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.
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.
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)
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
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!
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!).
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.
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.?
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.