Before Getting Pregnant - Top Ten
Things You Should Know
By
Nathalie Fiset
Ask moms and they would
tell you how much joy and satisfaction they have gone
through during the period of their pregnancy. Some might
have been scared, some could have said that they would not
want to go through the experiences again while some could
tell you lovely stories of their happiness when they bore
within them a new life form that have changed the course of
their entire lives.
The variety of views on
pregnancy could be traced down from the lack of personal
knowledge when they were just about to get pregnant. In this
article, we would try to provide you enough information on
the top things you should know before getting pregnant.
1. Prepare for pregnancy
discomforts - Since the body is adjusting to fully
accommodate the development of the child inside the womb, it
would have to alter some of its chemical balances and
functions. And as we might all know when the body starts
behaving in this manner, the hormones and other chemicals
that will be released during pregnancy will lead to a
variety of discomforts that are normally not felt by a
woman. Usually, these discomforts are the tell-tale signs of
pregnancy which include nausea and vomiting, morning
sickness, fatigue, breast tenderness abdominal and back
pains, leg cramps and heartburn. All these, however, would
gradually pass once each trimester passes.
2. Prenatal checkups and
screenings - Optimal control over the possibilities that
would likely lead to birth defects must be carefully
monitored. Thus, if you are considering getting pregnant it
is best that you consult your health professional first so
that he could provide you with considerable information that
would yield into an informed decision. There is a series of
tests and screenings that you must undergo which include
screening for Cystic Fibrosis gene and Rubella antibodies.
3. Seek professional
counseling - A couple wanting to have a child should be
provided with enough information that would make them less
susceptible to errors. Pregnancy is a thing that anyone
could easily adapt with but it is but important that
professional guidance is always ready to make things a lot
more bearable for the mom to be and her husband.
4. No two pregnancies are
ever alike - Just like the fingerprints, there is too low
possibility that your previous pregnancy could be like your
next pregnancy. There are common symptoms that could be felt
but these also vary on every occasion. This is why it is
best to get prepared and be informed when wanting to get
pregnant. Previous experience could help of course but not
to the extent that these are not assurances that you could
perfectly pass through pregnancy without difficulties.
5. Brace yourself for
pregnancy symptoms - Each trimester of pregnancy has
distinct symptoms. Normally, the succession of symptoms
would pass once you are over a certain period of pregnancy.
Thus during the first trimester you would be able to feel
marked changes such as loss of menstruation, heightened
sensitivity to certain smells and mood swings. These primary
symptoms would gradually change into more pronounced
symptoms as the bodily changes shift towards the end of
pregnancy.
6. Caution for body
conscious mothers-to-be - You will gain weight and that’s a
hundred percent assurance but the pounds that would add to
your current weight would vary depending on your body type.
The weight gain is part of the entire pregnancy course which
is partially caused by urges to eat during the first or
second trimester of pregnancy and the additional weight of
the child you are bearing. The good news though is that
after giving birth, you could get rid of the extra pounds
you have gained.
7. A leave for working moms
- Because of the many changes, it is almost impossible for
you to accommodate both the stress at work and the time of
child bearing. Therefore, companies are considerate with
regards to the needs of their pregnant workers. It is best
that you inquire on your company's policies on maternity
leave.
8. Changes in your
relationship with your partner - This is often a good thing,
however some men react negatively on childbearing. In cases
like this, it is best that you seek the intervention of a
professional so as to prevent any major problems that might
occur in your relationship.
9. A need for exercise -
Being physically fit will help a lot when preparing for
becoming pregnant and it is best that you sustain a
comprehensive pregnancy exercise plan so as to make labor
and child bearing a lot more endurable for you.
10. For smoking women- If
you are a smoker and you want to get pregnant, you would
have to quit smoking months before your pregnancy. Tobacco
or cigarette smoke plus the harmful substance that these
contain will largely affect your child's health and could
possibly harm his or her on a long-term basis. There are a
lot of quit smoking techniques that you could administer on
yourself and through the help of health advisors.
