Bringing a new life into the world is a miraculous thing, and more and more new parents are realizing the importance of scientific conception. However, valuing it doesn't necessarily mean understanding it, and it's easy to be trapped in various misconceptions.
Common misconceptions about preparing for pregnancy
Misconception 1: No need for a health check if you are physically healthy
Many couples believe that if they are physically healthy, there will be no issues with fertility. However, being physically healthy does not guarantee good fertility. Many people may appear healthy on the surface but may have some underlying medical conditions that can only be detected through pre-pregnancy examinations. For example, women may have uterine malformations, poor egg quality, or abnormal thyroid function. Men may have poor sperm quality, high rates of abnormal or fragmented sperm, which can affect normal conception. Therefore, pre-pregnancy examinations are necessary. If there is no pregnancy after one year of trying, it is advisable to seek medical examination and treatment.
Misconception 2: Preparing for pregnancy is solely the woman's responsibility
When it comes to preparing for pregnancy, many people think it is mainly the woman's responsibility, and men only need to quit smoking and drinking. However, both men and women are equally important in preparing for pregnancy. Women provide eggs, while men provide sperm. If the quantity and quality of sperm from men do not meet the requirements, it can potentially affect the health of the fetus. Therefore, couples need to prepare together during the pre-pregnancy period in order to conceive a healthy and intelligent baby.
How to prepare for pregnancy correctly
Balance diet and give up bad habits
During the pre-pregnancy period, women should pay attention to sufficient nutritional reserves and consume foods that are rich in nutrients and easy to digest, such as meat, fish, vegetables, soy products, and fruits. Adequate and good nutrition helps improve the quality of eggs. Avoid or reduce the consumption of unhealthy foods such as barbecued food, fried food, and highly processed food.
Iodine is an essential trace element for the synthesis of thyroid hormones. To avoid the adverse effects of iodine deficiency on the intellectual and physical development of the fetus, women preparing for pregnancy should use iodized salt and consume iodine-rich seafood such as kelp and seaweed at least once a week to increase iodine reserves.
Women of childbearing age should supplement 400 micrograms of folic acid daily. The continuous supplementation of folic acid for 12-14 weeks can reach an effective and stable level of serum folate concentration, which ensures a better folate nutritional status in the early stage of embryo development and meets the needs of neural tube differentiation for methylation, reducing the risk of neural tube and multi-organ malformations in the offspring. Therefore, women preparing for pregnancy should start supplementing folic acid three months before trying to conceive. For women who have a history of giving birth to babies with neural tube defects, have low folate metabolism, or suspect folate deficiency, higher doses of folic acid should be taken under the guidance of a doctor.
Both partners should quit smoking and drinking at least three months before attempting to conceive and stay away from smoking environments. Harmful substances in tobacco enter the reproductive system through the bloodstream and can directly or indirectly have toxic effects, increasing the risk of birth defects in the next generation. Long-term or heavy drinking in men can cause chronic or acute alcohol poisoning, reduce sperm count and vitality, increase the proportion of abnormal and dead sperm, and thus affect conception and embryo development. Alcohol can also enter the fetal blood through the placenta, causing adverse effects on fetal intrauterine growth, central nervous system development, and intelligence.
Maintain a regular schedule and exercise regularly
During the pre-pregnancy period, both men and women should have a regular sleep schedule, avoid staying up late, and ensure sufficient sleep. Adequate sleep can improve the body's immune function and enhance the function of organs and tissues, especially the reproductive system, which helps produce high-quality eggs and sperm. Breathe fresh air, develop healthy and scientific living habits, maintain mental health, relieve mental stress, and prepare for pregnancy in the later stage.
Couples preparing for pregnancy should engage in at least 30-40 minutes of exercise every day. They can choose suitable exercises based on their own conditions, such as jogging and walking. Exercise can help prevent overweight and obesity, maintain a healthy weight, enhance cardiorespiratory function, improve blood circulation, respiratory and digestive system functions, increase disease resistance, enhance adaptability, regulate tension, improve physiological and psychological states, and promote better sleep.
Maintaining an appropriate weight before pregnancy can reduce the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Preparing for pregnancy should involve adjusting weight through a balanced diet and moderate exercise to achieve an ideal body mass index (BMI) range of 18.5 to 23.9. Being overweight or obese before pregnancy increases the risk of pregnancy-induced hypertension, gestational diabetes, macrosomia, and cesarean section. Being underweight before pregnancy increases the risk of low birth weight or premature birth.
Maintain a clean environment
Some families like to keep small pets, such as cats and dogs, which can carry viruses like toxoplasma. To avoid infection, it is best to vaccinate the pets and avoid close contact with them.
During the pre-pregnancy period, it is advisable to avoid various forms of pollution as much as possible. Pollution is everywhere nowadays, so it is important to minimize exposure to toxic substances. Reduce the intake of car exhaust and second-hand smoke, choose organic food, eat less fast food, use pregnancy-safe cosmetics, avoid nail polish, and minimize hair perming and dyeing.
