During the first month of pregnancy, you are medically not pregnant. You need to notice the early signs of pregnancy.
Rather your body is just preparing to move into the next cycle of ovulation. However, if you are trying to conceive, you definitely need to keep some things in mind.
An efficient pregnancy checklist will ensure that you get all things right during the first month.
Here is a pregnancy checklist that will help you through your first month.
Schedule an Appointment with your Gynecologist
If you and your husband are thinking of starting a family, it would be a good idea to pay your gynecologist a visit.
She will check you thoroughly and also go through the medical history of your family to ensure that there are no chances for your child to inherit any genetic disorders.
She may also assist you through the whole conception process, making it easier for you to conceive.
Genetic Carrier Screening
Genetic disorders may run through families and if you or your partner has any such family history, taking up a genetic carrier screening would be a good idea.
The test ensures that you or your husband, are not the carriers of these diseases.
In case, the tests prove otherwise, the doctor would be able to advise you about the various choices that you need to make before undertaking the whole conception process.
Folic Acid Supplements
If you are trying to conceive, taking folic acid supplements is surely a wise decision.
It has been proved that women who take 400 micrograms of folic acid every day before conception and during the first trimester have lower chances of having a baby with neural tube defects.
Multivitamin Supplements
While trying to conceive, your body needs certain nutrients that will enhance the conception process. However, you need to make sure that the amount of Vitamin A in this supplement should not be more than 770 micrograms.
Higher dose of Vitamin A can cause birth defects in babies. In case, you really are not sure, go ahead and consult your doctor and ask her for a prescription.
Healthy Diet
If you are serious about going the family way, you need to cut down on all the unhealthy foods and drinks and pick up a healthy, balanced diet.
Eating foods that contain synthetic colors and preservatives is just not a good idea. Include lots of fresh fruits and vegetables in your daily diet.
Cut down on caffeinated drinks. In case you drink alcohol and smoke, you need to give up the habit immediately.
If you are a seafood lover, you are in for some good news. Doctors believe that women trying to conceive or after seeing symptoms of being pregnant should include fish in their daily diet.
However, you may want to steer clear of fish that is high in mercury levels like shark, mackerel and tile fish. Instead, go for salmon, sardines and herrings.
Workouts
You need to maintain a healthy body weight, in order to conceive easily. So, go ahead and follow your exercise regime diligently.
However, do not go for vigorous exercises. Instead concentrate on 30 minutes of moderate exercises like cycling, walking, jogging, weight training etc.
You should exercise in pregnancy for healthy baby and smooth delivery.
Ovulation Kit
Did you know that just like a kit that helps you ascertain pregnancy, there is a kit which helps you to find the peak time of your ovulation?
Known as the ovulation kit, this kit can come in handy to check the best time for you and your partner to try to make a baby.
You can get this ovulation kit easily at any drug store.
This checklist for the first month will ensure that you get into the family within no time.
Check out our article on Pregnancy Diet for this month: Pregnancy Diet – Month1
Check out our article on Pregnancy Yoga for this month: Pregnancy Yoga – Month1