Physical Fitness
It is a very good idea to pay a visit your family doctor for a check-up about six months before you plan to conceive. Your
doctor will give you suitable advice based on your personal circumstances about the pregnancy and any problems that they are
aware of that you may encounter. It is a good idea to take your partner to this visit so that they fully understand the
importance of the measures you have been advised to take and also to see if there are measures that they can take that can
improve your chances of becoming pregnant. This may help your partner to feel included right from the beginning and will help
to give you the support you need to make whatever changes you both need to make to the lifestyle you presently have.
Regular Exercise
It is really important to be as fit and health as you can possibly be before getting pregnant, so this is a great time
to exercise if you are not already, the recommendation is now 20-30 minutes a day which seems a lot but it isn't once you
get into the habit of doing it. Taking regular exercise does not mean working out at the gym several times each week, it means
simply incorporating some exercise into your daily routine. Simple changes like walking or cycling to the shops or to work
rather than taking the bus or driving, taking the stairs instead of using the lift. There are many forms of exercise that
you and your partner can do together such as walking, swimming, playing tennis, practicing to get pregnant! Having help to
get fit dramatically improves your chances of not giving up and you will have the added incentive of doing it for a great
reason.
Weight
The next issue is the never-ending bain of most women’s lives their weight, however being severely overweight or
underweight can dramatically effect your chances of getting pregnant. The best way to lose weight and to keep it
off is through a healthy eating plan not (a diet) and regular exercise, we know it's boring we know its hard to accept that
their isn't a miracle pill or drink that we can take, but it is just a plain fact, losing weight slowly at around 1lb a week
is the best way to ensure that it stays off. Most women who go on diets fail to keep the weight off long term for several
reasons, one, they have lost weight far too quickly and when they return to their normal diet they have also lost muscle and
therefore have less muscle to burn off the calories, or they go on a diet and exercise they lose weight then return to their
old eating and exercise habits when they reach their target. Thirdly they have followed an eating plan and failed to take
any more exercise, when they stop the plan the weight returns. During your pre-pregnancy period, it is a good idea to get
your weight to a reasonable level. If you are overweight it is a good idea to try to lose the extra before you conceive. If
you are underweight and your periods have been effected it is best to speak with a medical profesional as you may be suffering
from an eating disorder and you may need support to get your weight to a level where your periods return and you have a chance
of getting pregnant.
Dieting during pregnancy is not advisable because cutting back your calories may have a harmful effect on your baby's growth
and development, equally it is not a time to over eat as you will have a much harder time during and after the pregnancy dealing
with the extra weight, the key as always is a balance of healthy eating and gentle exercise, if you need more information your
family doctor will be able to advise you exactly what is right for you
