Chronic medical conditions like diabetes, thyroid disease, kidney disease, or heart disease should be monitored and well-controlled prior to conception for the greatest chances of a healthy pregnancy. Do you know your body mass index (BMI)? Your doctor will probably calculate this number at your physical. If your BMI falls into the overweight or obese categories, talk to your doctor about healthy strategies for losing weight. If your BMI is in the underweight category, also talk with your doctor. You could also try this Planning for Pregnancy tool created by Tommy’s – a charity dedicated to making pregnancy safer. It'll help you learn what you need to know. Smoking, drinking alcohol, and using certain drugs can cause many problems during pregnancy, such as premature birth, birth defects, and infant death. Women with certain medical conditions may benefit from advice before becoming pregnant. If you have any of the conditions listed below, it would be sensible to continue using contraception until you have discussed with your doctor that you are considering becoming pregnant. If you have an unplanned pregnancy and have any of these conditions, see your doctor as soon as possible. Do not stop any medication without talking with your doctor. Diabetes

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If you want more of a challenge, try vigorous activities like jogging, cycling, or uphill hiking. You get additional health benefits with more exercise. If you’re already relatively active, you might try moving between 150 and 300 minutes each week. http://www.healthywomen.org/content/article/infertility-and-your-relationship?context=ages-and-stages/29 If you find you need some extra support with your mental wellbeing, it can be accessed through your GP practice. Your healthcare professional can talk to you about treatments if you have symptoms that you feel are interfering with your day-to-day life. Periods and planning a pregnancyPregnancy is taxing on the body’s nutritional stores. Give yourself a boost by taking a multivitamin to bridge any gaps. Better yet, prenatal vitamins are specifically formulated to give your body what it needs during pregnancy. Good preconception health – how women are in the weeks, months and years leading up to pregnancy – plays a crucial role in the health of women and their babies and on into childhood. We need to provide clear information and support women who want to have a family in the future to start making positive changes to improve their health now - in advance of becoming pregnant, to help give every child the best start in life." Sometimes, planning for pregnancy includes fertility planning and scheduling sexual intercourse for the time of the month when the woman is most fertile. Couples who are having regular sexual intercourse and who still do not conceive typically consult a fertility specialist. Doctors generally recommend that healthy couples in which the woman is under 35 try to get pregnant for a year before consulting a fertility specialist. Women over 35 may want to consult a fertility specialist after 6 months of trying to conceive. You can also get many of the vitamins and minerals you need from eating a healthy, balanced diet. Enjoy whole foods over anything processed. If your budget allows, you may also want to incorporate more organic fruits and vegetables into your diet to limit your exposure to toxins.

for Pregnancy: In 30 Days - Healthline How to Prepare Your Body for Pregnancy: In 30 Days - Healthline

Women who do not have immunity to the rubella virus should be vaccinated before trying to conceive. Physical exam to evaluate your weight, blood pressure, pulse rate, body temperature and breathing rate. It is important to review all medications, whether prescription or over-the-counter (OTC), with your health care professional if you are planning to become pregnant.

Finding out that you’re pregnant is really exciting and while you’re bound to have some worries, take time to enjoy this moment. Pregnancy can make some diabetes complications worse, such as eye and kidney problems. So it’s really important to have eye screening and tests for your kidneys before you stop using contraception. Eye problems because of diabetes (diabetic retinopathy) can be treated if caught early, so screening is really important.

Pregnancy Planning Tips: How to Prepare for Baby - MedicineNet Pregnancy Planning Tips: How to Prepare for Baby - MedicineNet

Your diabetes team can arrange this and they’ll talk to you about the results. In some cases, you may be referred to a specialist team for extra support. Get support Starting a prenatal now will help you avoid any nutritional deficiencies during early pregnancy. You’ll also have time to try out a few brands to see what works for your body. Smoking, using drugs, and drinking alcohol can harm an unborn baby in a number of ways. Smoking exposes your baby to harmful chemicals, restricts blood flow, and may even cause preterm labor. A neural tube defect is when the foetus's spinal cord (part of the body's nervous system) does not form normally. Nutrition and lifestyle in the preconception period is crucial to having a good pregnancy and birth and we are delighted to be partnering with Tommy’s and UCL on this campaign to deliver tailored advice for women on the key steps they can take before getting pregnant to decrease the risk of complications during pregnancy. In the UK, the high prevalence of obesity means that 1 in 4 pregnant women are overweight or obese. Diet, weight and the body’s metabolism prior to conception impacts on the chances of conceiving naturally, having a good pregnancy and delivery, as well as affecting the health of children in their later life. Focussing on the importance of maintaining a healthy diet and weight prior to conception will not only improve the health of individuals, but also the health and quality of life of future generations." Professor Viv Bennett, Chief Nurse and director of maternity and early years at Public Health England, said :

Diseases & Conditions

Further information on planning a pregnancy with a mental health condition Mental health and wellbeing