Adjusting lifestyle habits: laying a solid foundation for a new life
Adjusting lifestyle habits is crucial during the preparation stage for pregnancy. Both husband and wife should quit smoking and drinking. Nicotine and alcohol in cigarettes can cause damage to reproductive cells, reduce the chances of conception, and may also affect the healthy development of the fetus. Ensure 7-8 hours of sufficient sleep every day. Good sleep helps to repair various organs in the body and promote normal hormone secretion, creating favorable conditions for conception.
Regular exercise is also essential. Engaging in at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity aerobic exercise per week, such as brisk walking, jogging, swimming, etc., can enhance cardiovascular function and improve the body's immunity. Meanwhile, appropriate strength training, such as simple postures in yoga, can help maintain muscle mass and improve the body's metabolic level.
Source: "Report on Nutrition and Chronic Disease Status of Chinese Residents (2020)", which elaborates on the relationship between lifestyle habits and health.
Nutritional supplementation: the best 'gift' for future babies
Nutritional supplementation during the early stages of pregnancy is a crucial step in scientific preparation for pregnancy. Women should start supplementing folic acid from 3 months before pregnancy, as folic acid can effectively prevent fetal neural tube defects. Daily intake of 0.4-0.8 milligrams of folic acid can be obtained through folic acid tablets or foods rich in folic acid, such as green leafy vegetables, beans, whole wheat products, etc.
In addition to folic acid, other nutrients are also essential. Protein is an important component of cells and plays a crucial role in the development and repair of reproductive cells. It is recommended to consume foods rich in high-quality protein, such as lean meat, fish, eggs, dairy products, etc. Minerals such as calcium, iron, and zinc are crucial for fetal bone development, hematopoietic function, and intellectual development. They can be supplemented by consuming foods such as milk, soy products, animal liver, and seafood.
Source: "Chinese Dietary Guidelines for Residents (2022)", which provides detailed information on nutritional needs during pregnancy and preparation for pregnancy.
Pre pregnancy examination: escorting a healthy pregnancy
Pre pregnancy examination is an important step in ensuring the health of both mother and baby. Women need to undergo comprehensive gynecological examinations, including routine vaginal discharge, cervical smear, gynecological ultrasound, etc., to understand the health status of the reproductive system and check for gynecological diseases such as vaginitis, cervicitis, uterine fibroids, etc., which may affect conception or lead to complications during pregnancy.
Men need to undergo semen examination to understand indicators such as sperm quantity, vitality, and morphology, in order to evaluate fertility. In addition, both husband and wife should also carry out infectious disease screening, such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, syphilis, AIDS, etc., to avoid transmitting the disease to the fetus.
Source: The "Guidelines for Pre pregnancy and Pregnancy Health Care (2018)" published by the Obstetrics and Gynecology Branch of the Chinese Medical Association provides clear instructions on the items and significance of pre pregnancy examinations.