After sharing in part 1 about exercise regimes and habits to avoid good health during pregnancy, aFamilyToday Health continues to share with you the tests, vaccines and supplements that you should use. This will help you to be in the best shape for a woman's sacred duty.
In order to prepare for a perfect pregnancy, mothers need to perform a number of prenatal tests under the prescription of a doctor, including:
Screening for sexually transmitted diseases
If you have ever had unprotected sex (including oral sex), you are more likely to get sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) even if you don't have any symptoms. Come on. You should be checked for the following diseases:
Hepatitis B disease;
Chlamydia;
Syphilis;
HIV.
Treating sexually transmitted diseases before conception will help your conception rate be successful significantly.
Test of the cervix
You should have a cervical exam before you want to have a baby. If a cervical test is performed during pregnancy, the cervix does not contract frequently during pregnancy, making it difficult for a doctor to analyze the results.
Blood tests
If you have seen a doctor before you become pregnant and your doctor or nurse says you have anemia, you need to take an extra iron supplement during pregnancy.
Depending on your family background and your medical history, you will also need to be tested for genetic diseases such as sickle cell disease or thalassemia. These tests tell you how to avoid getting these genetic diseases.
If you do not know if you are immune to rubella or not, you should have a blood test to see the condition more clearly.
Many infections can cause birth defects or miscarriages, so make sure you are fully vaccinated.
You should have a blood test to find out if you have been immunized against diseases like rubella . If you must be vaccinated with a live virus vaccine like rubella, you should wait a month after the vaccination before you can conceive. This is a preventative measure because your body takes time to release antibodies. Tell your doctor if you have any concerns.
If you are at high risk for hepatitis B, you should choose to get the vaccine. When you have a blood test and find out if you already have antibodies, you may not need to be vaccinated.
As soon as you decide to have a baby, take 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid daily. Taking folic acid has the potential to reduce your child's nerve defects like spina bifida.
It is very important to get enough folic acid during the first few weeks of pregnancy. This is the stage when the fetal brain and nervous system are developing. You may not have realized that you are pregnant in the early weeks of pregnancy, so it's best to start taking folic acid as soon as you want to have a baby.
You can buy folic acid supplements at pharmacies. If you choose a multivitamin, see if the ingredient contains folic acid or not, and it should not contain vitamin A because too much vitamin A can harm your unborn baby.
Some people need more folic acid than others. You should consult your doctor for a prescription for every 5 mg (5000 mcg) supplement if:
Your family has a history of neural tube defect;
Have you ever had a baby with a nerve defect;
Have diabetes;
Have Celiac disease;
Take epilepsy medicine;
Have a BMI above 30.
During pregnancy, you need to get an extra 10 mcg of vitamin D daily.
While thinking about how you can get ready for this exciting journey, you should also look for ways to lead a healthier lifestyle. Remember, if you had a healthy body before pregnancy, your little angel will be happy to be born.
Prenatal vitamins can worsen nausea, especially on an empty stomach. Learn practical timing and food adjustments, safer options to discuss, and when to call your pregnancy care team.
Nighttime leg cramps are common in pregnancy, but their exact cause is often unclear. Learn likely contributors, safe relief steps, and warning signs that need prompt care.
Pack a small hospital bag with the essentials, protect important medical aids, and check which items your hospital provides or restricts.
Learn when pregnancy swelling can wait for routine discussion, when to call maternity care the same day, and which symptoms need emergency help now.
Ease pregnancy heartburn with smaller meals, smart timing, and pregnancy-aware medication advice—without cutting nutritious foods or skipping prenatal supplements.
Help older children adjust to a new baby with honest, age-appropriate conversations, optional ways to join in, steady routines, and space for mixed feelings.
Try pregnancy-safe pillow positioning and gentle turning strategies for hip pain at night, and learn when persistent pain or other symptoms need medical care.
Morning sickness can ease and return as pregnancy symptoms fluctuate. Learn common triggers, practical steps, and when nausea or vomiting needs medical attention.
Fetal movement can feel different as pregnancy progresses, but a clear change in your baby’s usual pattern needs prompt attention. Learn what may affect what you feel and when to call.
Build a flexible birth plan by comparing pain relief, birth setting, support, and newborn care—and writing backup preferences for an unpredictable labor.
