Before she conceives

In spite of all the counseling regarding a planned and safe motherhood, most of our women land up in unwanted pregnancies with unforeseen complications.

Preparing the body for pregnancy can go a long way towards a healthy pregnancy and give the woman and her baby the best possible start by increasing her chances of conception and providing the appropriate conditions for nurturing the baby developing in the womb. The lifestyle of a woman can affect the health of her future baby, even prior to conception. Hence it is advisable to improve her health and lifestyle as soon as she wants to start trying, or even better a couple of months before one stops using contraception and decides to conceive.`          

As the developing baby will entirely depend on the mother’s body for nourishment and protection , it is wise to eliminate any bad habits or risk factors that might compromise the health of the baby as well as the mother.

The following are a few steps which the woman can take up, to carry a healthy pregnancy to an enjoyable motherhood…

• Maintaining proper nutrition

• Checking one’s immunity by proper vaccination

• Certain screening tests to prevent transmission of infections to the offspring

• A detailing of genetic and family history

• Losing abusive habits like cigarettes, drugs, alcohol

• Reviewing her medications if any

• Modifying lifestyle habits, diet, exercise, stress