Planning for Pregnancy

Planning Tips

If you're planning to become pregnant soon, here are steps you can take to make your pregnancy as healthy as possible.

• See a doctor or certified nurse midwife (CNM) for a prepregnancy exam.
  
  
• Discuss the safety of any medications you're now taking, whether you've had all necessary immunizations, and any chronic health problems or other concerns you may have.
  
  
• Start taking a daily prenatal vitamin with 0.4 mg (400 ug) of folic acid. This supplement reduces the chance of having a baby with a birth defect.
  
  
• See your dentist. Take care of any dental work you may need.
  
  
• Keep track of your menstrual cycle. This can not only help you know the best time to try to get pregnant, but later gives your health professional a good idea of your fetus's developmental age.
  
  
• Make healthy lifestyle choices. Eat a balanced diet. Cut down on caffeine. Avoid alcoholic beverages, medications that are unsafe during pregnancy, and street drugs.
  
  
• Exercise regularly. A strong body helps you handle the demands of pregnancy, childbirth, and recovery. Exercise also helps keep your mood up.

Additional Resources For more information, visit the "Pregnancy and Newborn Education Center" at the March of Dimes Website. For more than 60 years, the March of Dimes has worked to improve the health of babies through research, community services, advocacy, and education. At the organization's Website, you'll find helpful information about planning for pregnancy, what to expect during pregnancy, and caring for your newborn.

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