11 Tips to Prepare for Pregnancy

Becoming pregnant was what most would describe it as, life changing. I say this with emphasis because it undoubtedly was. When we found out we were pregnant in 2018 we had just returned from Cape Town, South Africa celebrating our 1 year marriage anniversary (Be on the lookout for a post on our trip soon!). We figured we were pregnant upon our return to Houston because I began having fatigue, nausea, dizziness, and my menses was officially delayed. This was certainly planned and we could not have been more grateful! Unfortunately, this is not everyones testimony.

For some, becoming pregnant is a challenge and/or may be impossible for various reasons. I have had many patients schedule a visit for ‘infertility’ issues but have yet to exhaust their options of self-evaluation. For instance, I had a newlywed couple in their early 30’s who assumed based on their age they could not get pregnant and wanted fertility assistance immediately to start a growing family. When I asked the wife if she tracked her menses to know when to be sexually engaged with her husband to increase their chances of becoming pregnant she replied “No, why would I? We have sex when we want to not when an app tells us to”. My response, “Fair enough”.

Now I am not an Obstetrics or Gynecology specialist, therefore my medical knowledge of anything pregnancy related is limited. But the limited knowledge, research, and experience I have just might help a sister out! So if you have tried all of my tips below and you still are not successful at conceiving please do follow-up with your Primary Care Physician and/or OBGYN for any pregnant or infertility concerns. You may also find a lot more pertaining to pregnancy at reputable sites here and here!

Below you will find some things I kept in mind and practiced to prepare my body for pregnancy and increase our chances to conceive.

1. Track your menses: Tracking your menses using an app can help you understand what your body is doing and most importantly detect your fertile window and day of ovulation. Why is this so important? Because having sex two days before or the day of ovulation heightens the changes of becoming pregnant. My husband and I used the Flo app. I found the app to be very efficient and accurate. I still use it today!
2. Stay Hydrated: Water is vital to our health but even more so when trying to conceive, during pregnancy, and postpartum. So get into the habit of staying properly hydrated NOW. Adequate hydration can positively impact cervical mucous and sperm volume and production which are primary factors is conceiving. So grab yourself a water bottle and grab bae a water bottle to encourage him too!
3. Workout Routinely: Prior to becoming pregnant I worked out 5-6 times weekly. For me working out is habitual, empowering, and rejuvenating. I find it important to maintain a balanced and routine workout schedule at least 1 year before becoming pregnant. Why 1 year before? Because it creates muscle memory for when your muscles become less toned and stretched (especially the abdominal region) during pregnancy. Also, building up stamina and endurance at least 1 year before pregnancy helps with working out during pregnancy which is very different pre-pregnancy for many reasons. One to point out is how your heart has to pump a lot more to supply blood volume to your growing baby. It can be difficult and discouraging to try to start caring for your body during pregnancy when you never did before. Working out during my pregnancy made me feel so DAMN good and relieved so much stress! It also made it easier for me to start moving postpartum. I cannot stress the importance enough! Quick Tip: Keep workout equipment at home even if you have a gym membership so that you have one less excuse not to workout. I always keep 1 set of light weighted dumbbells, 1 set of heavy weighted dumbbells, yoga mat, resistance bands, tube resistance bands, jump rope, thigh/arm/butt toner, exercise ball, and/or a bosu balance trainer.
4. Start Prenatal Vitamins: I began taking prenatal vitamins 2 months before we began trying to conceive. Prenatal vitamins have more folic acid and iron than most adult vitamins. Prenatal vitamins have at least 400 micrograms of folic acid (recommended dose per CDC) which helps prevent birth defects to a baby’s brain and spine such as spinal bifida. Most women are deficient in iron often times due to our menstrual cycles. Prenatal vitamins supply a sufficient daily dose of iron which is essential in a baby’s growth and development and avoiding iron deficiency anemia. I began taking this prenatal which is great but I switched to this one for reason(s) I cannot remember. For more information on best prenatal vitamins you can read here and of course contact who? Your OBGYN!
5. Decrease Stress: Being overly stressed is never good for our bodies, minds, and/or souls. Therefore, it absolutely is not good for us when trying to conceive, during pregnancy, or even after pregnancy. Maintaining a balanced stress level during what can be a challenging time for many can improve ones overall mood and capabilities. Imagine trying to conceive and you cannot refocus your mind from tomorrow’s heavy work load. Not sure about you but nothing sounds pleasurable about that to me! So create a list of things you notice causing you to be overwhelmed or stressed and begin to eliminate them or curate a plan to lessen the stress each brings you.
6. Schedule a Well Woman’s Exam: Depending on your age and medical history, a well woman’s exam including a pap smear and clinical breast exam should be performed 6 months to 1 year before conceiving. A lot can be discovered and prevented during this time so you can imagine how important this is before trying to grow a precious human baby. Also during this visit laboratory work may be ordered to screen for cholesterol levels, blood count/anemias, thyroid levels, electrolyte balances, kidney and liver function, and diabetes. So if you have not yet already done this and you are trying to conceive, you still have time. Schedule an appointment today!
7. Stop Contraceptives: As we all know if you are taking birth control you must discontinue them upon consulting your OBGYN or PCP whomever prescribed your birth control pills, rings, implants, or IUD’s to discontinue. Research has shown an elevation in success rates when waiting at least one month after discontinuing their contraceptive to attempt conceiving. The theory behind this is that your body has time to regulate your menstrual cycle avoiding a miscarriage. I have a friend whom proved research wrong and got pregnant immediately and her and her baby are healthier than ever. On the other hand, I know someone who also got pregnant immediately after stopping birth control but had a miscarriage within the first trimester. So the choice is yours but my advice is to consult your OBGYN/PCP.
8. Avoid Alcohol: I love wine but not like I did before I became pregnant. I was not an alcoholic but having a glass of wine was part of my “me time” or “girl time”. Alcohol of any sort can be harming to a fetus and cause brain and nerve damage. Men should also avoid alcohol at least 1 month before trying to impregnate a woman because it can interfere with testosterone levels and cause erectile dysfunctions. Not sure how conceiving would occur that way? Now my husband is not much of drinker. However, one month before we began trying to conceive I completely avoided alcohol due its toxicity, harmful potential, and ability to decrease our chances of becoming pregnant. I like to think it made all the difference!
9. Consume Healthy Foods: Nourishing your body with healthy and nutritious produce helps supply your body with the nutrients it needs to house your baby for 9 months, and of course keep you healthy. Maintaining a balanced diet can also help obtain and retain a healthy weight. Keep in mind when you become pregnant you are expected to gain 15-40 pounds depending if you are underweight, at a healthy weight, or overweight. You can learn more about BMI and check your BMI here. Quick Tips: Buy healthy groceries you will actually cook and enjoy eating at home, at work, or even just being out and about. Pack your food for work and eat only out of your lunch box. Delete apps that deliver food as well. This eliminates dependency when feeling lazy or discouraged to pack your lunch for the next day or prep a meal with food you already have in your fridge. This really saved me!
10. Be sexually intimate: Lets just say, the more you have the better! In all honesty, your intimate life is what you make it. May it be a time of deep connection, sensation, and evolution!
11. Pray: Prayer is the most POWERFUL thing you can do while trying to prepare yourself for pregnancy. My husband and I prayed and prayed and prayed. Our families and friends did the same for us. If growing your family and becoming a parent is something you truly hope for then you are going to need prayer for guidance, understanding, doubt, frustration, joy, and so much more! So below I have a payer that you and your spouse may start with:

Dear God,

We thank you for life, our life, the life of our families and friends. We also want to thank you in advance for the life of our unborn child(ren). May we follow your guidance and will for our lives as we prepare to become parents. We ask that you show us how to be deeply connected with one another in ways we never explored. Guide our paths, thoughts, desires, and hopes during this time. We give this matter to you Lord as we know you are omnipotent and an on-time God. Again Lord, we thank you! It is in your heavenly name Lord that we pray! Amen!

With much love and hope!