain a Healthy Weight
Being overweight during pregnancy can increase your likelihood of health complications, both for yourself and your baby. Excess weight is tied to health issues for the mother, such as gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, blood clots and a higher chance of caesarean delivery. The child is at heightened risk of neural tube defects (NTDs), developmental issues, macrosomia — or an excessively high birth weight — and future health problems like childhood obesity and diabetes.

On the opposite side of the coin, underweight people can also run the risk of serious health complications. These mothers are likely to have premature births or babies with low birth weights, something that can cause breathing problems, infections and developmental delays. Underweight women are also more at risk for postpartum hemorrhaging, nutritional deficiencies and difficulty breastfeeding.

Start Folic Acid
Women planning to become pregnant should start taking a prenatal vitamin that contains at least 400 micrograms of folic acid daily, at least one month before conception and throughout the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Folic acid is an essential B vitamin that plays a critical role in preventing serious NTDs that affect the brain and spinal cord. It’s also shown to support the baby’s healthy growth and development and reduce the risk of premature birth.

Your healthcare provider will tell you the best way to consume folic acid, whether it’s through supplements or diet changes.

Foster Mental Wellness
As an expectant mother, your mental health is just as important as your physical health.

As many as 75% of birthing women report experiencing baby blues, or feelings of stress, anxiety and depression after giving birth — and up to 15% of them will go on to develop postpartum depression (PPD), a potentially serious mental health condition.

Speak to a mental health professional before your pregnancy regarding any worries, stress or anxiety you have. This is a big change for your family, and it’s normal to have fears. Your healthcare provider can help you understand the source of your feelings and guide you through any treatment options. This proactive care can help arm you to respond rationally to concerns as they emerge.

Remember: Your spouse will likely need support as well — partners are also at risk for developing mental health troubles, such as baby blues and PPD. 

Making health improvements before pregnancy is a great way to enhance outcomes for both you and your new child, allowing you to reduce or avoid the risk of potentially harmful health complications. Discuss your family planning efforts with your doctor or health practitioner before making any changes to your diet or exercise routine, as they’ll know what’s safest for you. For more insights on ways to maintain your health and better support your business's needs, please read our other informational articles at americanbusinesscoalition.info.

Articles in this newsletter are supposed to be informative, enlightening and helpful to you. While all information contained herein is meant to be completely factual, it is always subject to change. Articles are not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Consult your doctor before starting any new wellness or exercise program.

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