Pregnancy preparation

introduction

When couples make the decision to have a child, it is often an important milestone in a relationship. If you are ready to have offspring together, you are ready to take on responsibility together. In the future, the focus will no longer be on your own partnership, but on the child together.
In order to optimally prepare for a pregnancy, there are a few things that expectant mothers or couples can do in advance.

Stress reduction

If a woman is planning to become pregnant, she should try to avoid stressful situations. Stress leads to the release of stress hormones, which in turn can have a negative impact on fertility.
This also makes sense for evolutionary reasons, because a woman who is very stressed has no capacity and no physical reserves for a child.

Relaxation and conscious leisure time experiences help with relaxation. Physical exercise, long walks and activities that are fun also help to reduce everyday stress. Taking a vacation can also help reduce stress

Diet and exercise

In order to optimally prepare for a pregnancy, you should definitely pay attention to your own lifestyle. Sufficient physical activity and a healthy diet are essential for good health. Only when the mother is healthy can the child develop optimally in the womb.
Both underweight and overweight have a negative impact on fertility and often lead to complications during pregnancy. The child's development may be delayed or premature births may occur. A lot of vegetables should be eaten in the diet. Mediterranean dishes, such as fish, are also very healthy because they contain a lot of folic acid. Folic acid is very important for the development of the child's brain and should be taken in sufficient quantities during pregnancy.
In addition, you should ensure that you drink a sufficient amount of at least 2 liters per day.
Consultation with a gynecologist is helpful in finding out the optimal diet before and during pregnancy.

Read more also: Diet during pregnancy

When it comes to physical activity, a light endurance program is particularly beneficial. Running, swimming or cycling are very good for this.
In addition, endurance sports can help reduce stress. A balanced strength training can also improve the condition of the woman and lead to a better body feeling. A woman who is feeling good has a more positive attitude. This can only have a positive effect on fertility and the course of pregnancy.

If you want, you can also specifically train the pelvic floor muscles. This can be beneficial because the pelvic floor has the most important stability function, especially towards the end of pregnancy. The pelvic floor must balance the weight of the child so that the maternal organs and the child are held in place.

Checking the vaccination status before a planned pregnancy

The mother's vaccination status should be checked by a doctor before a planned pregnancy, as many vaccinations must not be given during pregnancy in order not to endanger the child. These include, for example, vaccinations against measles, mumps and rubella.
In order to optimally protect yourself and the child, however, these vaccinations should definitely have been carried out. Therefore, a medical clarification of the vaccination status is recommended in any case. If gaps are discovered in the vaccination certificate, the corresponding vaccinations can be refreshed before the start of pregnancy. This forms the optimal basis for the health of mother and child during and after pregnancy.

Read more on the topic: Vaccination during pregnancy

Medical evaluation

Apart from the vaccination certificate, a holistic health check before the beginning of a pregnancy cannot hurt.

If the expectant mother has chronic illnesses, these should be treated therapeutically beforehand. In the case of inheritable diseases, the couple should be advised in advance about possible genetic risks for the future child. Routine interventions, such as visits to the dentist, should also be carried out before the start of pregnancy, as interventions that pose a potential risk of infection are reluctant to undertake during pregnancy.

The expectant mother is also reassured when she can be sure before the start of her pregnancy that she is healthy and that there are optimal conditions for the adequate development of a child.

Nicotine and alcohol abstinence

Smokers who want to have a child should start reducing their cigarette consumption before the planned pregnancy.
Since it is not easy to quit smoking, it should be started early. If your partner is also a smoker, you should definitely take part in quitting smoking.
If only one partner tries to quit smoking, this procedure has little chance of success in the long term.However, smoking cessation is very important in order not to endanger the child's health. Women who smoke while pregnant are at higher risk of losing the child during pregnancy. Premature births and sudden infant deaths are also significantly more common among smokers.
Last but not least, the child's development is influenced by nicotine consumption in such a way that the children are often born with a significantly low birth weight. The child's mental development can also be impaired.
Passive smoking is just as harmful to the mother as if she actively smokes herself. It is therefore extremely important that the partner also quit smoking.

Read more on the subject at: How dangerous is smoking during pregnancy?

With regard to alcohol consumption, it should be said that it is absolutely forbidden during pregnancy. Alcohol has a toxic effect on all cells of the organism, but it is particularly dangerous for the child's brain, which is still developing. Women who consume alcohol during pregnancy often have children with fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS).
The children go through withdrawal symptoms after birth because they were constantly exposed to maternal alcohol levels during pregnancy.
These children often have behavioral problems, have retarded development and sometimes also have reduced intelligence.
In addition, there are specific physical abnormalities (narrow red upper lip, wide-spaced eyes, low ears, and much more), which can already be seen from the outside that a fetal alcohol syndrome is present.

Read more on the topic: Alcohol during pregnancy

Communication and planning

In general, it can make a lot of things easier if you think about life with the planned offspring at an early stage. Some things should be clarified beforehand. It is particularly important that both partners are sure that the time has come for offspring.
The desire to have children should by no means be one-sided. This later harbors a high potential for conflict. If this basis is clearly there, there are other important factors that need to be clarified. This includes in particular the financial background.
How the child's care can be ensured should also be discussed in advance. Which partner stays at home? Are there relatives nearby who can and would like to help out? Are there any accommodation options in the vicinity (daycare centers, etc.)? How does the couple imagine everyday life with a child?
Of course, you shouldn't plan too much before pregnancy. This can add extra pressure in case of difficulty getting pregnant. However, it is helpful to clarify the basics beforehand, as this can save the couple a lot of stress during pregnancy.