There’s More To Planning To Have A Baby Than Timing

If you’re thinking about trying for a baby, read our guest post from Shine on how to prepare for pregnancy.

Pregnacare is proud to support Shine, the charity dedicated to providing specialist information, advice and support for spina bifida, anencephaly, hydrocephalus, and related conditions across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

When to start preparing to have a baby

Deciding to have a baby is a big milestone, but there's more involved in getting ready for pregnancy than many people realise. Plans for when you want to start trying to conceive should include time to prepare as you may become pregnant much sooner than you expect. Around 1 in 3 people will become pregnant in the first month of trying, and about 3 in 4 will conceive within the first 6 months. There are several steps involved in preparation that take time to work and it’s important to factor this into your plans. Taking the time to prepare in advance will help to support your health and protect your future baby’s development during pregnancy and beyond.

Preparing for Pregnancy

There are a number of lifestyle changes you can make that can reduce the chance of pregnancy complications and help ensure the best possible start for the baby. Some important things to consider when preparing for pregnancy include:

- Taking folic acid: Folic acid is one of the most crucial nutrients for pregnancy preparation. Folic acid supplements increase maternal folate status. Low folate is a risk factor for neural tube defects in the developing foetus. Health guidelines recommend taking a daily supplement of 400 micrograms (µg) of folic acid, ideally at least three months before conception. Some are advised to take a higher 5 milligram dose of folic acid, e.g. if you are overweight, have health conditions such as diabetes, or have a personal or family history of neural tube defects (including anencephaly and spina bifida). 400µg folic acid supplements are widely available but 5 milligram folic acid tablets are only available on prescription from the GP.

- Taking vitamin B12: Vitamin B12 is involved in the process of cell division and in supporting the normal function of the nervous system, both of which are critical during early pregnancy. Vitamin B12 works closely with folate and research show that when taken together can also lower the chances of neural tube defects*. The research suggests taking a daily supplement of at least 2.5µg of B12 (the EU NRV) with your main meal, in addition to the recommended daily 400µg supplement of folic acid, should be considered if you are planning to conceive.

*(Addition of Vitamin B12 to folic acid supplements to optimise the prevention of Spina Bifida and other Neural Tube Defects, Professor John M. Scott, Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College, Dublin 2, Ireland).

- Quitting smoking: smoking is harmful to developing babies and can lead to complications such as low birth weight and premature or stillbirth. It also impacts the health of the mother and affects fertility. Quitting smoking before pregnancy is better for you but it's vital for protecting your future baby. You can access help from a range of NHS quit smoking services available throughout the UK.

- Getting a health check-up: Before you start trying for a baby, it’s worth visiting the GP with your partner for a preconception check-up. Discussing your specific medical history and personal situation will help your doctor to give personalised advice for a healthy pregnancy journey.

- Maintaining a healthy weight: Being under or overweight can affect fertility and pregnancy outcomes. Those who are overweight may have a higher risk of complications such as miscarriage, pre-eclampsia, and gestational diabetes, and they're more likely to need a caesarean birth. Being overweight also increases the chance of pregnancy being affected by a neural tube defect. Being underweight can affect fertility, making it harder to conceive, and it can increase the risk of preterm birth. Reaching a healthy weight before pregnancy can help improve the chance of you conceiving and your baby developing healthily.

- Cutting down on alcohol and caffeine: Most people know to cut out alcohol during pregnancy, but cutting down while trying to conceive is also recommended. There's no known safe limit for drinking during pregnancy, so the safest approach is to stop drinking when you start trying to get pregnant. Having too much caffeine during pregnancy can cause serious complications. The Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists recommends restricting caffeine intake as much as possible during pregnancy, keeping it under 200 milligrams per day (roughly two cups of instant coffee). If you limit your caffeine intake while you are trying to conceive, you can be sure you're within safe caffeine limits if you do become pregnant.

- Managing existing health conditions: If you have any long-term health conditions you should ensure they are well controlled before pregnancy. Managing these conditions in advance reduces the likelihood of pregnancy complications.

- Improving nutrition: A well-balanced diet, rich in nutrients, is essential for preparing your body for pregnancy and supporting your body and the baby as you grow together. Ensuring you have enough vitamins and minerals in your diet supports your fertility and reproductive health and the baby's development. Folate, iron, calcium, and vitamins D and B12 are particularly important micronutrients for pregnancy. Iron supports oxygen transportation in the body, calcium is needed to maintain bones and teeth, zinc supports normal fertility and productions, vitamin D supports normal immune system function and vitamin B12 supports normal energy release. While lean proteins, whole grains, and healthy fats are essential macro nutrients. The NHS Eatwell Guide is a good starting point for eating a more balanced and nutritious diet.

- Staying active with exercise: Regular physical activity before and during pregnancy is beneficial for your physical and mental health. Exercise helps you maintain a healthy weight and strengthens your body for the physical demands of pregnancy and labour. Gradually incorporating more exercise and physical activity into your day can help prepare your body for pregnancy and beyond.

- Supporting your mental health and wellbeing: Pregnancy and parenthood bring emotional challenges, and fertility journeys are not always straightforward. Preparing for pregnancy also means ensuring you're mentally ready for the path to and through parenthood. Talking through your worries with your partner and getting support from a counsellor can help you feel more confident and ready.

Tommy’s have a pregnancy planning tool that can help you get started with planning a pregnancy and direct you to any further information or support you might need.

Getting ready for pregnancy involves more than deciding when you want to have a baby, you also need to prepare. Many of the preparation steps need time to be fully effective at the point of conception, which might occur as soon as you start trying. By taking time to prepare well in advance, you can improve your fertility, reduce the risk of complications, and increase your chances of having a healthy pregnancy, birth, and baby. If you're thinking about having a baby, start preparing today.

Pregnacare is a proud supporting partner of Shine. Shine is a leading UK charity providing specialist advice and support from before birth and throughout the life of anyone living with spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus, as well as to parents, families, carers and professional care staff. Shine enables people to get the best out of life.

The content of this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health professional regarding any medical condition. While every care is taken to ensure the accuracy of the information presented in the blog and to describe best generally accepted current practices we cannot accept any liability for errors or omissions or for any consequences from application of the information given