What should i do before becoming pregnant

Smoking cigarettes, even socially, can affect your egg quality and your hubby's sperm -- not to mention increase your risk of birth defects , miscarriage, preterm labor, and other conditions after you become pregnant. It's estimated that up to 13 percent of fertility problems may be caused by tobacco use, according to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine -- and no level of smoking or exposure to smoke is safe.

In fact, research shows that even women exposed to secondhand smoke have more problems getting pregnant than those who aren't. Bottom line: There's never been a better time to kick butt, and insist your partner does too. If the Starbucks barista knows your order as soon as you step up the counter or you can't get through the workday without four cups of French roast, "do yourself a favor and cut back your caffeine intake now," says Dr. FYI: Doctors are mixed about how much caffeine is safe once you are expecting.

Most condone the equivalent in a small cup of java a day -- about milligrams -- though some may recommend forgoing it entirely, especially in the first trimester. And don't forget to tally other common sources of caffeine, like soda, tea, energy drinks, and even certain pain medications. A ounce can of soda or 8-ounce cup of green or black tea can pack anywhere from 30 to 60 milligrams of caffeine; two tablets of extra-strength Excedrin have milligrams.

If you're worried, start reading labels to see how much caffeine is in your diet. If you can stand to shed a few pounds, now is the time to go for it. Greene, "but it will help you have a healthier pregnancy and delivery with fewer risks and complications. And if you're on the skinny side, check with your doctor about whether you should bulk up a bit.

Being too thin -- especially if it throws your periods out of whack -- is a known fertility meddler. The get-pregnant ideal is a body mass index BMI between 19 and Catch as many flicks on the big screen as you can. Once you're pregnant, sitting still in the same position for a couple of hours -- combined with having to pee constantly -- can get uncomfortable.

And if you tend to fall asleep at the movies, it'll be that much harder to stay awake once pregnancy exhaustion kicks in. You know you'll have to start socking money away for college, diapers, and all that baby stuff eventually, and once you're pregnant, you definitely should. Jones, author of The Everything Get Ready for Baby Book , between all those doctor's co-pays, new maternity clothes , etc. And if you have money left over you can always spend it on nursery furniture or other baby expenses.

According to the March of Dimes, getting enough of this B vitamin before and early on in pregnancy can reduce brain and spine birth defects by up to 70 percent. And the multivitamin itself is packed with other nutrients crucial for a healthy pregnancy, like iron to prevent anemia and calcium for strong teeth and bones. Pop the pill after you brush your teeth in the morning or stash a jar at work and set an e-mail reminder to take it when you first get in.

If you hate swallowing pills, they come in chewable form too. Starting the habit now will make it easier to remember once you're expecting. Most of us anticipate sleepless nights once baby arrives, but many women don't realize that it can be tough to get a decent night's rest during pregnancy -- when things like heartburn, getting up to pee, and adjusting to side-snoozing can keep some expectant moms tossing and turning.

It may even help you get pregnant faster -- women who get too little sleep tend to have more problems ovulating regularly than those who don't, studies show.

Some research shows that having crazy-high stress levels can delay your ability to get pregnant by making ovulation wacky, or by interfering with an embryo's ability to implant in the uterus. If you're an uber-Type A personality to begin with, your stress may ramp up once you're pregnant and dealing with getting your home and life ready for baby. Whatever it is, if it works for you now, it will help you when you're pregnant or a new mom. Keeping up with your regular dental visits is not only good for your teeth and gums but also your overall health.

Maintain a healthy, balanced diet. Eating a variety of healthy foods is important for good health, especially during pregnancy. Hydration is also important, so drink plenty of water every day. Take folic acid. Certain vitamins, particularly folic acid, are important for fetal health and development and in reducing the risk for birth defects, including cleft lip and palate and spinal bifida.

The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology recommends that all women of childbearing age take folic acid with at least 0. Get regular exercise. Keeping active while trying to become pregnant helps you in so many ways. Exercise can help you maintain an optimal weight, reduce stress and help you feel good throughout pregnancy. Make a quit plan. You should also limit and decrease alcohol consumption and cut caffeine use to mg per day.

Eat a Balanced Diet. A few simple guidelines are: Reduce empty calories, artificial sweeteners, and caffeine. Eat foods that are high in protein. Fruits, vegetables, grains, and dairy products will make you healthier before you get pregnant. Pregnant women should: Eat up to 3 servings of fish a week of 4 ounces oz each. Avoid large ocean fish, such as shark and tilefish. Limit tuna intake to 1 can 85 g of white tuna or 1 tuna steak per week, or 2 cans g of light tuna per week.

Being overweight during pregnancy may increase your chances of problems, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, miscarriage, stillbirth, birth defects, and needing a cesarean birth C-section. It is not a good idea to try to lose weight during pregnancy. But it is very good idea to attain a healthy pregnancy body weight before conceiving. Take Vitamins and Folic Acid. Folic acid reduces the risk of birth defects, especially problems with the baby's spine.

Start taking a vitamin with folic acid before you want to get pregnant. Avoid high doses of any vitamin, especially vitamins A, D, E, and K. These vitamins can cause birth defects if you take more than the normal recommended daily amounts. Regular pregnancy prenatal vitamins do not have excessively high doses of any vitamin.

Stress, Rest, and Relaxation. Related MedlinePlus Health Topics. Preconception Care. Browse the Encyclopedia. Most people in the UK are immune to rubella, thanks to the uptake of the measles, mumps and rubella MMR vaccination. If you have not had 2 doses of the MMR vaccine, or you're not sure if you have, ask your GP surgery to check your vaccination history.

If you have not had both doses or there's no record available, you can have the vaccinations at your GP surgery. You should avoid getting pregnant for 1 month after having the MMR vaccination, which means you'll need a reliable method of contraception. If you have a long-term condition, such as epilepsy or diabetes, it could affect the decisions you make about your pregnancy — for example, where you might want to give birth.

Before you get pregnant, have a discussion with your specialist or a GP about getting pregnant. If you're taking medicine for a condition, do not stop taking it without talking to a doctor.

Sickle cell disease SCD and thalassaemia are inherited blood disorders that mainly affect people whose ancestors come from Africa, the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, India, Pakistan, south and Southeast Asia, and the Middle East. If you are pregnant and live in England you will be offered screening tests for these disorders, but you do not have to wait until you're pregnant before you have a test.

If you or your partner are concerned you may be a carrier for 1 of these disorders, perhaps because someone in your family has a blood disorder or is a carrier, it's a good idea to get tested before starting a family. You can ask for a free blood test from either a GP or a local sickle cell and thalassaemia centre.

Find out more about screening for sickle cell and thalassaemia in pregnancy. Page last reviewed: 21 January Next review due: 21 January