Dr Asha S Vijay Explains Things to Consider When You're Planning for a Baby

Planning for a baby is one of the precious gifts you can give to yourself and your partner. As you have decided to expand your family, there are a lot of factors to be considered to make the baby-making process hassle-free. It is necessary to make sure that you pursue physical activities and healthy eating habits before conceiving. Focus on preparing your body to adopt the ‘big’ change and know your priorities beforehand. Here’s the checklist:

• Consult your doctor and discuss everything about your health and your partner’s too. Your fertility specialist will advise you on ovulation and help you plan your pregnancy much better. Especially if you have had difficulties in past pregnancies, health complications, or are above 30+ years of age, which brings a lot of fertility problems.

• Before having a baby, it’s essential to check the family history to spot the risks of genetic disorders and other fertility issues. Earlier identification of chromosomal abnormalities will be helpful to reduce the potential risks related to it.

• Stocking up on essential pregnancy supplements such as vitamins and folic acid during the early phase of pregnancy can increase pregnancy chances. Such prenatal supplements prepare the body for conception implantation and ensure smoother pregnancy.

• Reducing caffeine and alcohol intake, stopping the smoking habit, and consuming nutritious foods can bring many positive changes to your body.

A healthy lifestyle plays a crucial role in ensuring that your fertility does not deteriorate with time. When you cross 30 years of age, you should be conscious of your daily habits and lifestyle. Here are a couple of helpful tips that should be considered before pregnancy planning.

• Exercise regularly

• Eat a nutritious diet

• Change sleeping patterns and reduce stress

• Avoid sugar and caffeine

• Quit smoking and drinking alcohol

Conceiving before you turn 35+ is much better. After 35, the fertility rate declines due to the poor quality of eggs, reducing the probability of conceiving. But it’s still possible to get pregnant with suitable medical interventions.

Your partner’s age matters equally as much as your age. Male fertility tends to decline with age, and a variety of infertility conditions are diagnosed in men, which affects the probability of his female partner conceiving.

Never hesitate to seek your doctor’s help if you and your partner are in their mid-30s. Fertility screening before pregnancy planning would help you overcome the potential risks and complications earlier.