Even before you become pregnant, your health matters to your future baby. Adopting healthy habits and addressing pre-existing medical concerns can help give your baby the best start in life. If you’re thinking about starting a family, follow these tips to improve your health as you prepare for pregnancy:
- Get any pre-existing health conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes under control
- Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet
- Exercise three or more times a week and at least 150 minutes weekly
- Take 400 to 800 micrograms of folic acid or a prenatal vitamin daily
- Get within 15 pounds of your ideal weight
- Be sure you’re up to date on your vaccinations
- If you smoke or misuse drugs or other harmful substances, quit immediately
- Reduce your stress levels
- Start the conversation now
- It’s important to discuss your plans to start a family with your health care provider early on.
They will advise you when to stop taking birth control pills or potentially unsafe over-the-counter medications. Your provider can also
help develop a care plan for conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure which may need to be monitored
by a maternal fetal specialist regularly.
If you don’t have a provider, finding one is easy!
Call 800.LAKELAND (525.3526) or visit spectrumhealthlakeland.com/primarycare to learn more about available providers in your area.