Getting ready to get pregnant! | ExpatWoman.com
 

Getting ready to get pregnant!

270
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 15 May 2011 - 13:13

Hi ladies
I know there are plenty of mums here so I will really appreciate your advise.
We are going to start trying for our first baby next month. I know nothing about pregnancies or babies so I have bought a couple of books and I am checking websites.... Apart from the obvious (no alcohol, folic acid....) is there anything that you could tell me?
Also I am reluctant to take vitamin supplements - Can I just have a good diet (which I already have) looking at the food I take instead of taking a pill?
Thanks in advance!

32
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 May 2011 - 08:49
Should also add that if you do need a rubella jab you will probably be advised to use birth control for six to eight weeks. This is because the rubella vaccine is a live vaccine and so could theoretically cause problems for the embryo. If you have the test, find your immunity is low, but think you might already be pregnant, you need to tell your GP, as s/he probably won't give you the jab until you get your period (i.e. are definitely not pregnant).
270
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 May 2011 - 08:16
Thanks very much for all your advice, and the links posted in the other thread, they are very useful! How are you getting on Water baby? Off I go to buy Folic Acid supplement, as apparently is a must! Nice to see there are so many people here to ask questions, just in case I need more help in the future ;)
82
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 15 May 2011 - 17:15
Good diet, exercise, trust your body, relax, relax, relax ... good luck! x
32
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 15 May 2011 - 17:10
It took me 18 months to get pregnant. All I did before I got a positive test was visited my GP for tests and advice, started take folic acid, got my Rubella vaccine updated (tests showed I was no longer immune) and I started wearing gloves to change the kitty litter (toxoplasmosis is found in cat faeces and soil, so you can still touch domestic cats as long as they have been vaccinated). Keep in mind that the vast majority of pregnancies are unplanned and the vast majority of babies turn out just fine. Also keep in mind that if you do not get pregnant right away, you may find it difficult to live your life as if you're already pregnant, so obviously be as healthy as you can, but don't be too hard on yourself. <em>edited by Bisha on 15/05/2011</em>
2782
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 15 May 2011 - 16:29
Go to your Dr and get tested for toxoplasmosis so that if you are already immune you don't go crazy trying to avoid cats and gardening throughout your pregnancy. If you have a good diet the only thing you need to take is folic acid, best to take for a couple of months preconception and then the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, prenatal vitamins tend to have lots of iron which can be horribly constipating so you don't want to take them if you don't need to. Sign up to the babycente website and try and avoid any other online pregnancy research, its all worst case scenarios and terribly discouraging. If you are on schedule (i.e want to be pregnant ASAP) then you could figure out when you are ovulating, otherwise just lots of babydancing between around 10-15 days after the start of a period. good luck :)
341
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 15 May 2011 - 14:45
Acid folic is very important, also go to the gyn to get checked fro rubeola, etc. she/he will tell you the best way to get ready.
205
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 15 May 2011 - 14:16
Woohoo, me too! I posted a similar question recently: http://www.expatwoman.com/forum/messages.aspx?TopicID=145403 Have a read, as everyone had a lot of helpful suggestions. Congrats :)
 
 

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