BEFORE you TTC...

TTC soon and I'm concerned because I want to get my health and my body in the best shape possible to help increase the chances of a healthy pregnancy/baby...

What worries me is that the NON-TTC me has a long history of doing unhealthy things that the TTC me has to work hard to undo now lol ... (such as smoking, drinking, caffeine, skipping breakfast and meals altogether on a daily basis, eating crap food, being overweight, stressing alot, not going to the doctor regularly, etc)...

Did anyone else go through this and what did you do to "gear" your body/health for TTC/pregnancy? I literally lose sleep over worrying that I'll have an unhealthy baby due to my selfishness pre-TTC

Looking for all the help/tips I can get on this topic as I start this journey...


Thanks!

Re: BEFORE you TTC...

I wouldn't stress yourself out over this (I think the stress can sometimes be more detrimental than a lot of these things). I think the most important thing is that you do not do these things while pregnant, not as much what you did before your BFP. I've always been a healthy eater and exerciser, but I drank more than I should and socially smoked. Once I decided to TTC, I stopped the cigs and cut back on my drinking (but didn't cut it out).
As far as weight and exercise, it's great if you can start getting yourself as healthy as you can be NOW. It's never too late. The body is extremely resilient. But I also know a lot women who are overweight and have gone on to have perfectly healthy babies. They just had to listen to their doctors as far as how much weight to gain during pregnancy.

The most important thing is taking vitamins with extra folic acid (most of us take OTC prenatals). If you're not doing that yet, I'd start today.

Re: BEFORE you TTC...

I quit smoking after about 10 years of on and off, last July. I also think most of us here have a history of some type of drinking behavior.

I felt the same as you about wanting to get into great shape before TTC mostly because my whole life I have been very thin and never had any issues with weight. I sporadicly went to the gym, but never adopted a really healthy lifestyle of excercise and diet. Since quitting smoking, I've put on about 10 pounds and although I am still ok for my height, I'm just not comfortable in my own skin KWIM? DH and I have been getting into much better eating habits and also exercising regularly though not vigorously.

Basically, what I'm trying to say is that I think you are fine and at least you are taking the right steps to being a healthier you . I would start by visiting your doctor and discussing that you want to TTC, and he/she can tell you what sort of things might be too stressful on your body.

HTH and GL