If you’re beginning to plan for a baby, this is an exciting time — one where you likely have a million questions. You’ll want to start thinking about how you can best prepare your body for a healthy pregnancy. This includes eating healthy, understanding your menstrual cycles and knowing when to ask for help, among other things.
Throughout this blog Dr. Kristen Plastino, an OB/GYN with University Health, will walk you through some of the most important ways you can prepare for a healthy pregnancy.
Understanding Your Fertility Window
A crucial factor when planning for pregnancy is knowing when you are fertile.
Women aren’t fertile 24/7 like men are. You are the most fertile (and most likely to get pregnant) in the days leading up to and during ovulation, which is one phase of the menstrual cycle.
The female reproductive system goes through four phases in a menstrual cycle:
- Menstrual (also called your period)
- Follicular
- Ovulation
- Luteal
The day you start your period is the beginning of the cycle. Your cycle may last anywhere between 21-35 days – everyone is different.
Recognizing Ovulation Symptoms
“Ovulation generally occurs about two weeks before your period,” said Dr. Plastino. During ovulation, the ovaries release an egg into the fallopian tube. If it meets a sperm, it will get fertilized and begin forming an embryo.
Ovulation symptoms may include:
- Increased production of clear, thin vaginal discharge (also called cervical mucus)
- Increased basal body temperature (it increases by 0.5 degrees when you are ovulating)
- Tender breasts
- Mood changes
- Bloating
- Cramping
Once the egg is released, it only has about 24 hours to be fertilized. However, it’s important to remember that sperm can live inside a woman’s body for up to five days, so it may fertilize an egg that hadn’t been released yet at the time of sexual intercourse.
Tracking Your Cycle
You may want to use a calendar to track your menstrual cycle and better pinpoint your fertility window.
On the first day of your period, make a mark in your calendar and keep marking until the day the bleeding stops. On the first day of your next period, do the same. You can determine the length of your cycle by counting the days between the start of your first day of bleeding from your previous cycle to the first day of your most recent cycle.
Keeping track of your period can help you understand:
- The average length of your cycles
- When you are most likely ovulating
- When you can expect your next period
“Irregular cycles may indicate a hormone imbalance or other conditions for which you may need to see a doctor for,” said Dr. Plastino.
Preparing Your Body for Pregnancy
Ensuring your body is the healthiest it can be is key to conceiving and having a healthy pregnancy. Nutrition, stress levels, weight and sleep all play a role in your and your baby’s overall health.
Nutrition
Eating a healthy diet is always important, but even more so when you’re trying to conceive and when you’re pregnant. Filling your plate with lean protein, dark, leafy greens and whole grains will set you up for success in getting all of the necessary vitamins and nutrients to support your growing baby.
Check out our blog for more details about how nutrition plays a role in fertility.
Reduce Stress
Stress has well-documented effects on the body. Chronic stress can wreak havoc on your physical and mental well-being. In fact, it can contribute to irregular or missed periods and reduce women’s sex drive.
Plus, a mother’s stress transfers to their unborn baby. Research shows that stress increases the risk for preterm birth and behavioral issues in childhood. Find ways to reduce stress throughout the day like practicing mindful breathing exercises or carving out time for a hobby or craft.
Maintain a Healthy Weight
Research suggests a link between obesity and decreased fertility in both men and women. Maintaining a healthy weight before and during pregnancy will reduce your risk for complications during birth. Additionally, babies born to obese mothers are more likely to experience childhood obesity, which is endemic in San Antonio.
Get Plenty of Sleep
Studies suggest there may be a link between sleep disturbances and reduced fertility, though this is still under investigation. However, sleep depravity has been linked to increased stress and risk of cardiovascular events, both of which can impact pregnancy.
Common Pregnancy Misconceptions
When you’re trying to get pregnant, there are lots of myths and misconceptions floating around the internet. What have you read about air travel or having sex while pregnant? Learn what’s true and what’s not from Dr. Patrick Ramsey, a University Health OB/GYN, in our blog.
When to Seek Help
Infertility
If you’ve been trying to conceive for a while and have not been able to get pregnant, it might be time to seek extra help from a health care provider. You should consult a doctor if you’re younger than 35 and trying to conceive for a year or older than 35 and trying for six months, according to the American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists.
Don’t feel alone, though – about 1 in 5 couples struggle to conceive after a year of trying. There are many misconceptions and misunderstandings surrounding infertility. Learn how to separate fact from fiction in our blog.
Maternal-Fetal Medicine
If you’re concerned about having risk factors for a high-risk or complicated pregnancy, your doctor will refer you to a maternal-fetal medicine specialist.
These doctors are subspecialists who can lend an extra hand if you have pre-existing conditions, like obesity or diabetes, that may cause complications during pregnancy. They can identify issues in your pregnancy early on and recommend a plan to keep you and your baby safe and healthy.
Pregnancy and Childbirth at University Health
No matter where you are on your pregnancy journey, University Health is here to walk with you every baby step of the way. From prenatal counseling and childbirth classes to lactation support and more, we offer guidance and resources to answer all of your questions. Learn more on our website.
Women’s & Children’s Hospital
Take a virtual tour of the University Health Women’s & Children Hospital and see the high-quality care that we offer for patients at every stage of pregnancy.
As the first hospital in South Texas dedicated to taking care of women, children and babies, our team of specialists include maternal-fetal medicine doctors, who have extensive specialized training in caring for women with complicated pregnancies.
Check Your Health
Planning for pregnancy? Schedule an appointment with one of our expert OB/GYNs today.
