To ask what you would do to prepare for a pregnancy?

[Essie274]

If you had 12 months to get yourself in tip-top shape for pregnancy before TTC, what would you do?

Not in a "go on a lovely adults-only holiday and truly relax" type of thing, because while that sounds brilliant, I already have two children (1&3yo) - just neither of them were particularly planned (first v much unplanned, second was conceived days after saying "yeah TTC soon would be a good idea") and tbh I was in pretty bad shape physically (second) and mentally (first) and would really like to do what I can for a smooth(er) experience this time. Obviously I know I can't plan for everything; just assume it will be.

I'm thinking exercises particularly useful for pregnancy/birth? Nutrients? Eating well (never been good at this)? Finding some routines for looking after myself better? Idk really. I've just pretty much neglected myself since having my first baby and don't want to plough into a third pregnancy without doing anything to improve the situation.

Any ideas?

I've found doing reformer Pilates has been amazing for preparing for pregnancy.

My last pre pregnancy I had back and hip pain, I ended up using a walking stick at the end.

I did a year of Pilates prior to conceiving my current pregnancy, and even though I am 4 years older- I'm so much stronger and able to manage physically.

If you're not already a healthy weight then I'd work on that as well- you obviously can't lose weight while pregnant so now's the time.

I think any exercise would help, even just a 30 min fast walk or swim, and anything strength based is good like exercises with light dumbbells. Being a healthy weight will only benefit your pregnancy so I'd look at focusing your diet around vegetables, fruit, nuts, proteins etc and reduce any processed foods. I reduced alcohol whilst TTC

In addition to physical wellness I'd look at my finances, try and get a decent buffer of savings in the bank, pay off any debt, pay down the mortags a bit etc, whatever I could do to increase my families financial stability to help absorb the impact of a new baby.

Agree with PPs about healthy eating and exercise.

I would also add, if your children aren't great at playing alone, start trying to encourage that now. Just start with 2-3 minutes at a time and build it up. It will be really helpful while pregnant, and with a newborn, to be able to say "ok mummy is busy/resting, please go and play by yourself for X minutes."

I started running and got really fit, eating more healthily and was really enjoying the effect it had one and then learned a year later running isnt great for fertility 🤦🏻‍♀️

I went to the doctor about 3 months in advance of TTC to change my not pregnancy safe medication for safer alternatives. I also ensured I was getting advice from all my consultants on medication - I needed to take high dose folic acid from starting TTC up to birth as some of my medication affects folic acid.

I also made a bit more effort re: eating well and exercising. DH did the same.

I also took TTC vitamins as my iron was found to be a little low.

I planned to ttc one May, so from the New Year I became vegetarian, gave up alcohol, gave up sugar and trained for a half marathon. I also came off the pill.

Great suggestions, thank you.

Reformer pilates is something I've always wanted to try so this feels like a good excuse.

My first pregnancy was when I was at my fittest physically and was an absolute breeze compared to my second pregnancy (which came off the back of not losing any pregnancy weight, binging on homemade cakes during lockdowns and not doing so much exercise as a single workout) which was horrendous physically - couldn't do that to myself or my family again.

Folic acid

Come off the pill well in advance

CoQ10 to improve egg quality.

B12, iron, vit D and folic acid supplements

As above but also stop drinking alcohol

I'm still breastfeeding my youngest so still taking my prenatals from last time and probably just won't stop