Your Pregnancy To-Do Check List

There are several things you should do before you try to conceive. You need to make sure your vaccines are up to date. Medications should be approved by your doctor and there are medical tests that should be run prior to conception.

Vaccines
There are many diseases that are very dangerous for an unborn baby if the mother should be infected.  Some of these include chicken pox, rubella, and hepatitis B.  All of these are largely preventable with a vaccine.  Since these conditions are preventable it is important that you take the steps necessary prior to conception to insure you do not contract these diseases. By making sure your vaccines are up to date you reduce the risk of later complications.

Medications
There are different classifications for medications that depend on how safe they are for expecting mothers.  It is important that you tell your doctor all of the prescription and non prescription medicines you are taking as well as any herbal supplements.  If you are currently taking anything that could have a harmful affect on the baby your doctor will need to find an alternative medication or have you stop taking them altogether.  This is also the time to start taking prenatal vitamins because it is during the first month of pregnancy that many of these vitamins are vital to the development of the fetus.

Weight Loss, Exercise and Vitamin Supplementation
Before attempting to conceive, moms will want their bodies to be the epitome of health. Losing any excess weight and adopting a healthy exercise regime can help to make the pregnancy and birth processes far easier. Taking a prenatal vitamin for a few months before conception helps to build optimal levels of vitamins, nutrients and folic acid in the body. Folic acid is most important during the first few weeks after conception and helps to prevent neural tube defects of the fetus.

Exercise programs adopted before conception can be maintained for the length of the pregnancy. In addition to normal exercises, Kegel exercises will help during the birthing process. Kegel exercises are used to tighten the muscles used to push baby out during childbirth.

Tests
In addition to a routine pelvic exam there are several other tests that should be ideally performed prior to conception.  If you think there is a possibility that you have a sexually transmitted disease it is best to find out as soon as possibility because it can affect the development of the pregnancy.  Some of these are treatable and treatment should be completed prior to conception.  Additionally, if there are genetic disorders that are common in your family you may want to be tested for those genetic abnormalities.

Preparing for baby is about far more than just setting up that beautiful room. The female body will undergo dramatic changes immediately after conception and for the ensuing 40 weeks of fetal growth. The idea is to prepare the body before baby is conceived and make the growth process all the more enjoyable for mom and for baby. If you are thinking about getting pregnant, talk with your gynecologist before conceiving about any health concerns you may have.

In addition to a routine pelvic exam there are several other tests that should be ideally performed prior to conception.  If you think there is a possibility that you have a sexually transmitted disease it is best to find out as soon as possibility because it can affect the development of the pregnancy.  Some of these are treatable and treatment should be completed prior to conception.  Additionally, if there are genetic disorders that are common in your family you may want to be tested for those genetic abnormalities.

Preparing for baby is about far more than just setting up that beautiful room. The female body will undergo dramatic changes immediately after conception and for the ensuing 40 weeks of fetal growth. The idea is to prepare the body before baby is conceived and make the growth process all the more enjoyable for mom and for baby. If you are thinking about getting pregnant, talk with your gynecologist