Preparing for your pregnancy the healthy way

Before getting pregnant, you must prepare your body to be a perfect environment in which to grow your baby. Eating healthy food, getting plenty of rest and ensuring you're happy and rested are your basic rules to follow. Learn more here.

• When you want to become pregnant, you must start to consider your child's health as much as your own. Proper nourishment for your future baby means that you need proper nourishment now.
• A healthy diet includes healthy proteins, fruits and vegetables, whole grains and healthy fats. Eating a whole food diet can prepare your body for carrying a child.
• You must also consider the amount of folic acid that you are taking in. Folic acid before pregnancy will help to prevent birth defects, so the sooner you can start taking it, the better.
• Folic acid-containing foods are citrus fruits, leafy vegetables, beans and whole grains. Foods that encourage fertility are eggs, almonds, salmon and asparagus.

• Your body will function more easily, and you'll have a better chance of becoming pregnant if you provide adequate rest for your body. Be sure to get six to eight hours of sleep every night.
• Another great way to incorporate good rest into your day is to exercise; yoga is a relaxing way to build exercise into your daily routine. Stretching and lengthening your muscles can help your body prepare for pregnancy.
• By decompressing and getting rid of stress in your daily life, your body will be able to rest more easily.
• Your cortisol levels are lowered when you are stressed, and higher cortisol levels will encourage pregnancy.
• In order to manage stress, try meditating, getting a massage, writing in a journal, reading or taking a nap.
• Clear your schedule so that you aren't too busy to rest and relax. When you have too many activities going on, and you are running around busy all of the time, you may start to feel run down and anxious.
• You are less likely to get pregnant if your body is in constant motion, leaving you constantly feeling busy and stressed.

• Relying on your loved ones to take care of some things is okay. You have to let go of things in order to feel like you are living a balanced life.
• Your partner should help share burdens of everyday life. If your family is nearby, allow them to cook for you occasionally, or to help you around the house.
• Having a support system in place before you're pregnant will ensure that you are ready when you are pregnant, and after the baby is born as well. Every new mom needs support sometimes.

When you are preparing your body for pregnancy, you simply need to do what is best for your own health. Bringing a baby into the world is a huge job, so you have to be prepared.