10 Ways to Prepare Your Body for Pregnancy

Research shows that many birth defects can be prevented with a little advance planning, so planning for a healthy baby should start well before the process of conception. This is important knowledge for all women of childbearing age because, half of all pregnancies, are unplanned.

While not all birth defects can be prevented, here are the top 10 ways to prepare your body for pregnancy:

1. Take Folic Acid Supplements

All women of childbearing age should take folic acid supplements at least three months before becoming pregnant. It's important because insufficient levels of folate have been implicated as the cause of one common class of birth defects, neural tube defects (the most common of these being spina bifida). These defects occur very early in the pregnancy, well before the woman's first prenatal appointment, which is generally scheduled for about 10 weeks.

However, don't go overboard with the supplements; too much is also not good.

2. See Your Doctor Before Conceiving

Seeing your doctor before you try to conceive can add to a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby.

3. Seek Genetic Counseling

The cause of most birth defects isn't known, but couples with a history of birth defects in their family may benefit from genetic screening to analyze their risk of passing on a birth defect to their child.

4. Don't Drink

One entirely avoidable birth defect is fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). Damage from alcohol can range from mild intellectual and behavioral issues to profound disabilities or premature death.

5. Stop Smoking and Avoid Secondhand Smoke

You will be surprised to know that smoking causes miscarriages. While smoking has not been proven to cause birth defects, it does deprive the fetus of oxygen and is the most harmful of all environmental toxins.

6. Avoid Environmental Toxins

Chemicals have long been suspected of causing birth defects. Avoid daily, heavy exposure to chemicals. If you work in a cleaning business, art studio or factory where there is unavoidable exposure, use gloves, masks and adequate ventilation. Avoid exposure to lead, important when buying and restoring old furniture or renovating an older home. Those who work in the medical field should take special care to take precautions against radiation.

7. Eat Healthfully

Good nutrition is one of the most crucial factors in a healthy pregnancy outcome. In spite of the massive information campaign for folic acid, there's a huge population of women who still don't take supplements. But folic acid isn't the whole story; there are other nutrients that can also help prevent birth defects.

Eat a variety of healthy foods, with a particular emphasis on richly colored produce, whole grains, beans and legumes and lean protein sources. Also take a supplement fortified with DHA, which is the nutrient provided by foods rich in omega 3 fatty acids. The problem is that many of the best food sources of omega 3s are fatty fishes, which may have unacceptable levels of mercury. Instead, look for a supplement from a vegetarian source made from marine algae. This helps ensure healthy brain and vision formation.

8. Relax

Research shows that women exposed to severe stress are more likely to give birth to children with birth defects. Stress has also been linked to a higher risk of miscarriage, preterm birth and infertility.

9. Screen for HPV

While the human papillomavirus (HPV) has not been linked to birth defects, it has been linked to an increased risk of preterm labor, which can result in serious brain and lung impairment in children. It's estimated that at least 50 percent of sexually active men and women acquire genital HPV infection at some point in their lives.

10. Go Drug Free

It goes without saying that illegal drugs are always bad. However, many prescription drugs are not safe to take during pregnancy. Always consult with your OB/GYN so he or she can do a thorough review of any prescription medicine you may be taking, especially for chronic conditions, to determine if they're safe in pregnancy.