Planning for Pregnancy

[Anonymous]

Anyone take a class in preparation for pregnancy. I asked my ob/gyn about preparing for pregnancy but she didn't have any advice other than take prenatal vits?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anyone take a class in preparation for pregnancy. I asked my ob/gyn about preparing for pregnancy but she didn't have any advice other than take prenatal vits?

Yeah, take vitamins and lead a healthy lifestyle. You don't need a class.

[Anonymous]

What about genetic testing?

[Anonymous]

No class needed. (Delivery and child care classes are offered by many hospitals, but those are targeted at women and their partners who are expecting a child within a few months.)

This page should have everything you need:

https://www.babycenter.com/0_17-things-you-should-do-before-you-try-to-get-pregnant_7171.bc

1. Schedule a preconception visit
2. Consider genetic carrier screening
3. Take folic acid (and watch out for vitamin A)
4. Give up binge drinking, smoking, and drugs – and get help if you need it
5. Stock your fridge with healthy foods
6. Check your caffeine intake
7. Aim for a healthy weight
8. Pay attention to the fish you eat
9. Create and follow an exercise program
10. See your dentist
11. Consider money matters
12. Consider your mental health
13. Avoid infections
14. Reduce environmental risks
15. Think your decision through
16. Figure out when you ovulate
17. Toss your birth control

[Anonymous]

Just take folic acid. That's it.

[Anonymous]

1) start prenatals before trying to get pregnant
2) discuss any medication you may be on with your dr. May need to change them or stop them.
3) watch your booze intake
4) stop birth control
5) have sex, esp. before ovulation. Assuming you're planning to get pregnant the traditional way (vs. IVF).

Good luck!!

[Anonymous]

There are classes about pregnancy planning. My spouse and I did this one and it was helpful because my primary care physician didn't tell me anything about prenatals, genetic screening, and updating vaccinations:

https://nestedbaby.com/event/preconception-planning-1-24-19-630-pm-830-pm/

[Anonymous]

Woah, so sex is how you get pregnant?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Woah, so sex is how you get pregnant?

I know, right? So glad I took that class. I never would have known otherwise!

[Anonymous]

No class is necessary. PPs have given you good advice. To add (this info is from The Impatient Woman's Guide to Getting Pregnant):

Nine months - 1 year in advance
- Learn your workplace's maternity leave policy, and plan to get pregnant around it if necessary.
- Find out what coverage your health insurance provides for prenatal, childbirth/postpartum, and well-baby care). Make changes accordingly.
- Discontinue injectable birth control (e.g. Depo-Provera).
- Make lifestyle changes to achieve a healthy BMI (18.5 to 24.9 is normal). If you're overweight, start a diet and begin exercising to reach a healthy weight before conceiving. If you're underweight with short and/or irregular cycles, gain weight to help your cycles normalize (goal BMI 20).

Six months in advance
- Discontinue oral contraceptives (if your natural cycles are irregular, or if you've been on the pill for 2+ years).
- Schedule an appointment for a preconception visit with your provider. Important things to do at this visit: get tested for infections, check your rubella immunity status, ask about how any existing health conditions or medication regimens would impact getting/staying pregnant. Make changes as necessary (get MMR booster, wean medications).
- Start charting to learn about your cycles. You can do this on paper or with an app like Clue or Fertility Friend. Taking Charge of Your Fertility (aka "The Bible" or TCOYF) is worth a read when building fertility awareness. CVS makes a reliable basal body thermometer if you want to start temping.
- If you smoke, start a program to quit.
- If you use recreational drugs, stop using them (e.g. marijuana derivatives stay in the body for several months).

Three months in advance
- Discontinue oral contraceptives, if you haven't already.
- Start charting your cycles, if you haven't already.
- Start eating a healthier diet (you are what you ate 3 months ago, so it's not too early).
- Update your immunizations (especially DTaP, diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis).
- Talk your husband into making a semen analysis appointment.
- Remind your husband to protect his testicles from heat (avoid hot gadgets like laptops and tubs over 99 degrees).
- Encourage your husband to start a men's multivitamin to improve his overall health (and sperm quality, by proxy). Zinc and Vitamin C are most important.

Two months in advance
- Start taking prenatal vitamins and supplements.
- Reduce or eliminate alcohol use (applies to your husband, too).
- Start reducing caffeine intake.
- Stop taking prescription drugs that aren't safe if your trying to conceive and substitute safer alternatives, if available.
- If you engage in regular, strenuous exercise (especially running), taper down your miles and hours.

One month in advance
- Buy OPK sticks or a fertility monitor and test sticks.
- Buy several pregnancy tests. (Wirecutter has solid recommendations. Additionally, there are cheap combo OPK/pregnancy tests kits [Wondfo, Pregmate, Easy@Home] on Amazon if you want to test frequently.)
- See your dentist for a cleaning as well as any other necessary dental work, as you will NOT want to do this during the first trimester.

The cycle you start trying
- Eat as much healthy food as possible.
- Eliminate or reduce alcohol and caffeine.
- Consult your calendar to determine your most fertile days. The days of your cycle to focus on are 3 days preceding ovulation, ovulation day, and the day after ovulation. TCOYF can break this down for you, as well as tell you how to recognize these days.
- And yes, obviously have sex. Some recommend having sex every other day after your period ends to cover all the bases.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No class is necessary. PPs have given you good advice. To add (this info is from The Impatient Woman's Guide to Getting Pregnant):

Nine months - 1 year in advance
- Learn your workplace's maternity leave policy, and plan to get pregnant around it if necessary.
- Find out what coverage your health insurance provides for prenatal, childbirth/postpartum, and well-baby care). Make changes accordingly.
- Discontinue injectable birth control (e.g. Depo-Provera).
- Make lifestyle changes to achieve a healthy BMI (18.5 to 24.9 is normal). If you're overweight, start a diet and begin exercising to reach a healthy weight before conceiving. If you're underweight with short and/or irregular cycles, gain weight to help your cycles normalize (goal BMI 20).

Six months in advance
- Discontinue oral contraceptives (if your natural cycles are irregular, or if you've been on the pill for 2+ years).
- Schedule an appointment for a preconception visit with your provider. Important things to do at this visit: get tested for infections, check your rubella immunity status, ask about how any existing health conditions or medication regimens would impact getting/staying pregnant. Make changes as necessary (get MMR booster, wean medications).
- Start charting to learn about your cycles. You can do this on paper or with an app like Clue or Fertility Friend. Taking Charge of Your Fertility (aka "The Bible" or TCOYF) is worth a read when building fertility awareness. CVS makes a reliable basal body thermometer if you want to start temping.
- If you smoke, start a program to quit.
- If you use recreational drugs, stop using them (e.g. marijuana derivatives stay in the body for several months).

Three months in advance
- Discontinue oral contraceptives, if you haven't already.
- Start charting your cycles, if you haven't already.
- Start eating a healthier diet (you are what you ate 3 months ago, so it's not too early).
- Update your immunizations (especially DTaP, diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis).
- Talk your husband into making a semen analysis appointment.
- Remind your husband to protect his testicles from heat (avoid hot gadgets like laptops and tubs over 99 degrees).
- Encourage your husband to start a men's multivitamin to improve his overall health (and sperm quality, by proxy). Zinc and Vitamin C are most important.

Two months in advance
- Start taking prenatal vitamins and supplements.
- Reduce or eliminate alcohol use (applies to your husband, too).
- Start reducing caffeine intake.
- Stop taking prescription drugs that aren't safe if your trying to conceive and substitute safer alternatives, if available.
- If you engage in regular, strenuous exercise (especially running), taper down your miles and hours.

One month in advance
- Buy OPK sticks or a fertility monitor and test sticks.
- Buy several pregnancy tests. (Wirecutter has solid recommendations. Additionally, there are cheap combo OPK/pregnancy tests kits [Wondfo, Pregmate, Easy@Home] on Amazon if you want to test frequently.)
- See your dentist for a cleaning as well as any other necessary dental work, as you will NOT want to do this during the first trimester.

The cycle you start trying
- Eat as much healthy food as possible.
- Eliminate or reduce alcohol and caffeine.
- Consult your calendar to determine your most fertile days. The days of your cycle to focus on are 3 days preceding ovulation, ovulation day, and the day after ovulation. TCOYF can break this down for you, as well as tell you how to recognize these days.
- And yes, obviously have sex. Some recommend having sex every other day after your period ends to cover all the bases.

Good luck!

Out of curiosity, why is teeth cleaning mentioned? Are teeth more sensitive during pregnancy? -Lady TTC who hasn’t seen her dentist in a while

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No class is necessary. PPs have given you good advice. To add (this info is from The Impatient Woman's Guide to Getting Pregnant):

Nine months - 1 year in advance
- Learn your workplace's maternity leave policy, and plan to get pregnant around it if necessary.
- Find out what coverage your health insurance provides for prenatal, childbirth/postpartum, and well-baby care). Make changes accordingly.
- Discontinue injectable birth control (e.g. Depo-Provera).
- Make lifestyle changes to achieve a healthy BMI (18.5 to 24.9 is normal). If you're overweight, start a diet and begin exercising to reach a healthy weight before conceiving. If you're underweight with short and/or irregular cycles, gain weight to help your cycles normalize (goal BMI 20).

Six months in advance
- Discontinue oral contraceptives (if your natural cycles are irregular, or if you've been on the pill for 2+ years).
- Schedule an appointment for a preconception visit with your provider. Important things to do at this visit: get tested for infections, check your rubella immunity status, ask about how any existing health conditions or medication regimens would impact getting/staying pregnant. Make changes as necessary (get MMR booster, wean medications).
- Start charting to learn about your cycles. You can do this on paper or with an app like Clue or Fertility Friend. Taking Charge of Your Fertility (aka "The Bible" or TCOYF) is worth a read when building fertility awareness. CVS makes a reliable basal body thermometer if you want to start temping.
- If you smoke, start a program to quit.
- If you use recreational drugs, stop using them (e.g. marijuana derivatives stay in the body for several months).

Three months in advance
- Discontinue oral contraceptives, if you haven't already.
- Start charting your cycles, if you haven't already.
- Start eating a healthier diet (you are what you ate 3 months ago, so it's not too early).
- Update your immunizations (especially DTaP, diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis).
- Talk your husband into making a semen analysis appointment.
- Remind your husband to protect his testicles from heat (avoid hot gadgets like laptops and tubs over 99 degrees).
- Encourage your husband to start a men's multivitamin to improve his overall health (and sperm quality, by proxy). Zinc and Vitamin C are most important.

Two months in advance
- Start taking prenatal vitamins and supplements.
- Reduce or eliminate alcohol use (applies to your husband, too).
- Start reducing caffeine intake.
- Stop taking prescription drugs that aren't safe if your trying to conceive and substitute safer alternatives, if available.
- If you engage in regular, strenuous exercise (especially running), taper down your miles and hours.

One month in advance
- Buy OPK sticks or a fertility monitor and test sticks.
- Buy several pregnancy tests. (Wirecutter has solid recommendations. Additionally, there are cheap combo OPK/pregnancy tests kits [Wondfo, Pregmate, Easy@Home] on Amazon if you want to test frequently.)
- See your dentist for a cleaning as well as any other necessary dental work, as you will NOT want to do this during the first trimester.

The cycle you start trying
- Eat as much healthy food as possible.
- Eliminate or reduce alcohol and caffeine.
- Consult your calendar to determine your most fertile days. The days of your cycle to focus on are 3 days preceding ovulation, ovulation day, and the day after ovulation. TCOYF can break this down for you, as well as tell you how to recognize these days.
- And yes, obviously have sex. Some recommend having sex every other day after your period ends to cover all the bases.

Good luck!

Out of curiosity, why is teeth cleaning mentioned? Are teeth more sensitive during pregnancy? -Lady TTC who hasn’t seen her dentist in a while

A Google search will tell you more than these boards can. In short, pregnancy hormones can cause issues with your teeth and gums, so getting issues under control beforehand is a good idea. Also there is an association between gum disease and low birth weight, so it's also good for the baby to get de tal issues taken care of.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anyone take a class in preparation for pregnancy. I asked my ob/gyn about preparing for pregnancy but she didn't have any advice other than take prenatal vits?

I think she was just telling you to relax

I get it, it’s hard to accept you can’t really do anything except have sex. I’m reading “Rqdical Acceptance “ right now - suggested by a PP on a different thread. It’s helping.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just take folic acid. That's it.

I actually came here to post the same exact thing as the OP. Doctor only said to take "prenatal vitamins" but nothing in more detail. Can anyone recommend a specific brand/product or is it literally just the 400mcg of folic acid to take? I also haven't taken vitamins since I stopped Flintstones...are any brands better than others? I've heard that quality can be somewhat dubious.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No class is necessary. PPs have given you good advice. To add (this info is from The Impatient Woman's Guide to Getting Pregnant):

Nine months - 1 year in advance
- Learn your workplace's maternity leave policy, and plan to get pregnant around it if necessary.
- Find out what coverage your health insurance provides for prenatal, childbirth/postpartum, and well-baby care). Make changes accordingly.
- Discontinue injectable birth control (e.g. Depo-Provera).
- Make lifestyle changes to achieve a healthy BMI (18.5 to 24.9 is normal). If you're overweight, start a diet and begin exercising to reach a healthy weight before conceiving. If you're underweight with short and/or irregular cycles, gain weight to help your cycles normalize (goal BMI 20).

Six months in advance
- Discontinue oral contraceptives (if your natural cycles are irregular, or if you've been on the pill for 2+ years).
- Schedule an appointment for a preconception visit with your provider. Important things to do at this visit: get tested for infections, check your rubella immunity status, ask about how any existing health conditions or medication regimens would impact getting/staying pregnant. Make changes as necessary (get MMR booster, wean medications).
- Start charting to learn about your cycles. You can do this on paper or with an app like Clue or Fertility Friend. Taking Charge of Your Fertility (aka "The Bible" or TCOYF) is worth a read when building fertility awareness. CVS makes a reliable basal body thermometer if you want to start temping.
- If you smoke, start a program to quit.
- If you use recreational drugs, stop using them (e.g. marijuana derivatives stay in the body for several months).

Three months in advance
- Discontinue oral contraceptives, if you haven't already.
- Start charting your cycles, if you haven't already.
- Start eating a healthier diet (you are what you ate 3 months ago, so it's not too early).
- Update your immunizations (especially DTaP, diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis).
- Talk your husband into making a semen analysis appointment.
- Remind your husband to protect his testicles from heat (avoid hot gadgets like laptops and tubs over 99 degrees).
- Encourage your husband to start a men's multivitamin to improve his overall health (and sperm quality, by proxy). Zinc and Vitamin C are most important.

Two months in advance
- Start taking prenatal vitamins and supplements.
- Reduce or eliminate alcohol use (applies to your husband, too).
- Start reducing caffeine intake.
- Stop taking prescription drugs that aren't safe if your trying to conceive and substitute safer alternatives, if available.
- If you engage in regular, strenuous exercise (especially running), taper down your miles and hours.

One month in advance
- Buy OPK sticks or a fertility monitor and test sticks.
- Buy several pregnancy tests. (Wirecutter has solid recommendations. Additionally, there are cheap combo OPK/pregnancy tests kits [Wondfo, Pregmate, Easy@Home] on Amazon if you want to test frequently.)
- See your dentist for a cleaning as well as any other necessary dental work, as you will NOT want to do this during the first trimester.

The cycle you start trying
- Eat as much healthy food as possible.
- Eliminate or reduce alcohol and caffeine.
- Consult your calendar to determine your most fertile days. The days of your cycle to focus on are 3 days preceding ovulation, ovulation day, and the day after ovulation. TCOYF can break this down for you, as well as tell you how to recognize these days.
- And yes, obviously have sex. Some recommend having sex every other day after your period ends to cover all the bases.

Good luck!

LOL! We just had sex and everything worked out well.