If you and your partner have decided to expand your family and get pregnant, then many things must be going through your mind right now!

If you’re living in Australia, there’s good news for you because – back in 2012 – the government decided to spend nearly 58 million AUD on family planning in the next 5 years.

From trying out different doctors to understanding the entire journey of childbirth, it’s truly a rollercoaster of emotions.

This is why it’s important to keep in mind a few important points even amid this emotional phase. So here is a checklist of the essential things before you start trying for pregnancy.

1. Eat healthy foods

One of the most important things you must ensure throughout this journey is to keep your body healthy.

Keep your fridge stocked up with nutrient-rich items like fruits, vegetables, lean meat, fish, and low-fat dairy products. You need to have a high amount of protein in your body, and legumes and nuts will ensure you have plenty.

Other than that, you must also consume food items rich in folic acid, iron, and calcium to keep yourself strong.

Cut down on junk food like fried items, chips, and sugary products.

2. Talk with your partner

If you have already decided to plan for babies, you might have spoken about it to your partner. But if you haven’t, you must.

A pre-pregnancy parenting talk with your significant other will help you understand how ready you both actually are.

Moreover, you will have to split the baby chores, and it’s best to decide beforehand.

In the beginning, a lot of this talk will seem strange and overwhelming but remember to push through the uncomfortable bits. 

3. Take supplements

Folic acid keeps the mother healthy during the nine months of pregnancy and prevents problems in the fetus’ central nervous system.

Doctors usually recommend about 400 micrograms of folic acid supplements per day for women planning to get pregnant.

It’s best to start taking these supplements at least three months before you’re actually able to conceive. Even after you conceive, keep taking them. However, ask your general physician before starting this course.

4. Quit substance use

Unhealthy habits like drinking, smoking, or even taking drugs can severely affect your baby and you. Therefore, you must not only cut down on them but quit at least a few months before trying to conceive.

If you’re a social drinker, it might not be that tough to quit drinking wine occasionally, but even then, start as early as possible.

Even smoking can affect the quality of sperm or eggs. Not to mention, it increases the risk of miscarriage or congenital disorders in the baby.

5. Exercise every day

Being underweight can lead to complications while birthing, and the baby might be underweight.

On the other hand, being overweight can cause gestational diabetes or high blood pressure.

To maintain optimal body weight, you need to exercise daily. You need not hit the gym or do excessive workout sessions; just a little bit of daily movement is enough to keep you fit.

Try out exercises like jogging, cycling, or even outdoor sports like swimming or tennis.

6. Get a couple’s health screening

Before family planning, many couples forget to get a health screening like the Genetic Carrier Screening test.

If you don’t get one done with your partner, you might not know the underlying genetic or biological diseases your child might suffer from later, such as thalassemia or STDs.

Make sure to get a full-body checkup done at a reputed institution such as Monash IVF. If any genetic disease is found after the screening, your doctor will tell you the possible medication and precautions.

7. Save up money

After your baby is born, you’ll have to save a huge amount each month to fund your little one’s school, college, and other expenses.

Even if you don’t consider all these, you’ll have to pay for getting the baby’s room done, for diapers, feeding bottles, and a ton of other things.

So even before the pregnancy, you must put aside some money for emergency funds. You don’t have to start with a large amount right away. Instead, start with something small and then increase the monthly savings.

Over to you…

If you’re suffering from any long-term medical complication, you need to approach your healthcare provider and discuss the possible side effects of family planning.

Take a calm, calculated approach with your partner to invite your little one into a beautiful world!

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