Once you and your spouse have decided that the time has come for you to bring in new life to your family, you as a woman have a few responsibilities before you start the process. Firstly, you need to prepare your body and mind before getting pregnant. Beware that being pregnant is a wonderful time in your life and that you must enjoy it.

In order to prepare your body, you must take care of your diet. Start taking multivitamins at least 3 months prior to you getting pregnant. You must start taking folic acid supplements to avoid spinal chord defects in your child.

Start eating a healthy well balanced diet. Eat plenty of fruits and green leafy vegetables. Avoid raw uncooked foods like sushi and eggs. Drink a glass of mil every day to increase your calcium intake. This makes sure you have strong bones. You can opt to eat yogurt, cottage cheese and rice as well. Avoid foods and drinks that contain caffeine like coffee and fizzy drinks.

Avoid cigarettes and nicotine in all forms for atleast a year before you conceive. Alcohol is not permissible even in the minutest proportion. Avoid all drugs that are not prescribed by your doctor. Even second hand smoke causes harm so avoid situations and areas that exposure you to such harmful smoke. Keep your spouse at bay if he smokes and make him aware of the risk he is putting you at.

It is extremely important that you are stress free before the conception of your child and during the term of your pregnancy. Stress causes emotional issues with the child during adolescence and can last a lifetime. Keep stressors at bay, even if it means keeping family, friends and relatives away for a few months. If a situation or a person can cause stress or panic in your life it needs to be eliminated for the time being.