A Handy Guide toPregnancy Planning

Pregnancy Planning

Pregnancy planning is not always easy. One needs to start by talking to their doctor to ensure good preconception health & a good preconception period (time of 3 to 6 months before pregnancy). During this time, one must choose healthy habits and make lifestyle changes that can help reduce pregnancy complications and ensure quick recovery from birth. Read on to know more if you are planning for pregnancy, so that you don't skip anything!

Pregnancy planning is not always easy. One needs to start by talking to their doctor to ensure good preconception health & a good preconception period (time of 3 to 6 months before pregnancy). During this time, one must choose healthy habits and make lifestyle changes that can help reduce pregnancy complications and ensure quick recovery from birth. Read on to know more if you are planning for pregnancy, so that you don't skip anything!

1. Start Taking a Folic Supplement

It is highly recommended that you take folic acid supplements daily before you get pregnant and keep taking them until you are 12 weeks pregnant. This is because folic acid helps with better foetus development and reduces the risk of a neural tube defect (it is a congenital defect in the covering of the central nervous system). If you have any previous history of neural tube defects, the doctor may recommend a higher dose of the folic acid supplement. Besides folic acid, iodine is also essential for a foetus's brain development. So, the doctor might advise to take iodine supplements too.