Teton Obgyn Idaho Falls
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Our Physicians
    • What Our Patients Say
  • Contact
  • Our Services & Treatments
    • Obstetrics
    • Office Gynecology
    • Advanced Gyn Surgery
  • FAQs
    • Pregnancy FAQ
    • Gynecology FAQ
    • Surgery FAQ
  • Blog
  • Patient Resources
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Our Physicians
    • What Our Patients Say
  • Contact
  • Our Services & Treatments
    • Obstetrics
    • Office Gynecology
    • Advanced Gyn Surgery
  • FAQs
    • Pregnancy FAQ
    • Gynecology FAQ
    • Surgery FAQ
  • Blog
  • Patient Resources

10 Things You Can Do Before Pregnancy for a Healthier Baby

5/15/2025

0 Comments

 
Picture

Hey, future mama (or just thinking about it?) First off,
congrats! Whether you’re totally ready to dive into baby-making or you’re just dipping your toes into the idea, prepping your body (and mind) for pregnancy is a pretty amazing act of love for that little human you’re planning to bring into the world.


You’ve probably already Googled a million things and maybe even overwhelmed yourself with advice from everyone: your mom, your friends, your barista (yep, even they have opinions!). But don’t worry. Let’s cut through the noise and talk about ten real, doable things you can start doing now to boost your chances of having a healthy pregnancy and, more importantly, a healthy baby.
​

This isn’t about perfection. It’s about preparation. So grab a cozy drink, kick up your feet, and let’s chat.

1. Start Taking a Prenatal Vitamin (Yes, Before You're Pregnant)

Okay, this one’s a biggie. You’ve probably heard about folic acid being super important during pregnancy and it is but what a lot of people don’t know is that it’s even more important before you get pregnant.

Folic acid helps prevent neural tube defects, which happen in the first few weeks of pregnancy often before you even know you’re expecting. A good prenatal vitamin also gives you a head start on getting enough iron, vitamin D, and other essentials.

Pro tip: Not all prenatal vitamins are created equal. Look for one with at least 400 mcg of folic acid, some choline, and ideally methylated folate if you’ve got the MTHFR gene mutation (something a simple genetic test can show).

2. Clean Up Your Diet (No, You Don’t Need to Be Perfect)

Let’s be honest no one’s eating kale smoothies and chia seeds every day. But making some consistent changes to your diet can make a huge difference when it comes to fertility and baby health.
Try this:
  • Add more fruits, veggies, whole grains, and healthy fats.


  • Cut back on ultra-processed foods, sugary drinks, and junky snacks.


  • Focus on color: The more colorful your plate (naturally, not from food dyes), the more nutrients you’re likely getting.


And yep, it’s still okay to eat chocolate. Just try to make it the dark kind sometimes.

3. Get Off Birth Control (And Give Your Body a Little Time)

If you’ve been using hormonal birth control, like the pill or IUD, it might take a little time for your cycle to get back to its natural rhythm. Everybody is different, some people get their period back right away, and for others, it can take a few months.

It’s not just about getting your period, though. It’s also about making sure you’re ovulating and your hormones are doing their monthly dance properly. So don’t stress if things don’t bounce back overnight just be patient and give your body some grace.

4. Ditch the Toxins (Yep, Even the Sneaky Ones)

This doesn’t mean you have to go full crunchy and throw out everything you own but it is a good time to look at what’s in your environment.

Start here:
  • Switch to non-toxic cleaning products.


  • Check your skincare and makeup to avoid parabens, phthalates, and synthetic fragrances.


  • Say goodbye to BPA. Use glass or stainless steel instead of plastic when you can.


  • Get your air ducts cleaned (hello, air duct cleaning!) if you haven’t in years indoor air quality matters more than you’d think.

You don’t need to overhaul your life overnight. Just start small and swap out things little by little.

5. Schedule a Preconception Check-Up

Think of this as your baby prep appointment. Your doctor or midwife can check on your overall health, run some blood tests, and help you make sure your body’s in a good place for pregnancy.
Ask about:
  • Thyroid levels


  • Vitamin D status


  • Immunity to rubella and chickenpox


  • Genetic carrier screening (this one’s optional but helpful)

You can also chat about any meds you’re taking, even over-the-counter stuff and whether they’re safe for pregnancy.

6. Manage Stress (Because Baby Feels It Too)

Look, life is stressful. That’s not going to change just because you’re thinking about a baby. But managing your stress in a healthy way is a big deal for fertility and overall wellbeing.

When stress levels are constantly high, your body can pump out more cortisol, which can throw off your hormones and your cycle.

So what can you do?
  • Move your body: walks, dance, yoga whatever feels good


  • Try journaling or meditation (there are a ton of free apps)


  • Say no to things that drain you


  • Make time for joy seriously, even just 10 minutes of something fun

Creating a calm(ish) space now makes it easier to keep your cool when pregnancy (and later, baby) throws chaos your way.

7. Check Your (and Your Partner’s) Fertility

This doesn’t mean running out and doing expensive IVF consults or panicking. But it can be helpful to get a basic picture of your fertility, especially if you’re over 30 or have irregular cycles.

You might want to:
  • Track your cycle for a few months (apps like Flo or Natural Cycles can help).


  • Look into at-home hormone tests like AMH or ovulation kits.


  • Consider a sperm analysis for your partner male factor infertility accounts for around half of all fertility struggles, but it’s rarely talked about!

Knowledge is power. The sooner you know what’s up, the more time you have to work on it naturally or with help.

8. Get Moving (But Don't Overdo It)

Exercise is awesome for so many reasons. It boosts your mood, helps regulate your cycle, improves insulin sensitivity, and preps your body for the marathon of pregnancy and labor.

But here’s the catch: more isn’t always better.

If you’re doing intense workouts every day (like CrossFit or long-distance running), it might actually make conception harder. Too much stress on the body can mess with ovulation.

So aim for that sweet spot:
  • Moderate workouts like walking, swimming, or yoga.


  • Strength training a couple of times a week.


  • Some stretching and mobility work (your pregnant body will thank you later!).

Most importantly: find something you enjoy, so you’ll actually stick with it.

9. Focus on Sleep (Seriously - It Matters)

We totally underestimate how important sleep is. But when you’re trying to get pregnant, your sleep quality can influence your hormones, your energy, your metabolism… pretty much everything.

If you’re not sleeping well, your body sees that as a red flag like, hey, now’s not a good time to have a baby. So if your sleep's been off, it's time to show it some love.

Try this:
  • Stick to a consistent bedtime.


  • Limit screens an hour before bed (blue light messes with melatonin).


  • Make your bedroom cozy, cool, dark, and quiet.


  • Cut back on caffeine after 2pm.

If insomnia is a thing for you, talk to your doctor about safe natural options like magnesium or melatonin.

10. Have the Tough Conversations With Your Partner

Alright, so this one’s not about your body but it’s just as important.

Before you bring a tiny human into the mix, it’s a good idea to sit down with your partner and talk through the stuff that’ll eventually come up anyway:
  • How will you split baby duties?


  • What are your thoughts on parenting styles?


  • Finances are you both on the same page?


  • How will you handle sleep, visitors, childcare, etc.?

You don’t need a full blueprint, but getting aligned now makes things smoother when the baby arrives. It’s also a great way to build connections and strengthen your partnership.

Oh, and don’t forget to talk about sex! Pregnancy and postpartum can be a rollercoaster, and open communication helps big time.

Bonus: Trust Yourself and Ditch the Guilt

This one’s more of a reminder than a tip: You don’t have to get everything perfect.

Some days you’ll eat kale, some days it’ll be frozen pizza. Some weeks you’ll be all zen with your yoga mat, others you’ll binge reality TV and forget your supplements.

And guess what? That’s totally fine.

Preparing for a baby isn’t about doing everything “right.” It’s about doing the best you can and knowing that you’re already showing up with so much love and intention. That matters more than any checklist.

So be kind to yourself. Take breaks. Celebrate the little wins.

Final Thoughts (But No “In Conclusion,” Promise

Deciding to have a baby is such a beautiful, vulnerable, wild decision. And choosing to take care of yourself first? That’s powerful.

Whether it’s cleaning up your diet, getting more sleep, tackling stress, or just making time to dream about your future every step you take now helps build a healthier, happier start for your baby. You’ve got this.

And if you ever feel overwhelmed or unsure, just take a deep breath and remember: you’re already doing one of the most important things, caring.

0 Comments

Put Your Body Back on the Calendar: A Realistic Health Guide for Women

5/6/2025

0 Comments

 
Picture
Life has a way of piling up. Meetings become marathons, meals are microwaved, and rest often takes a backseat to the ever-spinning wheel of to-dos. But what if tending to your health didn’t require an overhaul? What if, instead, it was about small shifts that stitched themselves into your day like a well-loved cardigan? That’s what this is—an invitation to rethink your relationship with your body from the crown of your head to the soles of your feet, not through rigid rules, but through sustainable rituals that actually fit into your life.

Keeping Your Head in the Game (Gently)
 
Mental clutter is sneaky. It creeps in during traffic jams and grocery lines and festers under the weight of a hundred open browser tabs. You don’t need a silent retreat in the Berkshires to reclaim a little peace. Start small. Five minutes of quiet before the day begins—no phone, no agenda—can act as a neurological reset. Meditation isn’t the only answer. Mindful dishwashing, slow walks without podcasts, or even journaling before bed can shift the pace. The trick is consistency over perfection.

Work That Works for You
​

There’s no separating career contentment from your broader sense of wellness—when you feel stagnant, overlooked, or misaligned in your work, it trickles into everything else. That’s why many women are choosing to go back to school, not out of obligation, but as an act of agency, reimagining their careers in ways that honor their values and talents. You can choose from an array of accredited online programs; for example, you can easily find an accredited online healthcare administration program if you’re drawn to the organizational side of the healthcare field. Whatever direction you go, online learning makes it possible to pursue something better without putting your entire life on hold.

Eyes Off the Screens (At Least Sometimes)
 
Yes, this again. But if you're feeling fried by 3 p.m. and your eyes sting like you’ve been cutting onions with regret, it’s not in your head. Blue light and screen fatigue are real. The 20-20-20 rule helps (every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds), but so does learning to not default to screens during downtime. Grab a novel. Flip through a real magazine. Write a letter—on actual paper. Your eyes and your nervous system will thank you.

A Mouth That Moves, Nourishes, and Laughs
 
There’s a strange cultural divide between food as fuel and food as joy. You don’t need to pick sides. When you can, cook with color and crunch—vegetables, yes, but also variety. Make hydration less boring with mint or citrus slices tossed in your water. Talk more too. Not the performative kind of talking that social media encourages, but the belly-laughs-over-coffee kind. Emotional digestion matters just as much as physical digestion. Your gut knows the difference.

Heart Health Isn’t Just About Cardio
 
We talk about broken hearts as if they’re metaphors, but emotional stress really does wear down your cardiovascular system. This isn’t to say that a brisk walk doesn’t work wonders—it does—but don’t underestimate the power of boundary-setting, genuine connection, and adequate rest. Your heart is both a muscle and a meter. Pay attention to what raises your pulse for the wrong reasons. Then recalibrate. Sometimes, cardio is saying no without explaining yourself.

Trusting and Tuning Into Your Core
 
Your core isn’t just for planks and pilates. It’s also your center of gravity—physically, yes, but also emotionally. Think of it as your internal compass. Are you feeling off? Bloated? Unmotivated? Often, your core is the first place to signal imbalance. You don’t need six-pack abs to have a strong core; you need daily movement, regular breathing, and time away from the stress that shortens your breath. Yoga, deep belly laughs, or even dancing in your kitchen can help you re-center.

Investing in Reproductive Wellness Without Shame
 
Too many women delay, avoid, or silently suffer through reproductive health concerns. The stigma, the scheduling headaches, the gaslighting—it all adds up. But quality care exists, and it’s worth seeking out, not just when something feels wrong. Annual visits with a provider you trust can make all the difference. Places like Teton OBGYN are committed to personalized care that respects your time, your questions, and your body’s rhythms. Don't wait for a crisis. Your body deserves proactive care, not just reactive treatment.

Feet on the Ground, Literally and Metaphorically
 
If you’ve been feeling untethered, there’s a good chance your feet are involved. Modern footwear, sedentary habits, and concrete-heavy environments disconnect us from our own foundation. You don’t need to go full barefoot-on-the-earth, but a little attention to your arches, your posture, and your steps can reorient your entire system. Stretch them in the morning. Walk slowly, intentionally, and whenever you can, outdoors. These aren’t just physical motions—they’re quiet declarations that you are here, present, and rooted.

The Quiet Luxury of Restorative Sleep
 
You already know you need more sleep. But beyond quantity, quality is the secret sauce. If you’re waking up more tired than you went to bed, something’s off. Cut caffeine after 2 p.m. Create a ritual, not just a routine. That might mean a hot shower, a real book, and no phone within reach of your pillow. Don’t let sleep be the sacrificial lamb to your productivity. It’s the cornerstone of everything else on this list.

There’s a rhythm to your body that doesn’t always sync with the noise around you. Health isn’t about optimizing every second or tracking every macro—it’s about tuning in. Listening when your shoulders tighten. Pausing when your thoughts race. Taking that first sip of water like it actually matters. You don’t have to overhaul your life. You just have to return to yourself, one body part at a time.
 
Discover comprehensive care and expert guidance at Teton Women’s Health Center, where your health and well-being are our top priority!
0 Comments
    Call Us

    Teton Women's 

    We address the topics you need to know about regarding pregnancy and women's health issues.

    Categories

    All
    Babies
    Breast Feeding
    Contraception
    Cord Blood Banking
    Delayed Cord Clamping
    Diet And Exercise
    Diet And Exercise In Pregnancy
    First Trimester
    Genetic Screening
    Guest Blogs
    Gynecologic Surgery
    Health And Fitness
    Hormones
    Induction Of Labor
    Infertility
    Just For Fun
    Menopause
    Overview Of Pregnancy
    Ovulation Prediction
    Pain Management In Labor
    Pap Smear
    Postpartum Depression
    Pregnancy Planning
    Second Trimester
    Sexual Health
    Sleep
    Vaginal Discharge
    Women's Health
    Zika Virus

    Archives

    May 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    February 2023
    August 2022
    July 2022
    May 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016

    RSS Feed

Location

GET DIRECTIONS!
Teton Women's Health Center

2001 S Woodruff Ave #10
Idaho Falls, ID 83404









​Sitemap

Contact Us

Tel: 208-523-2060
​Fax: 208-523-9874

Office Hours

Mon - Thurs: 8:00 am - 12:00 pm & 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Fri - 8:00 am - 12:00 pm

Be sure to follow us on social media for the latest updates at Teton Women's Health Center!

**While we are excited to answer your questions, please be aware that the links below are not intended to provide urgent or emergent medical advice.  Thank you!