Pre-pregnancy care is essential to all women. Getting ready before you conceive is the ultimate start to becoming a new parent. If you know the dos and don’ts, you’ll have a smooth transition from singlehood to being a full-fledged mom. 

You may hear varying pieces of advice from the people around you, but to save you some time from dodging the wrong ones, we created a listicle of what you must know before enjoying the beauty of motherhood. We’ll cover this in two articles.

1. Cherish your Singlehood and Embrace Possible Lifestyle Changes

You may find this a bit confusing, but literally, the life of a single woman is far different from being a mom. It’s true what they say that being a mother is a 24/7 job, and once you have a child, there’s no going back. 

WORK: Speaking of jobs, you need to consider the industry and your kind of work.

Although our laws do not prohibit moms from working, some jobs will no longer suit them. When you are expecting, you will have to ditch the heavy workload. A career that requires long working hours or that which exposes you to chemicals or hazardous substances is a no, no. 

Either you compromise with the company and cut back a little on your hours of work or find another job that will not put your pregnancy at risk. 

HOME: Ideally, you must move to a bigger space or house in a baby-friendly neighborhood. If you are already happy where you currently reside and it is in a good location, try to plan for possible renovations for a nursery.  

PERSONAL GOALS: Meet your singlehood goals no matter how petty they may be. Travel with your friends, binge-watch movies with your spouse, or check out some restaurants where they serve your favorite food and drinks.  

Chances are your food will be well-monitored once you get pregnant. Some food may be off-limits during your entire pregnancy, while some may need an extended ban until after breastfeeding.

CLOTHES: Appreciate your body and wear good clothes. You don’t have to buy new ones, and it is advisable not to. Once you get pregnant, your body will change, and it will adjust to make room for your little one. You may go back to shape afterward, but honestly, this selfless sacrifice may require bodily changes that may no longer go back to how it used to be. 

2. Get to Know your Family Health History

If you want to improve your chances of getting pregnant, you should consider keeping track of your health records and your family medical history. Knowing your pre-pregnancy health can allow you to prevent complications and possible health conditions or birth issues on your baby. 

You must know the health conditions and treatments received by everyone in your family and those of your in-laws. Being in the same bloodline, you are prone to struggle with the same kinds of diseases. Studies show that certain chronic diseases can lead to pregnancy issues, so if you discover a health issue during your check-up, try to get treatment first before conceiving. 

3. Meet your Doctor for a Pre-pregnancy Check-up

Months before getting pregnant, make sure that you attend your medical check-ups regularly. A good doctor who knows you well enough can arrive at a better diagnosis when something goes wrong in your pregnancy. It’s advisable to seek your specialist like a licensed Obstetrician-Gynecologist. Any doctor can answer your general health queries, but an Ob-Gyn is the one you can trust on issues about pregnancy. 

Make sure to get your vaccines and boosters up-to-date, and get some laboratory works on your blood sugar, cholesterol level, and even blood pressure. You must be fit and healthy to carry your child. Try to avoid chronic health conditions like diabetes, heart diseases, or even STDs.

If you are taking any medicines regularly, you have to disclose this to your doctor as well so, they’ll have a better understanding of your condition. They may prescribe a different kind of prenatal medicine and vitamins to support your baby’s growth.

Another wise thing to do is to have dental check-ups. A careful examination of your teeth and gums can help prevent miscarriage, preeclampsia, and pre-term babies. Surprising, right? Research show that chronic gum diseases can lead to premature delivery and underweight babies. Gingivitis or bleeding in the gums is common to pregnant women too, and you need dental care, so it will not become worse. 

During pregnancy, our body goes through a lot of changes due to hormonal imbalance. So, you will need a doctor you can comfortably consult with from time to time.

4. Condition your Body and Engage in Physical Activities 

If you are more petite in size, consult your doctor to know if you need to ”bulk up” to achieve your ideal body mass index (BMI). It is worthy to note that being slim doesn’t necessarily mean you are healthy or vice versa. 

Now, if you are a bit on the heavier side, you might need to conversely exercise and shed some pounds. Start an exercise routine or enroll in a class that you can still stick with even after giving birth (such as yoga or Pilates).

The healthier you are, the healthier your baby can be, so get in shape months ahead. Your workout intensity will be a little less when you are already pregnant. So, be physically active to avoid health problems during pregnancy.

Conclusion

A lot will change the moment you decide to have a baby of your own. Your life will be full of spontaneity and uncontrollable situations. So, take hold of what you can control now and embrace the complexities to come. No matter how things may change, savor the moment. It may be exhausting sometimes, but your joy will be uncontainable, and your sacrifices will be truly rewarding. 

And don’t forget to stay tuned for part 2!