What You Should Know Before You Get Pregnant

If you want to get pregnant, it's best to be well prepared. Having adequate information will help you in the process of becoming a mother.

Written and verified by the dentist Vanesa Evangelina Buffa.

Last update: 23 July, 2024

Thinking about getting pregnant is a big step that’s accompanied by a lot of excitement and thousands of questions. Preparing yourself properly before you get pregnant, as well as during and after pregnancy, is essential for this process to be healthy, both for you and for the baby.

A healthy pregnancy begins months before conception, as soon you decide you want to become a mother. Planning your pregnancy and preparing yourself mentally and physically for this process will help you experience it with greater awareness and peace of mind. In this article, we’ll tell you everything you should keep in mind before you start looking for a child.

The decision to become pregnant

Motherhood is a decision that you should take very seriously, as it reflects a continuous, deep, and responsible commitment to raising a new human being.

Knowing and reflecting on the factors that motivate you to want to become a mother will help you determine if this is your path and if it’s the right time to do it. In this process, you should talk to your partner and listen to their desires, fears, and opinions about parenthood.

Evaluating your relationship, emotional stability, and how the arrival of a baby will impact your dynamics as a couple and bring about challenges that you’ll have to face and respond to before looking for a child. Talking about roles and the importance of sharing responsibilities will help you promote an equitable and healthy family environment.

It’s also a good idea to evaluate other aspects, such as money, work, and housing. Being realistic and making sure you’ll have the resources to cover the costs associated with raising a child is a responsible thing to do.

The importance of medical check-ups before you get pregnant

When you get pregnant, prenatal health checkups are essential to monitor your pregnancy and make sure you and your baby are doing well. But seeing a doctor before you get pregnant is also very important.

Ideally, you should choose your OB/GYN or midwife and schedule a consultation at least three months before you start trying to get pregnant. The professional will give you all the advice you need to make the pregnancy process as healthy as possible.

The professional will go over your medical history and conduct detailed medical examinations and evaluations. These check-ups are intended to detect any alterations that could affect the pregnancy, such as sexually transmitted infections, heart conditions, diabetes, asthma, or thyroid problems.

You’ll also need to talk to your doctor or midwife about your lifestyle, for example, if you smoke or drink alcohol, as well as the medications you take, as there are some that can affect your baby.

In these consultations, recommendations are made regarding healthy habits, dietary changes, physical activity, nutritional supplementation for the mother and baby, and a vaccination schedule in case you need anything.

Visit the dentist

Having your teeth and gums examined before becoming pregnant is the most appropriate thing to do. Experts link oral health to a healthy pregnancy. Also, women with periodontal disease are more likely to suffer from preeclampsia and preterm labor and have a baby with a low birth weight.

Going to the dentist during pregnancy, and even before, gives you time to address any problems you may have in your mouth. They’ll be able to take X-rays, use anesthesia, and do all the dental treatments you need without any risk. This way, by the time you get pregnant, your oral health will be in optimal condition.

What to do if you’re ready to get pregnant?

If you’re already at the stage where you want to get pregnant, it’s crucial to understand the factors and actions that can influence your ability to conceive. Discover the keys to maximizing your chances of conception and how to approach this exciting chapter with confidence and preparation.

Take folic acid every day

Before you get pregnant, you should start taking folic acid every day. The Spanish Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology recommends taking 0.4 mg per day of folic acid starting at least one month before pregnancy and during the first three months of pregnancy.

In addition, you should consume foods that are rich in folate by consuming a varied diet that provides the vitamins needed to become pregnant.

The intake of this micronutrient helps prevent some major birth defects in the baby’s brain and spine, such as anencephaly and spina bifida. These disorders occur when the embryo’s neural tube is forming, between four and ten weeks after conception, when many moms are just learning about their pregnancy.

Consider your family history

Knowing your family’s pregnancy history will help you become more connected to your decision to become a mom. Also, gathering your family members’ medical history will help identify factors that could impact your baby’s health or your ability to get pregnant.

Talking to your mom, grandmother, cousins, and sisters about their pregnancies, ailments, and experiences will provide useful information for your own process. Ask them if it took them a long time to conceive and if there were any complications, such as miscarriages, premature births, or breech presentations.

If anyone in your family had problems conceiving or complications during their pregnancies, don’t be overly alarmed or worried. They won’t necessarily repeat themselves.

However, as  some health conditions tend to run in families, it’s important to share with your doctor any information from your family history that you think is relevant. For added peace of mind, your doctor may consider doing some extra tests.

Maintain a healthy weight

Having a healthy weight before you get pregnant is key to preventing problems during pregnancy. Before looking for a baby, you can calculate your body mass index (BMI) and, if your doctor deems it necessary, take steps to achieve an appropriate weight.

Being overweight (BMI over 25) or obese (BMI over 30) before and during pregnancy is associated with a number of problems during pregnancy. Studies link maternal obesity to adverse outcomes for mothers and babies, such as the following:

• Depression
• Preeclampsia
• Fetal defects
• Preterm delivery
• Perinatal death
• Gestational diabetes
• Congenital anomalies
• Gestational hypertension
• Babies that are large for their gestational age babies

Diet and exercise can be key factors in staying healthy before and after you get pregnant.

Watch your diet

Make sure you eat a varied and healthy diet if you want to get pregnant. Include foods rich in folic acid, iron, calcium, and other essential vitamins. Lean meat, spinach, legumes, dairy products, nuts, chicken, and eggs shouldn’t be lacking in your diet.

Eating fish is also healthy, but avoid fish that contain a lot of mercury, such as chunk white tuna (albacore tune), swordfish, and shark. It’s also advisable to avoid raw meats and limit caffeine. Don’t forget to maintain adequate hydration. Finally, be sure to drink at least eight glasses of water a day.

Exercise

Staying fit is crucial to promoting a healthy pregnancy and facilitating labor. Simple activities such as walking or swimming are excellent options both before and during pregnancy.

While it’s beneficial to stay fit for your overall health, it’s important to keep in mind that when planning a pregnancy, you should avoid overdoing it. Moderate physical activity is positive for conception, but a very intense workout could be linked to potential fertility problems.

While more research is still needed to understand the connection between intense physical activity and infertility, if you maintain a high-intensity exercise regimen, it’s wise to talk to your doctor before embarking on your quest for a baby.

Prepare yourself mentally

If you’re thinking about getting pregnant, you should take care of and prioritize your mental health. Anxiety, depression, and stress during pregnancy have been shown to have a negative impact on both mother and baby.

Anxiety symptoms of pregnancy are associated with increased fetal heart rate, premature delivery, low birth weight, fetal distress, and congenital malformations. In addition, they increase the risk of major depression and anxiety symptoms after birth.

Taking care of your mental health before you look for a baby will give you tools to sustain your emotional well-being during gestation. Even if you have a difficult pregnancy or your experience isn’t what you expected, there are steps you can take to stay mentally strong.

Assessing your emotions, doing self-awareness exercises, and practicing relaxation techniques, meditation, or yoga are strategies that can help you reduce anxiety and create a more balanced state of mind. Talking with your partner, family, and friends about your fears and expectations will also help you cope with stress.

Seeking professional support can provide you with tools to manage anxiety, resolve conflicts, and prepare you emotionally for the baby’s arrival. Joining a group of expectant parents is another resource that can have many benefits for your mental health.

Avoid toxic substances

If you or your partner regularly consume alcohol, smoke cigarettes, or use recreational drugs, you should consider reducing your use before looking for a baby. Regular use of these substances can cause fertility problems in both men and women, conditions during gestation, and health problems in the baby.

It’s easier to stop these harmful habits a little at a time before the presence of a baby in your belly forces you to do it all at once. Take advantage of your desire to become a mother to give up these habits and encourage your partner to do so as well.

If giving up these habits becomes too difficult, seek support. Your doctor will be able to advise you and help you through the process. There are also groups and organizations that’ll be willing to offer you the support you need.

Being prepared: The first step toward motherhood

Preparing for motherhood involves more than just waiting for the baby to arrive. Knowing your desires, expectations, and fears, making a conscious decision, and taking care of yourself before, during, and after pregnancy will help you navigate this process in a positive and healthy way.

As each pregnancy is unique, the personalized attention of a healthcare professional is invaluable. Prepare yourself, take care of yourself, and enjoy the beginning of motherhood!