Diet
Try to eat a balanced diet with foods from all four food groups. This ensures that you receive all the vitamins and minerals that are essential for a healthy pregnancy. Try to get a balance of proteins, fats, carbohydrates and fruit and vegetables.
Two of the most important nutrients in pregnancy are folic acid and calcium. Vitamin supplements can be used to ensure that you get a sufficient level of both.
Try to reduce your intake of caffeine and alcohol. Some research indicates that caffeine can delay conception or show links with infertility and it does seem to lower a woman’s chances of conceiving.
Weight
This is a hot topic in the news at present. Research has shown that underweight mothers tend to have low birth weight babies. Other studies have linked a overly high BMI (Body Mass Index) with a lower chance of conceiving.
Exercise
Try to indulge in some form of physical exercise every day for six to twelve months before conceiving. This can help to maintain an active lifestyle during pregnancy, and will help during labour. Aerobic exercise can improve moods and energy levels and help you to achieve a healthy pre-pregnancy weight.
Walking, jogging, running, swimming, aerobics and cycling are all good forms of exercise before you become pregnant. Pre-pregnancy exercises for getting in shape include walking, jogging, running, swimming, and aerobics. It’s a good idea to consult your doctor before starting a new exercise programme.
Alcohol, Recreational Drugs And Smoking
Numerous studies have shown that smoking, drinking and taking drugs are connected to low birth weight babies, miscarriage and cot death (Sudden infant death syndrome or SIDS.) Trying to break these habits before becoming pregnant gives you the greatest chance of giving them up altogether.