Pregnancy planning isn’t just about stopping contraception and waiting for a positive pregnancy test; it goes much further. It involves various aspects, such as maintaining good health, eating a balanced diet, and making sure you are aware of your menstrual cycle to identify your fertile days. It’s also important to consult a health professional before conceiving for personalized guidance.
In my experience, getting pregnant was very complicated since I have the hormonal issues PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) and Endometriosis. We spent a couple of years trying, and we even went through a miscarriage. It was a tough blow for both of us, but it made me realize the importance of PREGNANCY PLANNING and what I had to do beyond the desire to be parents to achieve it.
Below, I will list the points you should take into account for planning a pregnancy.
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Consult a gynecologist—they will tell you what to do if you suffer from any hormonal issues. The first step is to check that your health is optimal; if it isn’t, they will indicate the next step to achieve it.
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Maintain a balanced diet with fruits and vegetables. Consume a diet rich in iron, protein, and calcium. If you are overweight, it will be more difficult to conceive. Consult a nutritionist to work alongside your process.
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Do not smoke or consume alcohol or substances harmful to the body. If your body is detoxified from these substances that only damage the quality of life and your system, it will be very difficult to reach your goal. They can even worsen any health situation you have, so avoid them or quit completely if possible.
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Exercise—yoga, pilates, running, walking, etc.—whichever you like. It will help greatly to improve your general health, enhance your physical fitness, and make you feel better.
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If you suffer from a chronic illness, you must consult your doctor so they can assess the potential risks and indicate your options for getting pregnant.
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It will probably take more than 3 months to exercise, lose weight, and get your health in optimal condition. In my case, it took around 6 months to lose about 24 pounds. What I want to get at with the specific 3-month period is that it’s the perfect time to start taking folic acid and other vitamins, not only for you but for your partner. It has been shown that supplementing with folic acid alone or in combination with other vitamins 3 months before becoming pregnant significantly decreases the prevalence of neural tube defects in the fetus. So, when you want to “do the homework,” keep the above in mind! It is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT.
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Relax, let go. I know it might sound cliché because everyone says that the day you relax, it happens, but it’s true. I experienced it. I started seeing my changes as something good for my body, and if we managed to get pregnant, I would be calmer having let go of bad habits that were only harming my body.
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Age is important. Pregnancy in women over 35 has become more frequent in recent decades. Although this trend is increasingly common, we should not fail to consider that fertility decreases after 35 and is even lower after 40. Although it is not impossible to get pregnant at this age, it is necessary to know that the quality and quantity of oocytes decrease, and as a result, there is a greater risk of miscarriage, chromosomal abnormalities, complications such as gestational diabetes, hypertension, preeclampsia, among other problems. Not everything is bad; being a parent at this age has advantages in raising a child; most people have greater emotional, personal, and financial stability. I am sure that accompanied by medical advice, a healthy pregnancy is possible.
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Last but not least is your mental health. Visiting a psychologist or psychiatrist is never a bad idea. It is well known that pregnancy brings with it many physical and hormonal changes that can be assimilated more easily with the help of a mental health specialist.
These are some of the steps I followed to achieve it. It seems overwhelming and a long list, but without a doubt, the reward is satisfying in every sense. It will be for your body and mind; changing to better habits always helps you feel better day by day, and if it also brings with it the opportunity to make your desire to be a parent a reality, it will be incredible.
Every great change begins with the first step—a step that will lead you to achieve your dreams. The only thing preventing you from making it a reality will be not trying…
Sarahí Dominguez
Soy Sarahí Domínguez, Mexicana viviendo en Las Vegas. Me apasiona el arte. Nail artist de profesión y pintora en mi tiempo libre. Amo la comida mexicana, las mariposas y el color rosa
