Читать книгу Sister Lilian’s Pregnancy & Birth Companion - Lilian Paramor - Страница 19

Increasingly, women and their partners are realising that preparing their bodies and minds for conception, pregnancy and parenthood is the very best form of preventative medicine. This is an excellent development. Moderate exercise contributes to a healthy pregnancy. Eating fresh, healthy food as often as possible and minimising processed and fast foods is a sure building block. Avoiding smoking and recreational drugs, restricting medicines to those that are really necessary and strictly limiting alcohol before and during pregnancy are essential to the equation.

Some supplements before conception, like folic acid, can improve overall health and ensure the best environment for conception. You cannot easily overdose on folic acid. Take about 400 mg daily from about three months before pregnancy and continue throughout the first trimester. You need only supplement with other vitamins and minerals if you are not eating healthily or are frequently unwell. Taking a general pregnancy supplement like those your doctor will prescribe or one of the well-known brands available in pharmacies and health stores is fine even before pregnancy.