Getting pregnant sometimes isn't the hard part. Sometimes it's the planning. Things can get complicated if you aren't prepared. If you want your baby to be healthy, you must maintain good health yourself. To help you prepare for pregnancy, we've listed down some important things you should do before conceiving.
1. Get Private Health Insurance
This is one of the things that most people fail to give proper attention too. They leave organising health insurance for later, only to find out that it's too late. So, before you conceive, get a private pregnancy cover. You won't be able to take advantage of pregnancy insurance if you're already pregnant. This is because a health insurer will only pay the benefits after a 1-year waiting period.
Pregnancy is covered by our health care system. So, you might ask why you need private health insurance. The reason is that despite being covered, pregnancy can leave you with several unexpected expenses. So, it's a good idea to get private health insurance to ensure you're covered for all pregnancy-related expenses.
2. See Your Primary Healthcare Provider
Schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider and discuss your pregnancy plan with them. They'll help you identify the status of your physical health, possible complications and any issues that may arise due to family history.
3. Maintain a Healthy Weight
If you're overweight or underweight, you'll have a greater chance of experiencing fertility issues. While many overweight or underweight women don't experience any problems conceiving, these two groups do encounter ovulation issues. If you're overweight or underweight, visit your doctor before trying to conceive so that any potential obstacles can be identified.
4. Limit Alcohol and Caffeine
While you're trying to convince, limit your caffeine intake. Most experts recommend 200 to 300 milligrams of caffeine to women who're trying to get pregnant. While there isn't any clear link between fertility and caffeine consumption, some research suggests that it can potentially lead to miscarriage and fertility problems. Consuming alcohol also has an adverse effect on fertility. You should limit its consumption during pre-conception. Or try to avoid it altogether.
5. Start Exercising
Being fit will make pregnancy easier on your body. In fact, doing some moderate-level exercises may even help you to conceive. If you haven't been exercising, join a gym and workout under the guidance of a personal trainer. Consider getting advice from your doctor if you have health issues that might interfere with the exercise.
