What is the best way to prepare for Pregnancy?

What is the best way to prepare for Pregnancy? If you have been thinking about having a baby, it’s a good idea to prepare for pregnancy both physically and mentally. These are the ‘prep steps ‘as advised by Nicole Chien, a well-known nutritionist and founder of women’s healthcare brand Taste for Life in Australia. Nicole specialises in women’s health, Chinese Traditional Medicine (TCM) and herbal nutrition and this is 7 tips what she advises below : 

1. See your doctor and seek for Pre-pregnancy advice.
   
   If you are thinking about pregnancy, visit your doctor for a preconception consult. They will provide you with expert advice on planning your pregnancy.
   
   The preconception period (3 to 6 months prior to pregnancy) is the time to make life changes that can help boost fertility, reduce problems during pregnancy and assist in recovery from birth.
   
   Your healthcare provider will discuss your health history and any medical conditions you currently have that could affect a pregnancy. They may want to discuss any previous pregnancy problems, medicines you currently are taking, vaccinations you might need, and steps you can take before pregnancy to help prevent certain birth defects.
   
   
2. Start taking folic acid each day.
   
   It’s difficult to consume enough folate (folic acid) and other nutrients that are vital for your baby’s development in the early weeks of pregnancy. Like most women, you may not even know you are pregnant at this critical stage, which is why it’s best to start taking a daily pre-conception and pregnancy (prenatal) supplement. Folic acid helps to provide the best health outcomes for your baby when they are growing. Taking folic acid daily at least 400~600 micrograms (mcg) of folate before and during pregnancy also prevents the occurrence of neural tube defects, such as spina bifida, in your baby. Iodine is important for the baby’s brain development.
3. Avoid toxic substances and environmental contaminants.
   
   Avoid harmful chemicals, environmental contaminants, and other toxic substances such as synthetic chemicals, some metals, fertilizer, bug spray, and cat or rodent feces around the home and in the workplace. These substances can hurt the reproductive systems of men and women. They can make it more difficult to get pregnant. Exposure to even small amounts during pregnancy, infancy, childhood, or puberty can lead to diseases.
   
   DON”T smoke, drink alcohol or take drugs. All of these can make it harder for you to get pregnant. And they’re harmful to your baby when you do get pregnant. Also, stay away from secondhand smoke. This is smoke from someone else’s cigarettes and cigar.
4. Maintain a healthy weight. Eat optimally and boost your metabolism through diet.
   
   It’s important to exercise regularly and maintain a proper weight before and during pregnancy. Talk to your doctor or dietitian if you feel you need to lose or gain weight. Women who are overweight may experience medical problems, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, type 2 diabetes and certain cancers (endometrial, breast, and colon). Women who are underweight may have babies with low birth weight.
   
   The key to achieving and maintaining a healthy weight isn’t about short-term dietary changes. It’s about a lifestyle that includes healthy eating and regular physical activity.
5. Get mentally healthy by exercising, meditating, and avoiding stress where possible.
   
   Mental health is how we think, feel, and act as we cope with life. To be at your best, you need to feel good about your life and value yourself. Everyone feels worried, anxious, sad, or stressed sometimes. However, if these feelings do not go away and they interfere with your daily life, get help. Talk with your healthcare provider about your feelings and treatment options.
   
   
6. Regain your health by making up for all the nutrition lost during your last period.
   
   A regular menstrual cycle is important when try to conceive, whereas an irreular menstrual cycle can be problematic for several reasons if you are trying to fall pregnant. Starting your pregnancy plan by replenishing the loss of nutrients that occurs as a result of your period.“Among other things your period robs you of iron and minerals which in turn can affect your hormones so it’s really important to replace what you have lost so your body functions optimally. A healthy body is always preferable for pregnancy,” Nicole says. "adequate nutrition is especially important during this phase because it provides the energy your body needs as it prepares to release an egg.”The preconception period is the 3-12 months prior to falling pregnant. What you eat now will affect your egg production in roughly 3 months’ time, which in turn may affect your future baby’s health.
7. Improve your immunity through your diet / Key Nutrients to Support Pre Conception.
   
   Choosing a well-balanced diet filled with vitamin-rich healthy foods, is the best way to prepare your body for pregnancy and make sure to meet the recommended daily intakes (RDI) for the planning phase.
   
   Here are some nutrition guidelines for what you need to eat in your healthy Pre-pregnancy diet for the best opportunity to conceive.
   
   Herbs Ensure good blood circulation to the womb. Create an ideal environment for implantation and warm the body. Red dates, Danggui, white peony root, dried longan, Huang Qi and other herbs Menstrual Care Package, Menstrual Detox & Beauty Essence, ZJT Warming Tea.

Supplements and Nutrition for Pre-pregnancy

Foods that contain all nine essential amino acids are called complete proteins. These foods include beef, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy, soy, quinoa and buckwheat. Foods that contain some but not all the essential amino acids are called incomplete proteins. These foods include nuts, seeds, beans and some grains but all proteins - complete or not - are invaluable if you are prepping for pregnancy.

You can buy Chinese herbal soup bases that are high in amino acids to help replenish and rebalance the body and, also, to regulate the body’s circulation which is important for early pregnancy. You are best advised to take these during your period.

“If you want even more benefit then make up these soups with glutinous rice water – glutinous rice water contains a high level of nutrients including vitamins, minerals and amino acids. Of course feel free to add additional protein and vegetables to your taste,” says Nicole.

Nicole also advises drinking Red Jujube Tea. This tea which contains red dates is to be taken after your period. “The red dates contain protein, vitamin A, C and calcium, magnesium, and other mineral elements. These red dates are very important in Traditional Chinese Medicine, supplementing and nourishing your health,” explains Nicole.

ZJT Warming Tea is also recommended “This tea helps support uterine health and encourages healthy and regular periods. It is made with seven selected natural ingredients including ginger slices which helps with body conditioning, whole fungus which is rich in natural collagen (get that pregnancy glow early!), red dates for energy and a clear complexion and natural brown sugar which is rich in minerals and helps to build energy (not all sugar is bad!). The tea also contains logan pulps which are nutrient rich, wolf berries – packed with essential nutrients, micronutrients and vitamins and beta carotenes. Last but not least, the tea contains black dates which are high in fibre.” says Nicole.

If you are preparing for pregnancy, these are highly recommended Koji Rice Tea, Chicken Essence, Eel Essence. These improve immunity and metabolism.

Koji Rice Tea is a natural nourishing drink with caramel type flavours. It’s made from especially selected glutinous rice, high-quality water and Japanese Koji Rice. Its nutrients are easily absorbed and designed to help relieve fatigue, boost energy and promote over-all well-being. It also enhances intestinal health, builds up the immune system, speeds up metabolism and helps with inflammation. Likewise, Chicken Essence and Eel Essence – again easily available already prepared - also do wonders for immunity and metabolism and are great when preparing for pregnancy.

Boost your fertility with Nutrition and TCM Natural Way

Traditional Chinese Medicine can increase your chances of getting pregnant. Acupuncture and herbal medicine are helpful to treat hormonal issues, to harmonize the menstrual cycle, to stimulate follicular maturation and ovulation. TCM can be important not only for female infertility but also for male infertility.

TCM has been used for centuries to improve reproductive health and boost fertility. Through techniques such as acupuncture, herbal remedies and dietary changes, it can help regulate the menstrual cycle and create a nurturing environment for conception as well as it can improve your chance of conception that may be affecting your reproductive health.