Having a baby is one of the most important and beautiful processes many women go through. It’s also a time when women have a lot of questions and their body goes through a lot of changes. At Mercy, we believe in providing excellent, compassionate care for every woman throughout each stage of her life – before conception, throughout pregnancy, during and well beyond delivery.

Long before becoming pregnant, it’s important for a woman to take care of herself both mentally and physically. Staying healthy with exercise and good nutrition are critical elements to preparing for a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby. Finding a doctor with whom you can develop a strong, open relationship is also key.

If you’re thinking getting pregnant – whether in three months or in three years – consider the preconception do’s and don’ts listed below. Also, several Mercy and Woodland Healthcare professionals have shared their knowledge and insights in the podcasts listed to the right. We invite you to hear directly from them about some of these important “before baby” issues.

DO...

• Take care of yourself. Not all pregnancies are planned, so maintaining a healthy lifestyle will help to ensure that whenever you conceive – planned or unplanned – you and your baby get off to the best start possible.
• Find an OB/GYN doctor that you’re comfortable with. Schedule a preconception appointment to discuss your medical history and plans for pregnancy.
• Start adding folic acid to your diet,either in the form of vitamin supplements or foods rich in folic acid such as citrus fruits, spinach and other leafy greens and fortified whole grains. Folic acid helps prevent certain birth defects in babies.
• Maintain a healthy exercise regiment, eat a balanced diet and get enough sleep. All of these combine for an overall healthy lifestyle and good pre-pregnancy plan.

DON'T...

• Smoke. If you are a smoker and are thinking about getting pregnant, now you have a great reason to stop.
• Drink alcohol. Even moderate amounts of alcohol consumption during the early stages of pregnancy can contribute to low birth weight and certain potential birth defects.
• Get stressed if you don’t get pregnant right away. Every month, a woman has about a 20% chance of conceiving a baby and an increased stress level can actually reduce that percentage.