Preparing for a Healthy Pregnancy

Overview

Even before you get pregnant, you can help make your pregnancy as healthy as possible. Take these steps:

• See a doctor or certified nurse-midwife for an exam. Talk about the medicines, vitamins, and herbs you take. Discuss any health problems or concerns you have.
• Don't take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) unless your doctor says it's okay. Examples of these are ibuprofen and aspirin. They can raise your risk of miscarriage.
• Take a daily multivitamin or prenatal vitamin. Make sure it has folic acid. This will lower the chance of having a baby with a birth defect.
• Keep track of your menstrual cycle. This is a good idea for a few reasons. It helps you know the best time to try to get pregnant. And it can help your doctor or midwife figure out when your baby is due and how it is growing.
• Make healthy choices. Eat well. Avoid caffeine. Or cut back and only have 1 cup of coffee or tea a day. Avoid alcohol, cigarettes, marijuana, and illegal drugs. Take only the medicines your doctor or midwife says are okay.
• Get plenty of exercise. A strong body will make pregnancy and birth easier. It will also help you recover after the birth. And exercise can help improve your mood.