Before becoming pregnant there are a few things that you can do to prepare for this wonderful experience.

1^st– Schedule a preconception appointment.  During this appointment discuss your desire to become pregnant with your practitioner.  Assess where you are and where you want to be before becoming pregnant.  Your practitioner can give you tips about your health, lifestyle and any pre-existing conditions that may affect your ability to become pregnant and have the healthiest pregnancy possible.

2^nd– Exercise.  Exercising is an essential component to any lifestyle.  Establishing a routine before pregnancy will make you more likely to continue to exercise throughout your pregnancy.  Exercise is beneficial for you and your baby.  Strive to achieve and maintain a healthy weight and to do exercise that you enjoy.

3^rd– Ingest the Best.  Your food preferences may change a bit once you become pregnant, but eating well is important.  Being conscious of healthy food choices and eating a well-balanced diet will ensure that you and your baby receive the nutrients that you need to thrive during pregnancy.

Make sure that you are eating foods high in folic acid, or consider taking a supplement that contains folic acid.  Folic Acid can be found in green leafy vegetables and it helps prevent neural tube defects.  The neural tube develops before most women ever realize that they are pregnant.

4^th– Assess Your External Environment.  Before you become pregnant, it is essential that you stop smoking, drinking and using drugs.  Even your over-the-counter medications should be assessed as these may affect your ability to become pregnant and may be detrimental to your developing baby.

Assessing your external environment also includes taking a look at your emotional state.  Your ability to recognize and cope with stress is another significant factor that affects your health and the health of your baby.  Building a support system and addressing the things that concern you, like you finances, will make the transition into pregnancy and beyond much easier and beneficial for your growing family.