If you and your partner want to start a family, it’s never too early to get ready! You can take action right now to improve your fertility and increase your chances of having a healthy pregnancy.
Take Control of Your Reproductive and Overall Health
By gaining a greater understanding of your health before trying for a baby, you are better prepared for the pregnancy journey ahead.
You can take these steps to gain control of your reproductive and overall health:
- Talk to your provider. Your provider can review your medical history and recommend actions that can help you prepare for pregnancy. For example, you may need to change or stop certain medications.
- Get a cervical screening. This test can determine whether you have HPV and are at risk for cervical cancer.
- Know your menstrual cycle and track ovulation. Having sex during ovulation can increase your chances of becoming pregnant. Many smartphone apps can help you track your menstrual cycle.
- Manage any medical conditions. Gaining control of certain conditions before pregnancy—such as diabetes—can help you and your baby avoid complications.
- Understand your family history. This can help you identify factors that may interfere with conception and pregnancy.
- Get vaccinated. Staying up to date on vaccinations can protect you and your baby from diseases and illnesses, such as the flu.
- Take care of your mental health. This can help you cope with feelings such as stress and anxiety that may affect you during pregnancy and beyond.
Make Lifestyle Changes to Maximize Fertility
Certain healthy behaviors—such as exercise—can go a long way toward enhancing your fertility. Making these lifestyle changes can help you experience a healthy pregnancy:
- Quit smoking. Smoking can affect your fertility and may cause your baby to have birth defects.
- Stop using drugs and alcohol. Birth defects, preterm labor and stillbirth are common complications linked to drug and alcohol use during pregnancy.
- Eat healthy foods. Foods such as fruits and vegetables can boost your fertility and contribute to healthy baby development.
- Take a prenatal vitamin. Prenatal vitamins with folic acid may prevent brain and spinal defects in your baby. Aim to get 400 mcg of folic acid every day.
- Maintain a healthy weight. A healthy weight can reduce your risk of malnutrition, diabetes, and high blood pressure during pregnancy.
- Avoid toxins. Lead-based paint, secondhand smoke, and pesticides are examples of toxins that may harm you and your baby during pregnancy.
Find a Health Center Near You
- Make an appointment at a nearby health center if you are planning a pregnancy. Services offered by NJFPL health centers include: Pregnancy testing
- Preconception care
- Basic infertility screening
- Breast and cervical cancer screening
- Sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing and treatment
- Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing
- Pregnancy education
These services are available to anyone regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, income level and insurance status.
The New Jersey Family Planning League is dedicated to guiding you safely through your conception and pregnancy journey. Find a health center near you today.