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Home › Articles › Improving Your Chances of Conceiving › Preconception Top 10

Preconception Top 10

Tips for a Healthy Conception

By Kelly Burgess

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4. Be Drug Smart
Not abusing drugs, legal or illegal, goes without saying. But beyond that, if you're on medication for a chronic condition it's important to check with your primary physician prior to becoming pregnant to be sure that the drug Preconception Top 10-Tips for a Healthy Conceptionyou're taking is safe for the baby. Don't just stop taking your medication, though, Dr. Mayer says, as that can put you at risk.

5. Exercise
Dr. Goetz calls it "walking shape." That would be a regular, non-strenuous exercise program that you can start before you get pregnant and maintain during and after pregnancy. This will cut down on pregnancy aches and pains and facilitate labor and delivery. "Pregnancy is a time to be in shape, but not a time to get started," Dr. Goetzl says. Start beforehand.

6. Check Your Immunizations
There have been a lot of changes in immunization guidelines in the past dozen years or so. Specifically, Dr. Goetzl says, be sure you're up-to-date on the Hepatitis B vaccine and that you are immune to chicken pox.

7. Chart Your Cycles
This is helpful for a couple of reasons, Dr. Mayer says. First, it can help you and your doctor pinpoint when you got pregnant. Second, charting for at least six months can alert you and your doctor to possible fertility issues much more quickly than not charting.

8. Weight
While, in general, your weight should not be a factor in trying to conceive, there are certain considerations for those who are extremely underweight or overweight. Dr. Plosker notes that obese women are more likely to have problems such as gestational diabetes and an increased risk of C-sections. In addition, if the mother is overweight, the baby is more likely to have a higher birth weight and be a heavy baby and child. Being underweight, on the other hand, can cause problems with conception. However, Dr. Plosker cautions against "fad" diets, which often rely on restrictive eating that can mean key nutrients are missing. Rather, aim for a healthy, balanced diet and just practice portion control, if necessary.


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Preconception Top 10 by Anonymous on 03/11/2010 12:22PM

Some women have to work in order to provide for their children, save for college, etc., especially if they are the primary breadwinner.

Preconception Top 10 by Anonymous on 02/14/2010 09:55PM

I don't understand how you planned so well for your students but then went back to work leaving your baby only 2 and a half months after he was born

Preconception Top 10 by Anonymous on 07/02/2009 10:22PM

This is such helpful information. I will be getting married this August and we are hoping to try and get pregnant as soon as we get married.

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