Great Expectations

If having a baby is part of your plans for the coming year, read on. You can improve your chances of conception with some simple diet and lifestyle changes.

Starting a family is one of the biggest decisions you’ll ever make, but planning for a baby means more than just checking your finances and decorating the nursery. It also pays to be fit and healthy before getting pregnant.  “You should be fit and in control of your weight, and you should have control over other medical conditions, such as diabetes or asthma,” advises Dr Chris Hughes, spokesperson for the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.

If you want to increase your chance of falling pregnant and having a healthy baby, experts agree you should limit your alcohol intake several months before trying to conceive. And, of course if you’re a smoker, now’s the time to quit.
 

Healthy Diet Changes For Pregnancy

There’s no such diet as a fertility diet, says Dr Clark, but a good, well-balanced menu that provides all the essential nutrients is important. Folate supplements should ideally be taken three months before conceiving, and continued during the first trimester to reduce the risk of spina bifida. “By three months the spine has been formed, so there’s no reason to continue with folate after that,” says Dr Hughes.

Iron and calcium are also important during pregnancy. As women often don’t get enough of these two vital nutrients, anyone planning to conceive should make an extra effort to meet the recommended daily intakes.

Once pregnant, a woman’s iron needs almost double due to increased blood volume, the needs of the developing foetus and blood losses during delivery. Iron deficiency anaemia while pregnant can cause premature deliveries, and low birth weight in babies. An iron supplement may be needed by women with low iron stores before pregnancy due to heavy periods or an insufficient intake of the mineral.

Multivitamins, especially those designed for pregnancy, may also be beneficial. However, it’s important to know that high levels of vitamin A can be dangerous when you’re expecting. Always talk with your doctor before starting supplements.
 

Be fit before you get pregnant

Aim to reach a healthy weight before you get pregnant. Women who are very overweight or underweight are more likely to have problems conceiving, as well as during pregnancy. Being fit and healthy will improve the chances of everything going smoothly.