Thinking about having a baby
Are you thinking about having a baby and looking for expert advice? You’re very welcome for a preconception appointment. During this visit, we’ll discuss all the key topics related to getting pregnant in a healthy way.
A great start for your baby begins even before pregnancy. That’s why we recommend adopting a healthy lifestyle that supports both your own wellbeing and that of your future child. It can even increase your chances of conceiving more quickly.
Taking folic acid
Folic acid is important for the development of your baby’s nervous system, which begins in the first weeks of pregnancy. It helps prevent severe conditions such as a spinal birth defect (spina bifida) or brain abnormalities.
We recommend to start taking folic acid four weeks before you stop using contraception. This ensures your body has enough folic acid once you become pregnant. Have you already stopped using contraception? It’s still helpful to take folic acid. You can buy it at the pharmacy and the advised dose is one tablet (400 micrograms) a day.
We recommend continuing to take folic acid until the 11th week of pregnancy.
Quitting smoking, alcohol and drugs
It’s important to stop smoking, drinking alcohol, and using drugs before you become pregnant. These substances can cause serious problems during pregnancy, such as miscarriage, birth defects, growth restriction fort he baby or an ectopic pregnancy. Stopping their use can increase your chances of conceiving. It also improves sperm quality, making your partner more fertile.
Smoking during pregnancy increases the risk of complications such as premature birth, low birth weight, birth defects, and even fetal death. In the Netherlands, between 20 and 30 babies die each year because their mother smoked during pregnancy. Every day, 28 babies are born who have already been exposed to the harmful substances in tobacco while in the womb.
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Healthy lifestyle
Having a healthy lifestyle can increase your chances of becoming pregnant, this applies to both partners. Lifestyle factors can affect ovulation as well as sperm quality.
A healthy lifestyle includes:
- Avoiding drugs, alcohol, and smoking.
- Having a balanced and varied diet.
- Getting enough physical activity.
- Maintaining a healthy weight.
- Ensuring adequate rest and sleep.
- Managing stress.
More information about healthy eating before and during pregnancy can be found on this website: voedingscentrum.
With the free ZwangerHap app, you can quickly and easily check whether a product is safe to eat.
Being either overweight and underweight can reduce your chances of becoming pregnant. If you weight is too high or too low, trying to reach a healthy weight through proper nutrition and regular physical activity can help. A dietitian can provide guidance if needed. Restricting food intake to lose weight once you are pregnant is not recommended.
Medication
Are you taking medication and planning to become pregnant? Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about whether you can continue taking your medication when trying to get pregnant. You may be able to switch temporarily to a safer alternative. Never stop taking medication suddenly—always do so under the guidance of your treating healthcare professional.
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