Just as you always prepare your body for parties (showering, wearing your best outfit, applying make-up, and wearing perfume), you would also prepare your body for pregnancy. Preparing your body for pregnancy ensures you’re in the best possible health before conceiving. Most of the preparations are related to life style changes:
Avoid drinking alcohol
Drinking alcohol of any kind (Uganda Waragi, Beer, Wine, and Whisky) may reduce your fertility when trying to conceive. Thus some people’s struggle with conception may be attributed to alcohol. Your menstrual cycle, ovulation, and hormone levels are impacted by alcohol. After you have conceived, drinking can lead to serious problems for the baby since alcohol can pass through the placenta and enter the baby’s bloodstream. Consequently, it causes premature birth and developmental disorders. If you find it difficult to stop drinking at least reduce the amount of alcohol you drink before conception, during pregnancy, and when breastfeeding.
Start eating a healthy diet
Eating a balanced diet before and during pregnancy is very good for your overall health, and it’s essential for nourishing the unborn baby. Choose plenty of fruits like Mangoes, Fene, Apples; vegetables like Nakati, Sukuma wiki and Dodo, whole grains like millet and brown rice; low-fat dairy and lean proteins. However, avoid processed foods. Reduce your coffee intake. Do not take more than one to two cups of coffee per day.
Reduce exposure to dangerous substances
Radiation such as X-rays, and hazardous chemicals like pesticides should be avoided by expecting mothers. The developing baby may be adversely affected by exposure to such radiations and hazardous chemical substances. If need for X-ray arises, inform your doctor before obtaining the X-ray. It might be possible to delay the X-ray or alter it to lessen the radiation, depending on the situation.
Exercise regularly and manage your body weight
Proper body weight is required before and during pregnancy. Overweight may lead to medical problems such as high blood pressure and diabetes. On the other hand underweight may lead to producing babies with low birth weight. Measure your weight 3 to 4 months before conceiving and ask your doctor or midwife how much weight you need to lose or gain.
If you smoke, leave smoking
According to studies, babies born to women who smoke are more likely to be born prematurely, have lower birth weights, and experience unexplained death. Additionally, women who are exposed to passive smoking are more likely to give birth to babies who are underweight. If your husband or lover smokes and he is not quite ready to quit, he should do the following: Go outside and away from everyone when he smokes, avoid smoking in the car, wash his hands and brush teeth each time after smoking.
Reduce risk of infection
Do not eat undercooked beef, goat’s meat, or pork and raw eggs. Stay away from sick people and constantly wash your hands. Keep your toilet and birth rooms clean. Avoid dirty public toilets as much as possible.
Take vitamins
Get prescription from a health facility and start taking a prenatal vitamin or folic acid. The likelihood of brain and spinal cord birth abnormalities is decreased by folic acid.
References
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/planning-a-pregnancy