Planning to have a baby is a major life decision for you and your partner and we certainly understand the weight it puts on your shoulders.
First of all, hearty congratulations! Getting pregnant can be one of the happiest moments in a couple’s life. While some pregnancies happen by chance, some need to be planned. This is especially true for millennials and the demanding lifestyle that we have today. Today's parenting millennials challenges are quite different from that of the previous generation. And so, the demands of preconception and pregnancy are different too.
Preparing your body to nurture your little one inside benefits not only your baby but also you. So, if you are planning to get pregnant, here's a preconception planning guide that will help you enjoy a smooth and joyful pregnancy free from complications.
Think of this as a conception guide for millennials designed to address concerns specific to you.
Preconception Planning: What You Need To Do
1. Medical check-ups
The moment you and your spouse make the decision to have a baby, book an appointment for a pre-conception screening test. This is necessary to reduce the risks of birth defects and miscarriages.
The doctor will investigate your medical history and inquire about your family’s medical background for abnormalities like achondroplasia (a type of dwarfism). Other tests include a Pap smear, ultrasound of your reproductive system and blood tests for sexually transmitted diseases.
If you are not already vaccinated, the doctor might suggest vaccinations against hepatitis B and rubella, and prescribe prenatal supplements like folic acid, calcium, and iron. Some doctors may also recommend completing your Covid vaccination as well, something specific to millennials.
2. Healthy lifestyle and eating habits
Good sleep and nutritious food are essential factors for improved fertility and healthy pregnancy. Include lean meats, eggs, vegetables, fruits, whole milk, nuts and yoghurt in your diet.
You need to avoid junk food and desserts to control your blood sugar levels and also avoid alcohol, caffeine, oily foods, fizzy drinks, sushi and other raw meats, soft cheese and readymade sauces.
Dr Yeong Cheng Toh, Singapore’s leading and highly experienced fertility specialist advises, “Preparation of pregnancy is very important. The lifestyle, food habits and physical activities that couples follow every day will influence the possible success of conception.”
3. Start an exercise routine
Exercise is yet another crucial factor that helps to prepare your body for conception. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) states that including exercise in your preconception planning programme will help you conceive faster and reduce complications during pregnancy.
However, they also advise you to avoid strenuous exercises. Some activities you can include in your fitness regime include jogging, running and aerobics. A yoga mat can be a great addition to your fitness routine, providing you with a stable and comfortable surface to practice yoga. Yoga is yet another excellent form of workout to stimulate your ovaries and uterus, boost blood supply to your reproductive organs, relieve stress and anxiety, and make your groins and hips flexible.
4. Indulge in a holiday
Although pregnancy is a wonderful feeling, it can be pretty stressful. This is the apt time to indulge in a holiday either with your spouse or your friends. Treat yourself to some adventurous sports like paragliding or snorkelling. Book a villa, have some fun in the sun and go for nature walks.
With a newfound focus on careers and building a life, many women prefer to marry later and have kids at an older age. It helps provide mums better time and headspace to have a child, while also being financially strong and independent to take care of the little one.
Millennial parents are able to approach parenthood more responsibly while also managing the best of education, enrichment and more that they can provide. It's a far more secure space for many than you would think.
That being said, some couples choose to marry early and have kids in their early 20s. Either way, it's completely okay. What's important to know is that you are ready for motherhood.
Doctors say the ideal childbearing age is between 20 to 35 years for women. Dr Kelly Loi, a renowned obstetrics and gynaecology specialist in Singapore, says, "After the age of 35, a woman’s ovarian reserve and the quality of her eggs decline. Although advanced fertility treatments might help her to conceive, the risks of complications for both, mother and her baby, are high.”
After you conceive, make sure that you dutifully follow all the newly inculcated good habits. Ensure that you do not miss your appointments with your doctor. Finally, cherish every moment of this priceless and delightful journey of motherhood.
References: Virtus Fertility Centre
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