You will agree that preparing for anything worthwhile in life takes work. From doctor visits to lifestyle changes, pregnancy calls for tons of preparation before delivery. But even before you conceive, you first need to get your body ready for pregnancy. Allowing yourself some time to assess your body, is key to lay the foundation for a healthy body and pregnancy. If you are actively trying to have a baby, here are a few things you need to do to prepare your body for the journey of bringing life into the world.

1. Take Folic Acid

If you are getting ready to make a baby, a multivitamin with folic acid is a must to avoid birth defects. You need folic acid to prevent issues with the spinal cord and the brain. Ideally, you should start taking a multivitamin with folic acid three to four months before pregnancy. Pregnancy Side Effects: Unfortunate Things That Happen When You Are Pregnant!

2. Check for Chronic Diseases

While you may feel and seem perfectly healthy, it is important to get some tests done to detect long-term, under-the-radar illnesses. You may not have a condition at the first place, but chronic diseases need to be monitored from time to time. However, if you are aware of a chronic condition like blood pressure and diabetes, it is best that you see a doctor at least six months before conceiving.

3. Test for Inherited or Genetic Diseases

Family history matters when it comes to the health of your future family. So if anyone in your family have had a child born with birth defects, seizure disorders or diabetes, be sure that you get yourself tested for genetic or inherited disorders. A thorough discussion about your family's genetic history will ensure that nothing is passed on to your baby. Strangest Things That Happen To Your Vagina When You Are Pregnant

4. Tune In To Your Period

It might sound simple but taking note of that time of the time will save your time as well as stress. You know that ovulation typically occurs 14 days prior to getting your period and the sperm waits for 72 hours. The idea is to have the sperm waiting for the egg so having intercourse on these days increases the chances of forming an embryo.

5. Address Your Anxieties

Apart from sharing your medical history, expressing any worries is also vital. Discuss any concerns you have with your doctor like your prior pregnancy history. Let them know if you had a vaginal tear extended to your rectum or you had a pre-term delivery or any other issue that arose. It is important to address your anxieties as this will change the way the doctors manage your pregnancy. Keto Diet and Pregnancy: Is The Low-Carb, High-Fat Weight Loss Plan Safe For Moms-To-Be?

6. Clean Up Your Diet

Maintaining a healthy weight, exercising and sticking to a balanced diet is vital before getting pregnant. So eliminate all non-pasteurised, cheese, cold cuts and raw foods from your diet. Plant foods, whole grains, lean meats and healthy fats should be the highlight of your pre-pregnancy diet. If you really do not know what to eat, seek out a nutritionist to help guide you in the right direction.

For growing a healthy baby, you need to create a nourishing environment where it can thrive. So do not forget to assess your lifestyle behaviours. Quit smoking, get more sleep and limit your caffeine intake.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 19, 2019 12:50 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).