Pre-Pregnancy Checklist

Ready to Start Growing Your Family?

This Prepregnancy Checklist Can Help You Plan & Prepare

When considering having a baby, it’s a good idea to plan and prepare prior to conception. Many people contemplating starting or expanding their family have thoughts about some of the more “fun” and obvious preparations, such as nursery décor themes, potential name ideas, pregnancy announcements and the like. While these are all relevant considerations that add even more delight to the overall experience of welcoming a new child into the world, it’s also important to think about a potential mother’s health or selfcare in the months prior to trying to conceive. If you are considering trying to get pregnant soon, here are some things that you should consider:

Make a pre-pregnancy appointment.

It is good to know where you are health-wise before trying to conceive, so that you know what areas might need some work or what you need to improve for optimal health. Being in a position of better overall health and wellness will increase your chances of conceiving, having a healthy pregnancy and will lay a foundation for your baby’s health. Make your appointment a few months prior to trying to get pregnant so you have a little time to prepare and improve your health and wellness. At this appointment, you can also address any concerns you might have with your physician. Be sure you are up to date on all the necessary immunizations. If you have any chronic medical conditions or take medications, this will be a good time to discuss how these can influence your ability to conceive and maintain your pregnancy and how they can impact your baby.  If you have a family history of genetic disorders, your doctor may suggest genetic testing to see if you carry the same gene. Additionally, if you are in good health and are struggling to conceive, you should consult with your physician, who can help you adjust your plan based on your family’s specific needs. 

Exercise regularly.

Moderate exercise will help keep you in shape. It will also help reduce back pain as your belly grows during pregnancy. Furthermore, moderate exercise can usually be maintaine during a healthy pregnancy, which can also keep your muscles prepared for a workout during the birthing process. It’s important to discuss your exercise regimen with your obstetrics provider.

 

Quit smoking, and limit caffeine, alcohol and exposure to chemicals.

These can impact fertility and your baby. So, start weaning them out of your system and lifestyle. Smoking is not only bad for your health, but it can cause fertility issues. Though caffeine is seemingly harmless, too much can cause health issues and impact fertility as well. Caffeine intake should be limited to less than 200-300mg per day. So, if you drink a lot of coffee, soda or energy drinks, you need to be aware of how much you consume and reduce your intake. Certain chemicals will impact hormone levels and too much exposure can be toxic. Think about how many products you use on your body each day, as well as how many chemical residues or heavy metals are in the foods you eat. Also consider the products you use to clean your home or keep it smelling fresh and the chemicals you are exposed to at work. You can help your body detox by eating plenty of sulfur-containing foods, like onions, eggs, broccoli and garlic. Sulfur is needed to help detox heavy metals. Cilantro and chlorella are also helpful in eliminating toxins.

Lower your exposure to chemicals by opting for natural cleaning and body care products as well. Cleaning with vinegar and baking soda are not only inexpensive, but they clean and disinfect well too. You can now find various options for both natural cleaning and body care in most stores.

Get to a healthy weight for your height and frame.

This is a good idea for both you and your significant other. Your weight– both too much and too little – can impact fertility. Talk to your physician and find out what a healthy weight is for you.

Increase your nutrient intake.

If you and your significant other do not currently eat a healthy diet, now is the time to start. You want optimal nutrition for both fertility and for the health of your baby. You want to eat foods that are full of vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, probiotics, fiber and lean protein. Women should start taking prenatal vitamins, along with maintaining a healthy diet, to ensure that you have all the nutrients needed. Prenatal vitamins include the right amount of folic acid during pregnancy, which can help prevent birth defects. It’s always important to discuss your diet, medications and supplements with your physician.

Budget for Baby

Having a child can be expensive. There are many items that you will need to purchase in the first year. If you are having a baby shower, this can help lighten the load. Start making a list of the things you will need from diapers and bottles to a crib and car seat. If your child will be attending a daycare or you need to find a babysitter, start looking into options and costs so you have a better idea of what you want and what you can afford. If you are taking time off after the birth, do you have paid time off to save or will it be unpaid time? Also, it is a good idea to figure out what your portion of the medical expenses will be. Setting aside money ahead of time for these additional expenses will result in one less thing you must think or worry about when the time comes.

SMH Peru And Spring Valley Will Be Closing All Current Operations As Of Friday, June 16, 2023 At 11:59 P.M.

This includes the Hospital, Clinics and other facilities at both locations.

All portals will be inaccessible after this time.

Patients needing emergency care should call 911.

To obtain a copy of your Medical Records please visit our Medical Records Request webpage and download and submit a request in writing.

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