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Thinking about getting pregnant, here\u2019s what you need to know!<\/b><\/p>\n
Now that you\u2019ve decided to get pregnant, there are appropriate steps you can follow to prepare for this life changing event.\u00a0 Ideally you and your partner want to allow yourself 6 months to go through a check list of pre-planning before actually becoming pregnant. This creates the foundation for a healthy pregnancy and healthy baby.<\/span><\/p>\n The Preconception Care Check List includes meeting with a gynecologist\/healthcare provider 6 months ahead of time to see if you both are physically and mentally ready to have a healthy pregnancy. \u00a0 Did you know that 50% of pregnancies are unplanned?\u00a0 So for the 50% of you that want to have a planned approach to becoming their healthiest self here is the list to discuss with your healthcare provider.<\/span><\/p>\n It\u2019s never too early to become your healthiest self.\u00a0 Preparing for pregnancy should be thoughtful and deliberate.\u00a0 If you follow the <\/span>Preconception Care Check List<\/b> this will ensure you are completely healthy and well educated as you begin the pregnancy cycle.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Check-List for Preconceptional Care<\/b><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n When is the best time during the month to get pregnant?<\/b><\/p>\n <\/p>\n I spend a great deal of time giving a brief biology lesson on knowing when during the menstrual cycle pregnancy can occur.\u00a0 Understanding when is the right time during your menstrual cycle to conceive is essential. On average, women have a period every 28 days. Many women don\u2019t have a perfect 28-day cycle and this can make it challenging to know when the egg is available for conception. Ovulation is the time when the egg is available to be fertilized over a 24-hour period. Typically, ovulation occurs 14 days <\/span>prior<\/b> to getting your period.\u00a0 Some women notice an \u201cegg white and slimy\u201d discharge around the time of ovulation while others actually notice a twinge or slight pelvic discomfort. Since sperm lives for 3-5 days knowing when ovulation occurs makes timed intercourse a straightforward process.\u00a0 The idea is to have the sperm waiting for the egg. For example, if you have determined that you ovulate on Day 15 (Day 1 being the first day of your period), then you can have timed intercourse on Day 14, 15 and 16.\u00a0 Having intercourse on these days ensures that the sperm and egg are interfacing with hopes of an embryo being formed.\u00a0 Additionally since the lifecycle of sperm is 72 hours, some experts suggest having intercourse on Day 10 and then abstaining until Day 14 based on the example. This way there is fresh sperm ready to find the egg in the fallopian tube where fertilization takes place.\u00a0 I suggest purchasing an ovulation kit and or downloading the \u201cmaybe baby\u201d app to help identify the fertile period of your cycle.\u00a0 So when the time comes to start trying you are prepared with the tools to target the fertile days of the month.<\/span><\/p>\n How long does it take to become pregnant?<\/b><\/p>\n <\/p>\n\n
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\n Table 1.<\/b>\u00a0Caffeine Content of Foods and Beverages<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n \u00a0\u00a0<\/span>Food and Beverages<\/b><\/td>\n Milligrams of<\/b>
\n<\/b>Caffeine (Average)<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n \u00a0\u00a0Coffee (8 oz)<\/span>
\n<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Brewed, drip<\/span>
\n<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Instant<\/span><\/td>\n\u00a0<\/span>
\n<\/span>137<\/span>
\n<\/span>76<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n \u00a0\u00a0Tea (8 oz)<\/span>
\n<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Brewed<\/span>
\n<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Instant<\/span><\/td>\n\u00a0<\/span>
\n<\/span>48<\/span>
\n<\/span>26\u201336<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n \u00a0\u00a0Caffeinated soft drinks (12 oz)<\/span><\/td>\n 37<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n \u00a0\u00a0Hot cocoa (12 oz)<\/span><\/td>\n 8\u201312<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n \u00a0\u00a0Chocolate milk (8 oz)<\/span><\/td>\n 5\u20138<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n \u00a0\u00a0Candy<\/span>
\n<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dark chocolate (1.45 oz)<\/span>
\n<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Milk chocolate (1.55 oz)<\/span>
\n<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Semi-sweet chocolate (1\/4 cup)<\/span>
\n<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Chocolate syrup (1 tbsp)<\/span><\/td>\n\u00a0<\/span>
\n<\/span>30<\/span>
\n<\/span>11<\/span>
\n<\/span>26\u201328<\/span>
\n<\/span>3<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n \u00a0\u00a0Coffee ice cream or frozen yogurt<\/span>
\n<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0(1\/2 cup)<\/span><\/td>\n2<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, 2000.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n \n