So you are planning your first baby – it is important to see that you are in total control right from day one – the conception stage. This way you will face less problems and be able to adjust better to the new addition when it happens.

There are a few basic things you have to be aware of even when you start planning.

• Begin with pre-pregnancy check ups. These will tell you if your insides are healthy and will be able to house the baby for 9 months.


• Folic acid is of extreme importance to sustain a healthy pregnancy. With your doctor’s guidance, start taking adequate amounts (0.4mg is the recommended dose).


• Have you got your vaccinations done? Especially for German Measles which when contracted can lead to miscarriage or a deformed pregnancy.


• Ask your gynae about taking sufficient prenatal vitamins. Remember, your baby needs those vitamins too!


• Are you having adequate protein intake? This is very important for the baby’s brain to develop and also to help you have a healthy full term.


• Eat plenty of nutritious food and exercise with caution and proper guidance. Keep your weight under control.


• Do not avoid fat or cholesterol in your diet. Fat is important for elastic skin and for the development of baby’s brain. Include just enough fat (2 tblsps a day) to ensure this.


• Strengthen your pelvic muscles by doing Kegel’s exercises regularly. Ask your doctor or trainer for advice on this.


• Fill your house with indoor plants – it is the best way to combat the chemicals and pollution in the air.


• If you have to travel, take good care when you are pregnant and keep all your medicines handy along with the prescriptions.


• Have you discussed all family medical problems with your doctor? If you haven’t, do it before you actually conceive so that you can take all precautions needed for anything that could be hereditary.


• Lastly, always think positive. Avoid all negative thought and action as it can definitely harm your unborn baby. Try to be stress-free and begin to bond with your baby from day one.

And the don’ts…

• No drinking – not even the small social sips if you want to have a healthy baby. Birth defects, mental retardation, congenital defects, facial deformity and system malfunctions are some of the ill effects of drinking.


• Of course, no smoking – either active or passive. Ignore this warning and the results can be disastrous like spontaneous abortion, premature births, low weight babies with attendant problems, and fetal deaths.


• Drugs are totally taboo. Especially the illegal variety. Again it is the fetus that gets affected and suffers various dysfunctions and malformations if there is any drug intake.


• Avoid popping over the counter pills like aspirin for common ailments as they can cause unbelievable damage to the unborn child. You have to be careful especially during the first 8 weeks of pregnancy as this is when all the important organs are formed. Always consult the doctor before taking any medicine.


• Caffeine is another big no-no. Too many cups of coffee or tea consumed during pregnancy is said to cause increased risk of diabetes in the child.


• If you have pets at home see that they are free of ticks and fleas. Tick bites can expose you to Lyme’s disease which can kill the fetus.


• Stop eating fish when you are pregnant. The methylmercury content in fish is supposed to affect the baby’s brain.


• Avoid all temptation to eat junk food. They are empty calories that are far from the nutrition your baby needs.

This is but a small list of the more important Don’ts that you have to be careful about if you are pregnant. We will continue to list more of ... ?id=9746