'To-Do' Health List For Happy Pregnancy!

Having a baby is an exciting and life changing experience. If you are planning a baby, you should arrange an appointment with the doctor to discuss your health at least three months before you plan to conceive. Your check-up is also an opportunity to talk about any health concerns or worries you may have. It's never too early to start planning for a healthy pregnancy.

Let's now look into the below major health checklists before you plan to conceive:
1. Visit your physician - It is good to do a complete health check up, including a Pap smear and breast check. Your doctor is also likely to ask if your vaccinations are up-to-date.
2. Medications - Tell your doctor if you are taking any medications as they might affect fertility and that may not be recommended during pregnancy.
3. Existing medical conditions- It is important to discuss pre-existing medical illnesses such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or thyroid problems.
4. Family health history - Check with your Gynecologist for birth defects, disabilities or illnesses in your family or your partner's family that you think could be passed on to the fetus. If you have concerns, they can put you in touch with a genetic counselor.
5. Screening tests - You can ask your doctor for screening tests for Hepatitis B, syphilis, and, HIV/AIDS.
6. Check with your gynecologist for contraception you are using and whether you've had any ovulation or menstruation problems, terminations, miscarriages, ectopic pregnancies, delivery complications etc.

Other health considerations for pre- pregnancy:
1. Exercise regularly. Getting fit before you conceive, lays the foundations for a healthy pregnancy. If you are overweight, you might have trouble conceiving; the same is true if you are underweight.
2. Get the right nutrition. Aim for a balanced diet that contains three meals a day with at least 3-5 daily portions of fruit and vegetables. Keep yourself well hydrated.
3. Track your fertility cycle. You might have a vague idea of when to expect your period, but if you want to get pregnant, get better acquainted with your cycle. Know when you're ovulating.
4. Add a prenatal vitamin to your routine. Be sure your supplement contains folic acid and a B vitamin that helps to prevent birth defects.
5. Discontinue smoking, caffeine and alcohol. Smoking, drugs and drinking alcohol before or during pregnancy are connected to an increased risk of miscarriage. Further into your pregnancy, you are more at risk of having a low-birth-weight and a premature baby.
6. Manage stress. Try to eliminate potential stressors in your life to increase the chance of conception. Relax and try to get 6-8 hours of sleep a day.

All the best to successful road to conception!