With so many available choices, women can easily delay their time to conceive. In the past, women got pregnant as early as their late teens and early 20s. Nowadays, marrying in your late 20s and conceiving sometime after that age is perfectly acceptable.
Nevertheless, no matter how old you are and if you are considering having a child. Here are some factors to consider first before getting pregnant:
1. Check if your health is in order. It's essential to see if your body is physically capable of undergoing the stages of pregnancy. One way to ensure your physical health is to schedule a preconception appointment. During this appointment, your doctor will review your health history, evaluate potential risks, and advise you on how to have a healthy pregnancy.
2. Get your finances in order. Learning to budget for a baby is a lifelong commitment. So, before you start a family, here are some things to consider:
- Look for insurance companies that offer prenatal coverage;
- Research the costs of prenatal services in your area;
- Check if your workplace provides family medical leaves;
- The price of childcare services
3. Gain healthy habits. Right now, is the best time to quit if you have vices like smoking and drinking. As you may know, smoking and drinking during pregnancy can lead to many congenital disabilities that could potentially harm your baby. Additionally, consider taking vitamins like Folic Acid, which encourages healthy fetal development. You can also start exercising regularly to keep your body in tip-top shape.
4. Research on family health history. You and your family's health history record any health conditions that you, your partner, and close family members have had. Learning about your shared family health history enables you to prepare for your child's potential health risks.
5. Learn what kind of parent you want to be. Parenting is a lifelong commitment that requires discipline and patience. Before you consider conceiving a child, it helps to understand what parenting style you'd wish to practice to rear your child. During this step, it also helps to involve your partner in the decision so you two can work cohesively as a unit.
Choosing to conceive is a life-changing decision that requires careful planning. Once you do decide to get pregnant, remember to have at least a plan on how you would like to raise your child later in life. If you and your partner are ready to handle the responsibilities, then get ready to embrace the journey of parenthood.
good advice
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