Trying to conceive for some time now, but odds seem to be going against you? If it’s already been a year, maybe it’s time to consult a doctor. But know that with all the support, proper care, and know-how on becoming a mother –- from conception to delivery, everything is possible.

INFERTILITY

In general, infertility is defined as not being able to get pregnant (conceive) after one year (or longer) of unprotected sex. This may entail you to consult a fertility expert already. Fertility drugs might be prescribed to regulate or induce ovulation, which may include:

• Oral Ovulation Inducers/tablets
• Oral Hypoglycemic Agents
• Hormone Injection/Shots
  

Conceiving a baby, nurturing it inside the womb, and finally giving birth to a new bundle of joy is an extremely amazing yet challenging journey for a woman. The physical changes, lifestyle adjustments, emotional rollercoaster, and demands of a new life may not come easy, as one goes through the whole journey. But with a little help on pregnancy care and what can be done to take care of one’s self and the baby, we hope to make this journey a little bit easier for would-be moms. From conception to postnatal care, the following should guide you.

PRENATAL

Nine months of nourishing your baby inside the womb and making sure you too stay healthy takes a lot of hard work. What pregnancy basics should you be aware of? Take note of the following.

• Avoid raw foods. If you have a special liking for raw foods, you may have to say goodbye to undercooked meats and eggs, at least for now. Listeria, a germ/bacteria present in undercooked foods is extremely dangerous as it causes miscarriage, still birth, and newborn infection. Make sure your foods are all cooked well and piping hot. Stay away from raw fish, sunny side up eggs with runny yolks, mould-ripened cheeses like brie, unpasteurised milk, and foods that may contain raw eggs like mayonnaise and mousse. 

• Know what medications to avoid. Some medications you’ve been accustomed to may now have harmful effects on you. Anti-inflammatory painkillers like ibuprofen, taken regularly, may adversely affect the large vessels of a developing fetus, so avoid this whenever possible. If you’re experiencing constipation, opt for natural solutions like an increase in fluid and  fiber intake instead of resorting to artificial laxatives that may cause undue pressure on your tummy.

• Manage your Vitamin A intake. Vitamin A is a necessary nutrient, but an excess of this vitamin can pose danger to an unborn baby. Hence, foods that contain a high amount of this vitamin should be avoided. Liver products such as liver pate may have to take a backseat in your diet for now.

• Minimize pet nannying. Cuddling with your furbaby may be your thing; However, pets (cats and kittens especially) are potential sources of toxoplasmosis infection often leading to miscarriage, stillbirth, and abnormalities for the baby. Know that cat feces contain toxoplasma germs that can cause toxoplasmosis infection, Hence, you have to limit your cat/kitten nannying moments. Get someone to “nanny” your cat and tidy up any cat litter. 

• Ensure regular visits to your doctor. This will allow your doctor to monitor your progress and address medical issues that may be raised. Expect blood tests for anemia, blood pressure and weight gain check, monitoring of your baby’s development, and recommendations for your diet and exercise. Ideally, see your doctor once a month for the first six months of your pregnancy, every two weeks in your seventh and eighth month, and every week during your ninth month. 
  

POSTNATAL

You’ve done a good job preparing for the coming of your baby. Congratulations! Now let’s get you ready too for post delivery recovery. Here are some postpartum care tips to consider.

• Weeks before your delivery date, have your postnatal recovery checklist prepared.
  1. Maxi pads for postpartum bleeding
  2. Cotton underpants for comfortable underwear
  3. Nursing bras for comfortable breastfeeding
  4. Heating pad for breast pain relief, ice packs to ease vaginal pain

• Get enough rest. Sleep! We can’t stress this enough. This is recovery time when your body needs complete rest, physically and mentally. You don’t have to entertain your visitors or fuss about tidying your place. Get someone to do diaper changes and cleaning for your baby. Rest, just rest.

• Load up on healthy foods. Fuel up by eating small, frequent meals throughout the day. Load up on complex carbs and protein for energy, and fiber for easy bowel movement. More fiber and water intake lessens any form of strain especially on perineal tears when you do your bowel movement.

• Pay attention to vaginal care. Vaginal tearing is a common birth injury and recovery time differs based on the severity of vaginal tears. For pain, cold packs would help. Watch out for possible infection signs like excessive pain or fever. In such cases, immediately consult a doctor.

• Take care of your breasts. Aching breasts?  Put on a warm compress or an ice pack and gently massage. For breastfeeding moms, apply lanolin cream to prevent your nipples from cracking. Get a comfortable nursing bra and let your breasts out for a few minutes after every breastfeeding session.

• Be ready for the possibility of past-partum depression. Postpartum depression is largely due to fluctuations in hormones, body changes, lack of sleep. and a lot of lifestyle adjustments. This can also be an offshoot of nutritional imbalance. 1 out of 4 moms go through this, so it helps if you prepare yourself emotionally that this too can happen. Know that this is common and that there are ways to manage this. One is by ensuring you have enough supply of the needed nutrients. As food alone may not provide this, make sure you have your vitamins and supplements. Seeking professional advice can also help.
  

Conceiving successfully, carrying a baby, and finally welcoming your little one into the world is a life-changing experience. It’s definitely challenging. But with a little help to get you through this whole journey, giving birth to a new life is greatly rewarding. 

SOURCES:

https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy-care#pregnancy
https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/parenting/a30657091/postpartum-care/
https://www.whattoexpect.com/pregnancy/pregnancy-health/postpartum-recovery/
https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/healthy-pregnancy
https://patient.info/pregnancy/diet-and-lifestyle-during-pregnancy
https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/5-ways-to-prepare-before-starting-a-family