Things to do before having a baby…
Thinking about having a baby in the next year or in the next few months?
Preconception is important to ensure a healthy pregnancy and can potentially lower risk of miscarriage and genetic abnormalities.
Here are a few things you can start to do:
1. Start taking pre-natal vitamins (a year would be a great, but a minimum of 3 months before trying to conceive). This will help prepare your body, womb and eggs to have enough nutrients to grow a healthy baby.
2. Dental work. Check for any infections and replace any amalgam (mercury fillings) and detox from mercury exposure.
3. Reduce toxic exposures. This can be a big undertaking. Some things you can start with is:
Removing teflon pans from your kitchen, replace with stainless steel or ceramic.
Replacing your water source that filters more toxins. Such as, stainless steel or glass reusable bottles and invest in reverse osmosis filter for kitchen sink and shower (make sure to add minerals to water after!).
Start looking at all your products (soaps, make-up, etc.) you use and check for toxin levels through environmental working group, EWG.org.
4. Increase vegetable and water intake.
Start adding vegetables to each meal, especially cruciferous and leafy greans, such as broccoli, cauliflower, Brussel sprouts, kale, spinach, etc.
Drink a minimum of half your body weight in ounces of water. Increase water if you drink caffeine and/or exercise.
5. Self-care. Stress can cause many issues in the body. Stress can be from work, home and even excess exercise. Allow you body to recover and recuperate.
Sleep is one of the best things you can do for your body, shoot for 7-8hrs per night. Refer to my other blog on sleep for more recommendations https://drdauz.com/blog/f/sleep-the-fountain-of-youth?blogcategory=Foundation+of+Health
Going outside and getting fresh air. Walking barefoot on the beach or taking a hike are a couple things you can do.
Meditate or pray daily
Talk with a psychologist
6. Movement. Shoot for 30mins a day of brisk walking to start.
7. Work with a Naturopathic Doctor of Functional Medicine practitioner to optimize you and your partners health! We can help to improve egg and sperm quality and also uncover underlying issues that might inhibit conception, such as thyroid condition or heavy metal toxicity.
Helping families grow is one of my favorite things to do. Schedule an appointment today! I would love to guide and support you through your fertility journey.