It is important to be healthy for everyone, not just pregnant women or those who are planning to become pregnant. However, pregnancy makes it all the more necessary to be healthy so that the pregnancy can sustain itself without complications up to its full term and give birth to a healthy baby.

Besides, just being healthy from the outside, the doctors recommend certain steps for women who are planning to become pregnant. These recommendations are:

1. To prevent birth defects, folic acid supplements should be started before conception. 
2. The mother should have all her vaccinations, dental care, x-rays or any vitamin deficiencies taken care of before the conception takes place. 
3. If a woman has had a history of premature deliveries or miscarriage, the doctor would want to review the history so as to prevent the complications this time during pregnancy. 
4. Women who are pregnant or about to become pregnant should keep away from toxic substances, drugs and smoking of all kinds.

Many babies born in the United States are born prematurely, have a low birthweight or have genetic birth defects. Many of these issues can be prevented if the parents decide to and improve their lives before starting a new one.

Tags: Preconception health, Pregnancy, Vaccination