With the New Year right around the corner, many women are turning their thoughts to their goals for the coming year. If you’re planning to welcome a new baby into your family, now’s the perfect time to begin preparing for the challenges of pregnancy and delivery.
The team at Interior Women’s Health is excited to partner with you as you embark on this exciting process. We’re here to share some tips on how you can take action now to make your pregnancy and childbirth experience as healthy and happy as possible.
The best place to begin is with a comprehensive health assessment with your primary care provider. An in-depth exam that includes blood testing will help you know where you stand in terms of your overall health.
If your practitioner identifies issues like existing chronic disease or a high risk for chronic health conditions, you can take action to reduce your risk prior to becoming pregnant. Blood testing can provide a wealth of information about your cholesterol and blood glucose levels, hormone levels, and even thyroid, kidney, and liver function.
Blood screening can also identify any deficiencies in micronutrients and minerals. Many women take supplements or adjust their diets to increase levels of B and D vitamins, iron, folate, and other nutrients in the months leading up to pregnancy.
Few things have a greater impact on your pregnancy than the foods you choose to eat every day. Nutrition also has a direct effect on the health of your developing baby. Taking time to assess your diet and make meaningful changes now is a great way to ensure both you and your little one get the nourishment you both need to thrive.
Virtually all of us consume too much highly processed food. A great place to begin is by replacing these foods with more fruit, vegetables, healthy fats, whole grains, and lean proteins. You don’t have to dive into a complete dietary overhaul; even making a few changes each week can have a big impact.
If you drink regularly or engage in the use of recreational drugs, now is the time to take steps to eliminate those habits. There is no safe amount of alcohol, marijuana, or street drugs during pregnancy, and extensive research shows that drugs and alcohol have a direct negative impact on a baby’s development.
There are a number of ways to cut down on alcohol consumption as you prepare for pregnancy. Taking those steps now is much easier than trying to fully eliminate alcohol once you learn you’re pregnant.
Most of us aren’t getting the daily recommended volume of nutrients. Doing so through food sources alone is incredibly difficult. Supplements can help fill gaps, especially for essential nutrients like folic acid, a form of B vitamin.
There are many great prenatal vitamins on the market. These multivitamins are formulated to provide the specific nutrients you need during pregnancy. Starting one now ensures your levels are where they need to be once you begin trying to conceive.
When you come in for a fertility visit, we begin with a thorough review of your health history, including any women’s health issues you’ve faced in the past. Understanding your overall health gives Karl Baurick, MD, and Doris Heilman, MD, the information needed to shape a customized fertility plan.
If you have one or more conditions that would lead to a high-risk pregnancy, we’ll work with you to reduce the risk of harm to you or your baby. These interventions can make your pregnancy easier to navigate.
We can screen you for ordinary women’s health issues that can negatively impact your ability to get pregnant or carry a pregnancy to term. We can also provide customized advice regarding stress management, family dynamics, family planning needs, and much more.
If you’re thinking about a 2026 pregnancy, the team at Interior Women’s Health is here to help you through the process. Booking a visit with our team is as simple as a quick phone call or a visit to our online booking page.
