Pregnancy or baby planning is not only about conceiving but rather a complete makeover for a woman. She has to shift to healthy eating habits and follow a disciplined diet. The new life growing in her requires complete nutrition to grow healthier. It is essential to let go of unhealthy life choices.
A healthy lifestyle has a major role to play during pregnancy whether it is to avoid pregnancy-related complications or to support fetus growth. Remember that a woman’s body is weak and prone to diseases during pregnancy. Therefore, she needs to sustain a healthy lifestyle and quit some unhealthy life choices.
In This Article
5 Ways to Let go of Unhealthy Life Choices When Trying to Conceive
We know that it is important to stay healthy and let go of bad habits to ensure a safe pregnancy and a healthy baby. Let us now take a look at some of the vital habits you need to stay away from at least three months before you start trying for pregnancy.
1. Don’t Smoke
Smoking is injurious to health, we all know. But women who smoke before planning a baby or are pregnant are likely to experience pregnancy delays. It may also cause infertility problems. Moreover, women who smoke during pregnancy are likely to have premature babies or underweight babies.
Sometimes, babies also die inside the womb due to sudden infant death syndrome. Therefore, quit smoking at the earliest before planning your pregnancy. If you quit smoking in advance, you have enough time to recover and improve your health for a healthy pregnancy.
2. Quit Drinking Alcohol
Women who drink heavily may experience pregnancy delays. So, if you drink heavily and eagerly planning for a baby, then first reduce the amount of alcohol you consume. It would be great if you quit alcohol completely. Drinking alcohol can be fatal for the fetus and may cause serious health issues to the women too.
Along with alcohol, you need to quit certain other drugs like Marijuana, Cannabis, and others that are injurious to health. If you are unable to quit smoking, then do have doctor consultations. They will guide you to quit smoking and also help in improving your health.
3. Curb Caffeine
Caffeine is also like a drug that increases your heart rate, suppresses hormones, and leads to hypertension. If your blood pressure is high during pregnancy, you may experience indigestion issues and trouble sleeping. You may also develop sensitivity to caffeine during pregnancy. So, please reduce the amount of caffeine to protect yourself from the ill effects.
If you continue to consume caffeine, you may experience nausea and vomiting problems. Therefore, try to curb caffeine from your diet when planning to have a baby.
4. Over-exercise – Know How Much is Safe
Exercise is good for the body and helps to maintain ideal body weight. And it’s good to be physically active during pregnancy, but there are certain limitations. A pregnant woman needs physical strength and stamina to support the new life growing in her body.
Moderate physical activity is great for women but not over-exercise. However, if you are trying to conceive, avoid lifting heavyweight.
Follow a beginner-level workout plan to improve your health condition. You should avoid over-exercise, especially those that need muscle movement and heavy lifting. Train your body properly to support pregnancy.
It would be great to do yoga and meditation to improve your health. Yoga also brings flexibility to muscles and helps you heal from various problems. Always perform exercise under a fitness trainer who knows the workout plans for pregnant women. They will guide you to work out properly and help you achieve your fitness goals.
5. Avoid Exposure to Toxins
If you plan to have a baby, you should avoid exposure to toxins. It can be medications or any other drug you consume. Make sure to quit all the toxins before trying to conceive. Start following a clean and healthy diet. Include vital supplements such as folic acid, zinc, and others to improve immunity.
Increase the intake of green leafy vegetables in your diet. It helps to improve your energy level and provides vital nutrients needed for the body.
So, here you go with the best tips that help you quit unhealthy habits when planning for a baby. In addition to these tips, you can follow a healthy lifestyle and change your diet plan. Before planning a baby, consult with a doctor to get proper guidance to have a safe pregnancy.
FAQ’s
1. Can we Eat Fish During Pregnancy or While Planning a Baby?
Yes, fish is a good source of omega-3-fatty acids. You can include it in your diet to fulfil your nutrient requirement. However, try to avoid high mercury fish as it can be toxic for women trying to conceive. Look for fish that are absolutely safe during pregnancy.
2. Is Meditation Helpful For Conceiving?
Meditation helps reduce the stress level and keep your mind relaxed. This helps to trigger ovarian hormone, which improves the chances of fertility. You can also perform yoga to improve your body condition.
3. Do I Need to Stop my Intake of Alcohol Completely For Pregnancy?
If you are trying to conceive and facing an infertility problem, alcohol can be a reason for infertility. Hence, it would be great to stop alcohol consumption to improve fertility chances.
