7 Things All Couples Should Do Before Getting Pregnant

Certain tips before getting pregnant apply to everyone. No matter where you are in life, you should stop smoking and start taking a prenatal vitamin if you are considering becoming pregnant. However, for those who come to the parenting journey later in life, general pregnancy tips are not always helpful. Specific discussions of fertility supplementation for women and strategies for improving egg health may be more beneficial. Whichever category you belong to, it’s never too early to start planning your pregnancy. If you and your partner are considering trying to conceive, there are plenty of things you can start doing now to prepare for the road ahead.

1. Talk about parenting

You and your partner are a team when it comes to raising your future children. Before you get pregnant is a great time to start conversations about big parenting issues. Discuss how you would deal with debt, childcare, and education. You don’t need to have all the answers during these conversations. This time to explore your thoughts and preferences. You will get some training on how to compromise and resolve quarrels, which are basic skills that you should have once you welcome a child into your home. Don’t forget to include some fun parenting topics in your conversations, like family vacations and holiday traditions.

2. Make healthy changes

Pregnancy can be tough on both partners’ bodies. The health of both parents can have long-term effects on the health of your children in the future. Now is the time to start making healthy changes to improve pregnancy and the general health of your future children.

You and your partner should aim for a healthy weight. Your BMI ranges from 18 to 24. If you are significantly overweight, a decrease in total body weight of 7.5% has been shown to provide significant health benefits. It lowers blood pressure, increases insulin sensitivity and can increase your overall energy, all of which are great things when planning pregnancy.

3. Change your diet

It is an unfortunate fact that many of the foods and drinks we consume are not the best for us. When you are pregnant, what you eat not only affects you; It affects your unborn baby. If you start reducing your intake of these forbidden items before pregnancy, it will not be difficult to give them up when you are ready to become pregnant. Couples considering pregnancy should reduce their alcohol and caffeine intake. They should also avoid foods that contain trans fats, as they have been linked to infertility .

Both partners should reduce their consumption of high-mercury fish such as tuna and swordfish. Mercury is a toxic metal that can build up in the blood and cause brain damage. Now is the perfect time to start taking a prenatal vitamin, too. You will establish a routine, so you are less likely to forget your daily dose once you become pregnant.

4. Go on “date nights”

Once pregnancy occurs, some activities become more difficult or less enjoyable. Maximize your pre-pregnancy time by going on date nights as frequently as possible. Watch movies in the theater because once you’re pregnant, sitting still for two hours without a bathroom break is nearly impossible. Go hiking or camping – plan long-distance air travel and any other trips that will be more difficult once you’re pregnant. Take advantage of your pre-pregnancy time to connect as a couple. It’s time to make memories. Once your child enters your life, things will change forever, in the best possible way.

5. Start saving

We hope you have already understood that children are expensive. The average cost of raising an American family for one child into adulthood is now more than $275,000 . The sooner you start saving, the more you can harness the power of compound interest. Before you get pregnant, start saving for an emergency fund to ensure your family is safe in case something comes up. For most people, an emergency fund should be three times their monthly expenses. When you have a child to support, targeting your expected expenses for six months is a good goal to achieve.

You may want to use your pre-pregnancy time to research college savings accounts for your future child. Most states offer a tax-deferred savings account called 529 that offers significant benefits.

6. Practice relaxation

Pregnancy and parenthood can come with a lot of stress for couples. Use your time before having a baby to explore relaxation techniques and find what works best for you. A side benefit of relaxation exercise is that it may help you get pregnant faster. Many different activities effectively relieve stress. Meditation and yoga often come to mind first. However, physical activity such as running or swimming can be very relaxing for some people. Journaling and writing down your thoughts for five to fifteen minutes before bed can also help you relax and fall asleep faster.

Connecting with friends and family over tea or lunch creates valuable memories and reduces stress at the same time. Once you become pregnant, having a support system that you can rely on is very beneficial. You will be able to share some of your burdens and relax without fear of being judged. By creating these close relationships before pregnancy, you will know you have the right people right where you need them.

7. Visit your doctors

You and your partner should visit your doctors before becoming pregnant. Your family doctor can examine you to make sure everything is in order to deal with the rigors of pregnancy and childbirth. They can also provide genetic testing and counseling services to help you and your partner discuss any challenges you may face.

However, your doctor is not the only doctor you should visit. Before pregnancy, a woman should visit a dentist and an ophthalmologist. Any procedures or implants that you need are safer to do before pregnancy. Additionally, improving oral health can reduce your chances of having a miscarriage .

If you don’t have a therapist, now might be a good time to start seeing him. Your mental health is very important in all aspects of your life. The many hormonal changes a woman’s body goes through during pregnancy can be stressful both mentally and physically. By establishing a routine with a therapist before you get pregnant, you will have an important resource that will support you through any challenges you may face.

Enjoy your journey into parenthood

This is an exciting time in your life. As a couple, you and your partner will face many changes and challenges on your way to becoming parents. Even if you’ve had a child before, spending time together completing the activities on this list brings you closer as a couple and helps you prepare for that next step.