- 1. Start taking folic acid tablets
- 2. Do preconception exams
- 3. Avoid alcoholic beverages
- 4. Check if you have already had all the vaccines
- 5. Exercise regularly
- 6. Give up smoking
- 7. Eat well
For pregnancy to really be a happy stage in the couple's life, it is important that, at least 3 months before getting pregnant, the couple consult a gynecologist so that he indicates what the woman and the man should do to ensure a healthy pregnancy.
It is important that tests are performed before pregnancy, and it is recommended to increase the consumption of foods rich in folic acid or use of supplementation so that the baby's development is correct.
The 7 precautions to take before becoming pregnant are:
1. Start taking folic acid tablets
Folic acid is important to ensure the correct closing of the baby's neural tube, which occurs in the first weeks of pregnancy, when it happens when the woman often does not know she is pregnant.
Therefore, increasing the consumption of folate-rich foods can also help ensure a pregnancy with less risk for the baby, such as broccoli, boiled egg and and black beans, for example. Know other foods rich in folic acid.
In some cases, it may be recommended to use a folic acid supplement, which should be started 3 months before stopping the contraceptive to decrease the risk of neurological problems in the baby.
2. Do preconception exams
At least 3 months before attempting to conceive, a complete blood test, urine test, stool test and serological tests for cytomegalovirus, rubella, toxoplasmosis, syphilis, hepatitis B and AIDS should be performed. In addition, the woman should also have a pap smear and ultrasound to check her gynecological health and the man a sperm test, to assess the efficiency and quantity of sperm.
If the prospective mother or father has a family history of genetic malformations or if the couple is closely related, as occurs when it comes to marriage between cousins, the couple must also undergo specific genetic tests. See other tests to get pregnant.
3. Avoid alcoholic beverages
Consumption of 1 glass of wine or 1 glass of beer before becoming pregnant is unlikely to harm the baby, however, higher amounts of alcohol increase the risk of miscarriage and fetal alcohol syndrome, especially when consumed after 5 weeks of gestation, and therefore the consumption of alcoholic beverages is not advised during pregnancy.
4. Check if you have already had all the vaccines
Some vaccines are important to ensure a peaceful pregnancy, such as rubella, chicken pox, hepatitis B and tetanus, so if you haven't had these vaccines yet, talk to your doctor.
5. Exercise regularly
Regular exercise promotes relaxation of the body and improves its functions, in addition, it contributes to reach or maintain the ideal weight, which also helps to have a healthy and more peaceful pregnancy. High impact exercises such as jumping, football or basketball games, for example, should be avoided because falls can lead to abortion, but walking, weight training, running, cycling and Pilates are recommended.
6. Give up smoking
If you smoke, you should stop smoking even before you get pregnant because smoking makes it difficult to ovulate and implant the egg, decreasing the chances of getting pregnant. It is also very harmful to the baby, even if he smokes passively.
In addition to these precautions, it is not recommended to dye your hair, do a progressive brush or other chemical treatment before becoming pregnant, as they may contain, in addition to formaldehyde, other toxic substances that can harm conception.
7. Eat well
In addition to avoiding fats, sugars and processed foods, a good tip is to invest in foods rich in vitamin E and folic acid, which can help regulate hormonal production, facilitating conception. Another important precaution is to drink plenty of water and avoid being around sick people to avoid contamination.
Watch the following video and learn what to eat to increase your chances of getting pregnant:
