You set aside room for a nursery and give serious thought to baby-proofing outlets and cabinets against the day your little one learns to crawl and becomes curious. You study health guidelines so that you might make informed decisions about formula vs. breastfeeding, and homemade baby food vs. commercial foods. You begin to get a good idea of your parenting philosophy and you pick out the perfect names.

Their first home needs attention too

You instinctively understand that your baby will be dependent on you for his health, safety, and security, so you prepare to give him the best that you, as loving parents, have to offer.  But this isn't your baby's first home.  His first home is in that warm cocoon inside your body.  This is where he will get his first nourishment, and while he is there his organs will grow sufficiently so that he can survive in the world outside your body.

How can you prepare this temporary but oh-so-important dwelling so that your baby will thrive while living there?

Planned pregnancies are advantageous because they give you the opportunity to get into optimum health beforehand.  Make an appointment with your GP and let him know your plans to become pregnant.   He will let you know how soon to stop certain types of contraceptives so that your body is free of substances that might not be good for your baby.  He may suggest a non-hormonal barrier method for a cycle before you attempt to become pregnant.  Take note of your cycle so that you will be able to predict your fertile period.  Once you have become pregnant, these figures will help to determine your conception window and thus, your due date.

Pay close attention to the foods you are eating.  Cut back or eliminate the junk food and substitute healthy alternatives.  Take a vitamin/mineral supplement that your doctor recommends.  If you don't already exercise, begin now with a reasonable regimen that will give you added strength, endurance and a few endorphins along the way.

If you drink alcohol, smoke, or take drugs, then you should understand that these substances can have harmful effects on your baby's health in varying degrees.  It's best to eliminate these from your body before becoming pregnant.  You baby's father needs to do the same.  A child will have a difficult time thriving when these are in your system or in your life.

Be aware of environmental insults to your baby.  Toxoplasmosis is an infection that is dangerous to a fetus, and is contracted from raw meats, litter boxes, or contaminated drinking water.  Various chemicals in the home and workplace can harm him, whether it's a substance that is absorbed through the mother's skin or breathed in by her.  Some jobs are too dangerous for a mother-to-be to even consider. Switch to natural cleaning products in and around the home so you can minimise your contact with chemicals. Remember, everything you touch is absorbed through your skin into your system.

It's best to try for a baby when you have your internal house in order.  You will have prepared an optimal environment for your baby to grow healthily, and he will be far better prepared to face the challenges outside of your body after he is born.

Article by Rachel Goodchild

Other articles of interest:
The Stages of Pregnancy
Keep Your Pregnancy Healthy
Kegel Exercises
Nutrition During Pregnancy

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