From Me to Pregnancy…There’s a checklist for that

The Internet can be a slippery slope, especially when I am researching the following terms with my close friend, Google:

“Pregnancy” has 313,000,000 results.

“Pregnant” has 358,000,000 results.

“Preparing for Pregnancy” has 62,300,000 results.

Honestly, I need a little guidance as a starting point for my journey and decide to use WebMD’s Prepregnancy Checklist…

• Make a doctor’s appointment – CHECK!

• Visit the dentist – “Good oral health is strongly linked to a healthy pregnancy. Gum disease is linked to early birth and low birth weight.” Who knew…I must schedule a visit to the dentist!

• Cut back on caffeinated drinks – Oy, this is definitely my Achilles heel! I found in my research there was actually a study published this year from the NIH and the Ohio State University stating “the data proves that COUPLES who drank more than two caffeinated drinks a day during the weeks prior to conception had a greater risk that the woman would miscarry.” My new mantra “Decaf coffee, please.”

• Quit drinking & smoking – I’m not a smoker (that was easy!) According to the CDC “The best advice is to stop drinking alcohol when you start trying to get pregnant.” – OK, my happy hour order will soon be a seltzer instead of a spritzer.

• Healthy eating – As I prepare my body for this pregnancy adventure, it is important to eat as healthy as possible including generous amounts of fruits & veggies in my diet. CHECK!

• Lose extra weight – According to WebMD – “Studies link being overweight to a list of pregnancy complications, including miscarriage, stillbirth, and birth defects such as spina bifida. Too many pounds also makes it harder for you to conceive in the first place. You’re also more likely to develop problems during your pregnancy, including high blood pressure (preeclampsia) and gestational diabetes.” Duly noted…

• Exercise – All roads lead to 30 minutes of activity everyday! Looks like preconception exercise is fantastic for my health and the well-being of my future baby and for me. Smiles.

• Current Medication and Supplements – “It’s important to let your doctor know about all the drugs you’re taking — prescription, over-the-counter, even vitamins and herbs.” It’s on my list – CHECK!

• Seafood – Did you know some fish are an excellent source of nutrition during pregnancy for both you and your baby? That being said “…it’s smart to steer clear of fish that are high in mercury while you’re pregnant. But it can take up to a year for your body to clear the element from your blood. It’s wise to pass on the kinds that have a lot of mercury like swordfish, tilefish, king mackerel, and shark.”

• Vaccinations – As I mentioned in a previous post “According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), the best time to receive vaccinations is before you become pregnant…This is IMPORTANT: I must thoroughly research any medication or vaccination recommended to me during my pregnancy. If I have any concerns or questions on the possible side effects of any medication or vaccination, I will need to discuss this with my health care team. I can refer to the March of Dimes and the CDC for more information on vaccinations before, during and after pregnancy.” I have this on my list of topics to discuss during my preconception doctor’s visit!

Thanks for listening (reading)…I’m off to make my list and I will be sure to check it twice.

xox ~ Lemon