Prepare for parenthood - before you're even pregnant!

Deciding to start a family will be one of the biggest and most exciting decisions you make, and isn't one to be taken lightly. There's a lot to consider when you start planning for a baby, and one thing that tops every parents list is health. Not only having a healthy baby but making sure mom is healthy too. The choices you make now, before you become pregnant, are important to your baby's health. Here are a few tips to kick off the pregnancy:

1. Schedule an appointment with your doctor to discuss the exciting step you are about to take. Ask if there are tests you should schedule or any routine exams you may have missed. It might be a good time for your annual pelvic exam to ensure everything is okay.

2. Healthy mom, healthy baby - ask your doctor for any dietary recommendations while trying to conceive. Now is probably a good time to cut out alcohol including wine, as there may be a period of time where you could be pregnant and may not know it yet.

3. If a woman doesn't get enough folic acid (also known as folate or Vitamin B9), her baby has a higher risk of developing a neural tube defect (NTD) which is a birth defect that can affect the brain (anencephaly) and/or spinal cord (spina bifida). While folic acid can be found in some of the foods you eat, most Canadian women might not get their recommended daily intake. Women of childbearing age should consider taking a multivitamin with folic acid, such as Centrum Materna at least 12 weeks prior to conception. In fact, Health Canada recommends that all women who could become pregnant - as well as those who are pregnant or breastfeeding - take a multivitamin containing folic acid every day.

4. Stay active! Most health care providers will recommend maintaining your regular exercise routine while you are trying to conceive. When you find out you are pregnant, ask your doctor about how much exercise you should do. There are varied answers, depending on your health and previous activity level to name a few. Have fun, nurture your relationship with your spouse and start your healthy pregnancy now!

- News Canada