Getting PregnantGetting pregnant is not necessarily about the conception, although it is true that this is when pregnancy begins. For many, getting pregnant also involves the planning, preparation and organization that occurs beforehand. Depending on the individual, this can be months or years as not all of us can get pregnant immediately. We've broken down the main stages of getting pregnant below, we appreciate that these may not apply to all couples, however they form the basis or a guide for people who are looking at getting pregnant and need some pointers about what to think about or consider. Prepare your body One of your most important considerations about getting pregnant should be the affect it will have on your body. Getting pregnant means enormous changes, both inside and out, preparing for these changes beforehand will enhance your chances of having a healthy pregnancy. Preparing your body is about getting yourself fit; this means that you should stop smoking and reduce the amount of alcohol you consume. Change to a healthy diet and start to eat the right foods. You may also want to consider additional supplements such as folic acid. The other part of preparing your body for getting pregnant is to raise your fitness levels, this does not mean you have to start running ten miles a day or other similar exertions (unless you already do this), it simply means that regular exercise will improve the overall healthiness of your body. A fit and healthy body has more chance of getting pregnant and coping with the rigors of being pregnant. Visit your GP If you are planning on getting pregnant, we recommend that you should visit your GP (No, not to replace your regular partner), they will be able to provide you with advice and guidance based on their knowledge of your health history. They will also most likely carry out a check up to make sure that there are no unexpected complications. Most importantly, they will also be able to tell you if any medication you are taking will affect your chances of getting pregnant.
What about the impact on the future One thing is for sure, getting pregnant is only the very beginning. We suggest that you start to consider the impact a new baby will have on your future. If you have the luxury of doing this before getting pregnant, you may want to consider how a baby will affect your career, your finances or whether you will need to move to a larger house. If you are considering moving house before getting pregnant, try and take the time to check out where your new local hospital will be and compare it with your existing facilities. An increase in bedroom activities Clearly, the best way of actually getting pregnant is by having lots of sex. You might also consider researching when the ideal time to have sex is based on your cycle. The most important thing here is not to change the mind set of your sexual relations, sex to get pregnant is different, enjoy the time with your partner. After all, you may have to do without sex for a while during or immediately after getting pregnant. Read more of our articles on getting pregnant Getting Pregnant and Understanding Your Body |
