It’s a Woman’s World: Best to plan ahead for pregnancy

Whether you are a hopeful first-time mother or you are looking to add another bundle of joy to your family, planning ahead for your pregnancy is an important step toward having a healthy baby.

These seven pre-pregnancy tips from Dr. Barbara Coulter-Smith, an obstetrician/gynecologist on the medical staff at Baylor Regional Medical Center at Grapevine, Texas, will help you give your baby a great start to life.

1. Make sure you get enough folic acid, a B vitamin that protects against defects like spina bifida. Talk to your doctor about incorporating a folic-acid supplement into your daily routine.

2. Ensure that your vaccinations are up to date. You should be vaccinated against rubella, chickenpox and tetanus.

3. Kick bad habits. Stop smoking before you start trying to conceive, and don’t drink excessively. If you suspect you could be pregnant, play it safe and abstain from drinking too.

4. Stay fit by maintaining a healthy weight and exercising. Being overweight can increase your risk of gestational diabetes and other complications, and exercise will help you maintain that healthy weight.

5. Talk to your doctor about any chronic health problems. Discuss any pregnancy risks, and determine what medications are safe to take if you become pregnant. Don’t forget to consider family history or any hereditary disorders also.

6. Consider waiting one month after stopping contraception before trying to conceive. Your first spontaneous menstrual cycle after stopping contraception indicates that your body is ready to support new life.

7. This one’s for the father-to-be: The future dad should consider sperm count and, therefore, avoid hot tubs, saunas, smoking and drinking, all of which can affect a man’s fertility.