checkMD Original Content

Dreams of strollers and diaper bags dance around in your head. Bottles and booties are what you think about every night before bed. Families all around you beam with delight and you tell your hubby-‘Let’s make a baby tonight!’

Now, wait just a minute. Though bringing a child into this world comes along with expressions such as ‘heaven sent’ and ‘bundle of joy,’ take a few moments, or months, to think about how life-changing it will be. Are your finances in order? Does your health insurance cover prenatal care? It is essential to discuss these matters with your partner pre-pregnancy to ensure a strong foundation for your new addition. Here are other tips to consider before moving forward with baby making:

Think about it—Take a look at your lifestyle; is it ready for a child? The couple’s cruise you are going on in August and the tour of Italy in November can be difficult, even impossible during pregnancy. Will you quit your job or put school off? Do you live in a cramped apartment or a family-friendly home? All of these are important to think about so when your baby does arrive, he or she is brought into a nurturing, stable environment.

Take a Test Drive—So you want to have a baby? As anyone with children will tell you, having a family is a lot of work. A LOT. Why not try it out first, and take your niece or nephew under your wing for the weekend? Get acquainted with having a child in your home and practice feeding, diaper changing, and development activities. This is a great way to introduce yourself to parenting life.

Quit the Bad Stuff—If getting pregnant is the next thing on your to-do list, it’s time to nix all the bad habits. Smoking and drinking alcohol must come to a halt immediately. Not only will it hinder your chances of getting pregnant, but it can be lethal for your unborn baby. Also, if you live in a highly stressful environment, let’s say at work, think about ways to diminish the stress. Cut back a little bit and it will make your pregnancy much more enjoyable for you and your baby.

Evaluate your Diet—Quit it with the junk food already! Many women have a preconceived notion that you can eat anything and everything you want while you’re pregnant. Wrong! Everything you eat, your baby is eating too, so unless you want your baby to come out craving licorice and lollipops, cut out the unhealthy foods and opt for more nutritious options. Equally important, make sure you are getting at least 400 micrograms of folic acid every day to prevent neural tube birth defects. Leafy greens, orange juice, whole grains, enriched cereals, and prenatal supplements are all great sources of folic acid.

Get Moving—Exercising undoubtedly has great perks both before and after pregnancy. It will boost your energy levels and ease the pain of delivery. If you are already on a solid exercise routine, great! Unless it is very strenuous, you should be able to stick to your normal schedule unless any out-of-the-ordinary discomfort arises. If you do not have a workout routine currently, a daily walk through the neighborhood is just enough to gain all the benefits.

Talk to Your Doctor—Last but certainly not least, consult your doctor before trying to get pregnant. Schedule a full physical and a pre-conception check-up to make sure your body is fully prepared for pregnancy.

If the pitter patter of little feet is in your near future, congratulations!