Planning ahead with anything, especially with pregnancy, can help you get through the challenges that getting pregnant, being pregnant and giving birth has to offer. Some people don’t plan their pregnancy, and therefore are not prepared for the emotional, financial, and physical aspects of pregnancy. Recent studies show that many couples, as well as single women, plan their pregnancies. Many people feel it’s important to have a steady career or job, their own home and a savings built up before they get pregnant.
Other people feel it’s important to get themselves healthy, in shape and on a well balanced diet before they get pregnant. The truth is, the healthier you are, the more likely you will carry and deliver a healthy baby. Most women do not realize they are pregnant until after the first few weeks. These first few weeks are the most critical time for your baby’s development. If you plan ahead, and get yourself into routines that prove to be healthy, then you probably won’t need to worry about health issues with your developing fetus. Of course, due to things such as genetics, some health related issues can not be avoided.
Benefits of Planning Your Pregnancy
There are numerous benefits you can get from planning your pregnancy. First, it’s important to remember that by planning ahead, you can rest assure that you took the necessary steps to ensure your health was top notch at conception. Not having to worry about this specific time period can reduce stress on the expectant mother down the road. Other benefits to planning your pregnancy can include:
- Easier conception
- Having a healthier pregnancy
- Minimizing and/or avoiding pregnancy complications
- Minimizing and/or avoiding birth complications
- Recover faster after delivery
- Small savings
- Steady income and/or career
- No surprises when missed period occurs
- Can try sexual positions for gender selecting purposes
- Time intercourse
- Better understanding of your monthly cycle
- Time to further educate yourself about pregnancy
- Take vitamins and supplements to help your fertility levels
Drawbacks to Planning Your Pregnancy
Unfortunately there is always a downside to everything, including planning your pregnancy. When you’re planning to get pregnant, drawbacks can include:
- Never reach financial status goal
- Wait to long to get pregnant
- Infertility issues occur as you age
- Emotional state if you struggle to get pregnant when ready
- Pregnancy myths about waiting
How to Plan Your Pregnancy
There are numerous things you can and can’t do to plan your pregnancy. If you’re trying to wait a little longer before conception, then you can’t have sex around your ovulation days without protection of some sorts. Some of the things you can do are simple enough, and include:
- Getting off birth control at least a month before conception goal
- Fertility charting using the various methods
- Visit your doctor for overall health checkup and identifying potential risks
- Make doctor aware you are trying to get pregnant
- Get yourself health insurance if you don’t have any
- Talk to an expert on fertility supplements if choosing to take them
- Start an exercise routine that includes yoga and/or kegel exercises
- Make sure you are eating enough nutrients
- Get yourself on a healthy, well-balanced diet
- Purchase a couple different pregnancy tests so they’re available
- Have sex before, during and after ovulation period to increase your chances
- Read more about increasing your chances to conceive