Bulletproof Your Pregnancy

6 things to do before you become pregnant

One approach to improving birth outcomes is to focus on improving health before pregnancy. “Entering pregnancy healthy gives you the best possible chance to stay that way yourself and have a healthy baby,” Spong says. “If you have health problems, get those under control. Get yourself in as good shape as you can for that baby.”

And if you aren’t planning a pregnancy in the near future? There’s no downside to optimizing your health. Plus, over half of all pregnancies are unplanned, so it only makes sense for women who are sexually active to consider their reproductive health.

A two-year collaborative effort by experts from government agencies, national medical organizations, and nonprofits such as the March of Dimes yielded recommendations for health-care providers and consumers to improve preconception health and care. Here are the top five.

1. Take folic acid. Aim for 400 mcg of a day starting at least 3 months before becoming pregnant to cut the risk of neural tube (i.e. nervous system) defects by at least half.

2. Stop bad habits. That means smoking, drinking alcohol excessively, and using illegal drugs. Smoking is associated with premature birth, low birth weight, and other pregnancy complications. It’s never safe to smoke or use recreational drugs during pregnancy because those substances can harm the developing fetus even before you realize you are pregnant.Any alcohol during pregnancy—especially during the second half of the first trimester—puts your baby at risk for fetal alcohol syndrome, according to a recent study.

3. Take control of chronic disease. If you have a health condition such as asthma, diabetes, epilepsy, or high blood pressure, be sure to get it under control. For example, losing excess weight before pregnancy decreases the risk of neural tube defects, pre-term delivery, gestational diabetes, blood clots, and other adverse effects.

4. Watch for harmful drugs and supplements. Talk with your general practitioner about any over-the-counter and prescription medicine you are taking, talk to your chiropractor about vitamins and other dietary or herbal supplements. Some medication, if not all, can cause miscarriages and birth defects and shouldn’t be taken by women who are, or might become, pregnant.

5. Avoid toxins. Those include hazardous chemicals or potentially infectious materials at work or at home. Stay away from solvents such as paint thinner. Don’t change the litter in your cat’s box; let someone else do it. And avoid handling pet hamsters, mice, and guinea pigs because they can carry a virus that can harm your baby.

6. Get adjusted. Chiropractic has been shown to promote neurological function (i.e. nerve supply to uterus) and help ensure ease and success of pregnancy. For more information about prenatal chiropractic visit us at www.livewellforlife.com.

Resources: Consumer Reports