There is nothing more fulfilling than getting married. Congratulations, you and your partner have finally tied the knot. At this point, you are now looking forward to the next big milestone in your life —starting a family. However, getting pregnant and raising a child can be a bit overwhelming. When planning a baby, you must be physically, mentally, and financially prepared and ready.
In this article, we’ll share with you five key things to consider when planning to get pregnant. Read below.
- Invest in your health
When looking to get pregnant, your health is a top priority. As much as possible, you must be in top shape and condition. So before taking the plunge into your baby-making project, do what it takes to be physically fit and healthy. This goes as simple:
- Eating healthy food
- Drinking plenty of water
- Getting regular exercises
- Having enough sleep
- Taking vitamins and minerals
In consonance with taking care of your health, prioritizing your reproductive health is a must. This is crucial in preparing yourself physically for pregnancy and being able to carry the child for nine months.
The best course of action is to visit your obstetrician or gynecologist for a preconception check-up. Your doctor will assess your potential pregnancy and rule out any possible complications. Along with this is to recommend some prenatal tests and prescribe vitamins you need.
- Value your personal hygiene
Maintaining personal hygiene is important, whether or not you’re pregnant. This is because taking care of your body is tantamount to taking care of your health and overall well-being. It goes without saying that the cleaner you are, the healthier you become. The same idea applies to pregnancy as well. The cleaner you are, the lesser the risk of infection will be.
When it comes to this, pay particular attention to your vaginal hygiene. Below are a few tips for you:
- Wash your part regularly.
- Change tampons, pads, and liners at least four times daily.
- Avoid scented soaps and gels.
- Wipe your area from front to back after using the toilet.
- Be extremely hygienic before and after sexual intercourse.
- Be wary of using certain clothes and undergarments.
- Invest in baby essentials
Another key consideration is to start investing in baby essentials as early as possible. Do so if you’re particularly looking to getting pregnant very soon. Fret not, as this is quite fun for aspiring mothers.
To do this, set up an account for your baby, come up with a list of essentials, and start buying them for over nine months. If you’re clueless about what to purchase, take a look at this newborn checklist.
With all these in mind, you’ll be able to set your budget and ultimately buy those things your baby will need.
- Be financially prepared
A report from the National Center for Biotechnology Information stated that “the financial is the main issue; it’s not even the child.” The study revealed that it is the parents’ finances that make them ready to have children and successfully raise them. Hence, if you are planning to have a baby, you must be financially equipped.
So before getting pregnant, be sure to take the following steps:
- Check your source of income and set your budget.
- Start saving up not only for pregnancy essentials but for emergencies as well.
- Get a life, disability, and health insurance to protect you and your baby.
- Check the maternity benefits offered by your employer.
- Set estate planning documents in place.
- Don’t force it if you aren’t ready
When it comes to planning a baby, you and your partner must sit down, talk, and decide if you are ready to raise a child and start a family. The rule of thumb here is to postpone this plan when you aren’t yet ready. That’s where family planning comes into the picture.
The good thing is that you can resort to various contraception methods if you aren’t prepared to have a baby. Below are some options:
- Long-term contraception (intrauterine device or implant)
- Hormonal contraception (combined oral contraceptive pill or progestogen-only contraceptive pill)
- Barrier methods (use of condoms)
- Fertility awareness (calendar method)
Keep in mind, however, that you have the option to abort the baby if you aren’t ready for pregnancy or there are complications that can put you and your baby in grave danger. Be sure to check the states you are in to see if abortion is legal. If it is, prepare yourself and visit a reputable abortion clinic. When you opt to take this route, consider getting an in-clinic abortion as it works 99 percent. You may either get a suction abortion or a dilation and evacuation (D&E) abortion as a way to empty your uterus.
Planning a baby can be a bit overwhelming, as there’s a lot to consider when getting pregnant. But with the five key steps outlined above, you can physically, mentally, and financially prepare yourself. Ultimately, doing so will help you give birth to a healthy baby, raise a child, and start a family you so envision.
Meta title: Family Planning 101: 5 Things to Consider Before Getting Pregnant
meta desc: Getting pregnant and raising a child is serious. That’s why you have to come in prepared and ready. Read on to learn some of the important things to consider.