A journey of a thousand miles begin with a step. In Ghana where I hail from most pregnancies just happen. Just few people plan for pregnancy. When you’re seen planning pregnancy some people look at you with a surprising face. This is because the majority of couples conceive easily.
The first step on making a decision to get pregnant often starts as a conversation between the couples who ready enough to become parents. To optimize one’s fertility once planning for pregnancy is taking better care of the body. But what else can women do to improve their odds of having a baby? The most important advice for a woman who wants to get pregnant is to get to know her body, especially her menstrual cycle.Your husband’s fertility matters too, so you’ll want to make sure he’s as healthy as can be. Be in it together
If you and your husband are planning to conceive, you should start taking folic acid (400 mcg) before you get pregnant. Folic acid helps to provide the best health outcomes for your baby when it is growing. Taking folic acid daily before and during pregnancy also prevents the occurrence of neural tube defects, such as spina bifida, in your baby. In addition to Folic acid have a healthy balanced diet; it improves fertility as well as affecting your baby’s future health. The best foods include wholegrain, unsaturated fats and vegetable proteins such as lentils and beans.Many women conceive within one month of trying so it is ideal to start taking folic acid two months before you stop contraception. If you have already stopped contraception, then you take it daily until you are 12 weeks pregnant.
Whiles planning for Preconception you need to quit smoking, stop taking alcohol and caffeine and cut down on caffeinated drinks. Heavy alcohol and caffeine consumption is shown to decrease female fertility
The preconception period ( mostly three months prior to pregnancy) is the time to make life changes that can help boost fertility, reduce problems during pregnancy and assist in recovery from birth. Women who are planning pregnancy should discuss their preconception health with their Gynecologist or visit a Midwife. This helps youknow the tests or vaccines you need. How to manage or control any health conditions you have and to know medicines you can and can’t take during pregnancy
To boost your chances of conceiving, aim to have regular and unprotected sex (every 2 to 3 days) throughout your cycle so you know that there should hopefully be good-quality sperm waiting when the egg is released. An active sex life is all most people need to conceive. If you know when you ovulate each month you can give yourself the best chance of getting pregnant by having sex in the days leading up to ovulation. Continue having sex during ovulation. After this your fertile time will be over for that cycle. Remember it’s important for you and your partner to try and keep sex enjoyable by concentrating on each other and your relationship, rather than worrying about conceiving. This will help you limit stress on getting pregnant.
Watch Your Weight. Being too thin can make it harder to get pregnant. Being too heavy can also cause problems: It raises your chances of diabetes and high blood pressure. It can also make labor last longer and you don’t want that! Talk to your doctor about what weight is healthy for you.
Budget for having the Baby and the Baby. Pregnancy and Babies have a lot of needs. You’ll need clothes, a car seat, and a stroller, and maybe formula and bottles. Make a list of supplies and start looking now. Keep in mind, your expenses will also include doctor visits and possibly child care
Wishing all those expecting and planning pregnancy all the best and Safe DELIVERY
Baby and Parenting 