Getting Ready to Get Pregnant: How to Prep Your Body for Conception Naturally

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Ladies, have you ever found yourself daydreaming about the pitter-patter of little feet in your home? Are you considering expanding your family and bringing a new life into this world? I know I currently am, hence why I thought this is the time to write this pregnancy blog! hehe Or maybe you've been wondering how to prepare your body for pregnancy after 30?

Well whether you are 100% sure you want to get pregnant or maybe even thinking about trying to get pregnant in a couple months from now, this blog is for you!

We are chatting all about getting ready to get pregnant, including your diet and environment. Because ladies, the food we eat and the environments we live in are SOOO dang essential to our health! Especially when we're talking about creating a new life - it's like building a house and these are our bricks and mortar.

Hi, I’m Bailey Petrucelli, a Functional Nutritionist, mama, and wellness blogger, and I’m sharing how your nutrition and environment can be key in getting ready to get pregnant and help your body gear up for this amazing journey of becoming a mom!!! (You can read here about my past pregnancy experiences and why I am so passionate about family nutrition, family wellness and helping moms in getting ready to get pregnant).

We're also going to talk about nurturing not just ourselves, but our surroundings too, because guess what? Both are super important in giving your future kiddo the best start in life.

So grab your comfy blanket, maybe a warm cup of tea, and let's chat about how to prep your body and environment for pregnancy - the natural and loving way that you may not hear about from your OBGYN.

Why It's Important to Prepare Your Body in Getting Ready to Get Pregnant

I'm sure you've heard the phrase "you are what you eat," right? Well, this couldn’t be more true when it comes to preparing your body for pregnancy. It's ALL about creating the healthiest cells for the healthiest egg and the healthiest environment for your baby to grow over the next 9 months. UGH, isn’t the human body just stinking amazing? (And the women’s body at that…we are dang amazing, ladies!)

Every bite you take, every sip you drink, is not just about satisfying those pregnancy cravings (hello, pickles and ice cream!) but also about fueling that tiny miracle growing inside you.

Just think of folic acid (in the RIGHT form) is busy building DNA and RNA, essential for your baby's rapid cell growth. Skimping on it could lead to neural tube defects in your baby.

Omega-3 fatty acids, found in yummy foods like salmon and flaxseeds, help develop your baby's brain and eyes. Cutting corners on these crucial fats could affect your baby's cognitive and visual development, and we definitely don't want that, right?

And let's not forget iron, making hemoglobin, the protein that transports oxygen to tissues. When you're pregnant, you need more iron to not only supply your own body but also that of your growing baby and placenta. Besides, who wants to feel tired and out of breath because our blood volume isn’t increasing the way it should?

This idea, termed "fetal programming," is all about the powerful and lasting impact of good nutrition on your child's health, from the moment of conception and beyond. You’re prepping the foundation for your baby's life. Isn't it mind-blowing that our bodies can transform nutrients into life?!

But I want to say quickly, that if you have a surprise positive test and didn’t actively try to prep for pregnancy, please don’t freak out! You can take step right now to do the best for YOU and your baby. These tips are to just enhance your baby’s health and to optimize its wellness right from the beginning. I have 2 kiddos (as of now) and I didn’t prep for pregnancy and they are healthy as ever because of things I’m doing now. So its never too late in getting your body ready for pregnancy or optimizing your kiddos health, but the sooner the better!

Okay, so now let's celebrate and invest in nutrition during pregnancy, because it's all about crafting the best start for our little ones!

👉 Download Our Healthier Snack Guide! Perfect for healthier snacks during pregnancy!

The Impact of Toxins on Conception, Fertility, and Baby

Toxins are everywhere - in our food, in our environment, even in our home. They can seriously impact conception, fertility, and the health of your future baby. This is why it's important to embrace a proactive approach to wellness, know where toxins are hiding so you can avoid them so you’re ensuring you're well-equipped to nurture your health and that of your future family.

Toxins, including harmful chemicals and pollutants, are in our daily lives - present in the food we eat, the air we breathe, and even in our homes' furniture and paint. Research has shown these toxins can disrupt hormone functions, causing oxidative stress, and damaging DNA.

Take BPA, for example, a common toxin found in many plastic products we use every day, from water bottles to food containers. This chemical has been linked to fertility issues due to its ability to mimic estrogen, confusing our body's hormonal balance.

Similarly, consider air pollutants, which we may inadvertently be inhaling during our morning jog or even in our homes. These toxins can lead to oxidative stress, which is like a storm wreaking havoc on both egg and sperm health.

Given these potential threats, adopting a proactive approach to wellness is crucial. This means reducing toxin exposure by making conscious choices like opting for BPA-free products or improving air quality in your home with high quality air filters.

Bolstering your body's natural detoxification processes, such as drinking more water and consuming antioxidant-rich foods, can serve as your body's cleanup crew, repairing the damage caused by these toxins.

So, as you start getting ready to get pregnant, remember that every choice you make - from the water bottle you drink from to the air you breathe in your home - can impact your health and that of your future family.

Creating the Best Environment for Your Soon-To-Be Baby

I’m OBSESSED with the idea of creating the best environment for your soon-to-be baby. Like you're going to be growing a tiny human being in your own body for 9 MONTHS!! Not only do you need essential vitamins and minerals to keep YOU healthy and energized, but you are literally creating a human that needs nutrients to grow.

This means eating nutrient-dense foods, avoiding alcohol and marijuana, and starting to take a prenatal supplement now (3-6 months beforehand). This is how we create generational health for our family - focusing on family nutrition even BEFORE you have your tiny peanuts.

Avoiding Nutrient Deficiencies During Pregnancy

But it's not just about avoiding toxins - it's also about avoiding nutrient deficiencies. Did you know that nutrient deficiencies during pregnancy can have long-term effects on both the mother and the baby?

It can make postpartum more difficult (higher chance of depression (baby blues) and anxiety and brain fog) and makes it harder to bounce back and feel like yourself when your cells are running on E. That's why it's important to LOVEEEE your body and fuel it with the right nutrients.

10 Tips on Getting Ready to Get Pregnant

Now, let's talk about some practical strategies for integrating nutrient-dense foods into your daily meals. Here are my 10 tips for getting your body ready for pregnancy:

1. Stay Hydrated with LMNT Electrolytes

Water is essential for maintaining the health of the amniotic sac and aiding in the development of the placenta. I used to struggle with this one in my past pregnancies (but I found a hack!) Aim to drink at least 8-10 glasses of water a day. Or fill a big 32 oz Yeti or Stanley 3-4 times a day! And here’s the tip…Don't forget to include electrolytes, which help balance the fluids in your body! I have LMNT packets on Amazon subscription. I use these even when I’m not pregnant but LOVE them for pregnancy. There’s so many flavors to choose from (and even unflavored which is great when that first trimester hit…)

2. Increase Healthy Fats

Healthy fats, such as those found in avocados, fatty fish, and nuts, are crucial for your baby's brain development. Try to incorporate these foods into your diet regularly. I used to make homage guac every single day in my previous pregnancy haha. Avocado, cilantro, tomatoes, salt, garlic powder and curcumin. I also like to have my pantry stocked with different kinds of nuts (walnuts, Brazil nuts (great if you have thyroid issues), and almonds) and I will just take random handfuls throughout the day. I order these organic ones and I can gooood to go for a couple months.

Two pastured raised eggs on a bed of sautéed greens is my jam! SO good for conception and pregnancy! I also love Four Sigmatic mushroom “coffee”

3. Consume More Greens

Leafy green vegetables are packed with essential nutrients like calcium, iron, and folate that are vital for your baby's growth. Include a variety of spinach, kale, and broccoli in your meals. I started a garden and it was AMAZING for helping me eat ore greens. I literally have 2 bed dedicated to JUST greens (spinach, kale, romaine, butter crunch lettuce). I even have been juicing my greens because I have so much. Just be careful if you are going to juice when you are pregnant or are getting ready to get pregnant because you want to use ALL ORGANIC ingredients! If not, you could be making a concentrated drink of pesticides which you do not want. But if you have your own garden you know exactly what’s on them…hopefully NO SPRAY!

4. Avoid Alcohol and Marijuana

Both substances, alcohol and weed (yes even taking those weed gummies) can have negative effects on fetal development. It's best to eliminate these from your lifestyle as you prepare for pregnancy. I’m sitting both since I’m trying to prep my body for conception naturally. Alcohol never really sit well with me…like EVER (I mean, it IS a toxin to your body). But I do consume gummies once in a while…but that’s been put on hold for now.

5. Start Prenatal Vitamins Early

Prenatal vitamins are packed with essential nutrients like folic acid, which can prevent birth defects. Start taking these 3-6 months before conception to ensure your body is well-prepared. I personally use Metagenitics Plus One Prenatal supplements. They come in a pack.

6. Incorporate Regular Exercise

Regular physical activity can help prepare your body for the physical demands of pregnancy and labor. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise like walking or swimming most days of the week. I usually do mid day walks with my pup everyday (and sometimes my kiddos). This also helps with stress and allows me to be present. I love to do active date days like play tennis or go rock climbing. I also have picked up strength training for getting ready to get pregnant!! which I have been wanting to do for years now but never got too serious about it. I was more of a runner but now I’m really trying to focus on longevity and strength training for women is a must!

7. Minimize Exposure to Toxins

Toxins in your environment, such as certain cleaning products or pesticides, can negatively impact your fertility and the health of your future baby. Choose organic products when possible and ensure good ventilation in your home. I love Branch Basics home cleaning supplies, Osea Skincare (get 10% off your order!), and have multiple Molekule high quality air filters in my home and a Berkey water filter.

Gotta skip the coffee runs! But maybe grab a matcha instead!

8. Limit Caffeine

High amounts of caffeine can increase the risk of miscarriage. Try to limit your intake to no more than 200 mg per day, roughly the amount in one 12-ounce cup of coffee. Or transition to organic green tea! Lots of women can’t even drink coffee during the first trimester because it sounds gross to them. I know, hard to believe but this happened to me too!

9. Prioritize Sleep!

Adequate sleep is essential for hormone regulation and overall health. Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep per night. Consider taking a high quality magnesium supplement right before bed to hep with sleep. I also got an amazing eye mask for bed that I swear helps put me to sleep! I am kind of obsessed.  I linked it here. It can connect to bluetooth but I lost the cord and never used bluetooth anyway (this can hurt your brain health actually) but the mask itself fits amazing and really blocks out the light and it’s worth every penny. which honestly isn’t that expensive.

Side note, when my kids sleep with me in my bed, I tell them “okay time to go to bed, mommy is putting on her eye mask” and they literally stop talking to me haha. IYKYK with those Chatty Cathys kiddos…

10. Manage Stress

High stress levels can impact fertility and overall well-being. Incorporate mindfulness practices like meditation or yoga into your routine to help manage stress levels. I love weaving in meditation into my days. even 5 to 10 minutes can help with stress! Also talking with a professional therapist is always a great idea! My hubby and I started and found a great therapist we both LOVE and it’s been a game-changer to both our stress and our relationship. YAY go therapy!

Join Our “Nourish Life” Class!

Alright ladies, that's all for today. But remember, this is just the beginning of your journey to holistic health. Join our “Nourish Life” course to learn how to fuel your body the right way and how to embrace family wellness in the home to create generational health for your family!

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