Thinking about having a baby or already trying to get pregnant? It’s never too early to start getting ready. Experts agree being well-informed and adopting healthy lifestyle habits prior to pregnancy is one of the smartest things you can do. 

Even if you’ve been pregnant before, check out our Top 10 Pregnancy Prep Tips to make sure you’re not missing anything. 

1. Talk with your doctor 

Before getting pregnant, talk to your doctor first. Your doctor will ask you about your health history, medications you are taking and previous pregnancy problems you may have experienced. They’ll let you know if you need any vaccines or if you should make some lifestyle changes prior to pregnancy. 

2. Stop drinking alcohol, smoking and using certain drugs 

Drinking alcohol, smoking and using certain drugs is not the way to prep your body for pregnancy. Not only are they bad for you, they put your unborn baby at risk for birth defects and premature birth. Need help breaking a habit? Ask your doctor for resources and advice. 

3. Take folic acid every day 

Experts recommend you take 400 micrograms of folic acid at least one month before becoming pregnant and at least one month during pregnancy. Doing so greatly reduces the risk your baby will be born with brain or spinal birth defects. 

4. Avoid toxic substances  

Before and during pregnancy, avoid toxic substances like fertilizer, synthetic chemicals, bug spray and rodent feces. If you have a cat, don’t clean the litterbox yourself either. Exposure to toxic substances is not only dangerous, it can make it hard to become pregnant.  

5. Maintain a healthy weight 

Being either underweight or overweight can cause problems. If you’re obese, it’s harder to great pregnant, plus you’re more likely to miscarry or experience stillbirth. If you’re underweight, there’s a greater chance your baby will be born premature or a low birth weight. 

6. Get help if you’re experiencing violence 

Domestic violence not only is wrong and puts you at risk – your unborn baby could be injured, too, or worse. If you need help, talk confidentially to your doctor, or call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800.799.SAFE (7233).  

7. Address any existing health issues 

Certain health problems can potentially get worse when you are pregnant. If you have any pre-existing health issues, such as asthma or diabetes, you should talk to your doctor before getting pregnant to discuss how these things might affect you or your unborn baby.  

8. Get mentally strong 

Stress, sadness and depression take their toll mentally, and they’re also not good for your physical health. So, if you’re planning to become pregnant and these issues are a concern for you, talk to your doctor about care or treatment options that are available to you. 

9. Cut out the caffeine 

If you drink more than two cups of coffee or five cans of caffeinated soda a day you could have a harder time getting pregnant – and a have greater chance of miscarriage. The obvious choice is water – not only is it one of the healthiest options, it’s also free. 

10. Start – or keep – exercising 

Exercising before pregnancy supports your body and can help it handle the changes that you will go through during pregnancy and birth. If you already exercise moderately, you should be able to continue with strength and aerobic exercise. If you haven’t exercised, you should add exercise into your habits more gradually. 

Sources: 

https://www.cdc.gov/pregnancy/ 

https://www.thehotline.org/ 

https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/committee-opinion/articles/2020/04/physical-activity-and-exercise-during-pregnancy-and-the-postpartum-period 

Even if you’ve been pregnant before, check out our Top 10 Pregnancy Prep Tips to make sure you’re not missing anything. 

Summer picnics, Thanksgiving dinner or weekend dinner parties entail a lot of food preparation amid the excitement of eating an assortment of cuisine. Did you know that an estimated one in six Americans get sick from food poisoning each year? According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), following four simple steps at home can prevent a bad ending to an otherwise good meal.  

How do you prevent food poisoning? 

Some foods are more associated with foodborne illnesses and food poisoning. Raw or undercooked meat and poultry, raw or lightly cooked eggs, unpasteurized (raw) milk and raw shellfish are the most likely to be contaminated. They can carry harmful germs that can make you sick. Basic kitchen rules – clean, separate, cook and chill – can help protect you and your loved ones from food poisoning. 

Clean: wash hands, utensils and surfaces often. Germs that can make you sick can survive in many places around your kitchen, including your food, hands, utensils, cutting boards and countertops. Use hot, soapy water to thoroughly wash your hands, plates and any other surface that comes into contact with raw meat, poultry, seafood, eggs or flour. 

Separate: avoid cross-contamination. Use a separate cutting board for raw meat and another for produce. 

Cook: food is safely cooked when the internal temperature is high enough to kill germs that can make you sick. Package directions provide the recommended temperature, so use your food thermometer to ensure you're in the safety zone and ensure food is thoroughly cooked.   

Chill: refrigerate perishable foods after two hours. If it has been exposed to temperatures of 90°F (like a hot car or summer picnic), then refrigerate it within 1 hour. Refrigerate leftovers promptly to allow for quick cooling.  

When to see a doctor for food poisoning 

Food poisoning symptoms can be anywhere from mild to very serious. If you swallow contaminated food or drink, it may take hours or days to develop symptoms. Food poisoning symptoms include diarrhea or vomiting.  

“There are a lot of steps from farm to table,” said Deanna Holdren, D.O., New Concord Family Practice. "Cooking foods thoroughly and storing them appropriately are easy ways to prevent food poisoning."  

See your doctor or healthcare provider if you have symptoms that are severe or persist.  

Summer picnics, Thanksgiving dinner or weekend dinner parties entail a lot of food preparation amid the excitement of eating an assortment of cuisine. Did you know that an estimated one in six Americans get sick from food poisoning each year?

Home is a refuge to feel safe and comfortable. However, it is easy to overlook cleaning certain items often enough to keep your home safe. Learn more by taking our quiz below.

Home is a refuge to feel safe and comfortable. However, it is easy to overlook cleaning certain items often enough to keep your home safe.

How well do you know the effects smoking has on your body? Take this quiz to find out.

How well do you know the effects smoking has on your body? Take this quiz to find out.

This sorbet is light, refreshing and healthy as cherries are packed with nutrients and are rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds. They also contain melatonin, which may improve sleep quality. Watch the video and get the recipe below.

This sorbet is light, refreshing and healthy as cherries are packed with nutrients and are rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds. They also contain melatonin, which may improve sleep quality.

Everyone will love this easy, one-pot pasta dinner. It is simple, fresh and healthy.

Everyone will love this easy, one-pot pasta dinner. It is simple, fresh and healthy.

When it comes to health claims, how do we separate fact from fiction? Realize that what may be a “myth” for some, may be a “fact” for you, and vice versa. Here are some common health myths deciphered. 

Myth: Do only one thing. 

Don’t believe everything you read online or see on TV regarding health claims. If you have a question about what’s best for you and your health, talk to your healthcare provider to get the most accurate information. 

Myth: Stay away from gluten to improve your diet. 

Fact: Gluten-free doesn’t necessarily mean it’s healthier. If you have a gluten-related disorder, such as celiac disease or gluten intolerance, you should avoid gluten because it can cause an adverse reaction that can lead to serious health problems.  

For the average, healthy individual, going gluten-free is not the key to health. Instead, it’s your overall food choices that can help determine how healthy you are. 

Myth: You need to take a daily multivitamin to be healthy. 

Fact: For most people, the best way to get the nutrients you need is to eat a healthy diet. We have been told that multivitamins can supply nutrients that aren’t in your diet, but that may not be necessary for everyone. To lower the risk of birth defects, pregnant women should take folic acid. Postmenopausal women and vegetarians may need to supplement their diets with a multivitamin. Talk to your healthcare provider about whether taking a multivitamin is right for you. 

Myth: Green Mucus=Infection=You need an antibiotic 

Fact: Only a lab test can determine infection. While it’s true that green or yellow mucus can indicate a bacterial infection, it’s not a sure sign, and it certainly doesn’t mean that you should begin taking antibiotics. 

If you’re not sure if it’s a common cold or an infection that may require an antibiotic, contact your healthcare provider. 

Myth: I don’t want to get a flu shot because it will give me the flu. 

Fact: You won’t get the flu from getting a shot. “The commonly used injectable flu vaccines are either inactivated virus or not virus at all,” said Jignesh J. Modi, M.D., fellowship-trained, Genesis Infection Diseases Specialists. 

“The commonly used injectable flu vaccines are either inactivated virus or not virus at all”

 However, you may get some side effects, such as low-grade fever, headache or muscle aches or soreness, redness, or swelling where the shot was given. These side effects are not actually the flu and typically go away quickly.  

When it comes to health claims, how do we separate fact from fiction? Realize that what may be a “myth” for some, may be a “fact” for you, and vice versa.

Most people describe 66-year-old Ken Williams of Zanesville as one of the most active people they know. However, he
noticed changes when he was working out at the gym.

Is a plant-based diet the best method to lose weight and improve overall health? Let’s find out how much we really know about vegetarianism and veganism! Take the quiz to find out.

Is a plant-based diet the best method to lose weight and improve overall health? Let’s find out how much we really know about vegetarianism and veganism!