The fertile period is about two weeks before the start of your period. It can take three weeks before knowing for sure that you really pregnant. The most critical period for your baby is between the second and the eighth week, where organs like the heart or kidneys form.Everything that you come in contact with, for example your diet,smoke or other substances can affect your child.Therefore it is better to behave like a pregnant woman even before the actual pregnancy is confirmed.
Should I speak with my doctor about my pregnancy? And if so how soon?
Anytime, even before trying to get pregnant. You can speak to the doctor about your habits, your diet, your way of life and everything that concerns you. Plan to introduce yourself to your doctor in the 12 months before you actually want to become pregnant. He may assess your health and he may question you and the father to establish your medical history. You also enjoy asking questions. You may want to undergo testing for rubella, and HIV or other blood tests.
What should I eat?
What you eat also nurtures your baby. Avoid foods low in nutrients, such as chips, soft drinks and biscuits, they do not provide the right nutrients to your baby. If you are vegetarian or follow a slimming diet, you should modify your diet. Talk to your doctor before taking extra vitamins and minerals. Some supplements, eg high doses of vitamin A and D can be harmful. Limit your daily intake of vitamin A and 3,000 IU of vitamin D 400 IU or less. Taking daily prenatal vitamins containing 30 mg of elemental iron is sufficient when combined with a diet that includes meat and other foods rich in iron. Before pregnancy, women need 1,200 mg of calcium per day, or the equivalent of a pint of milk or orange juice fortified with calcium. Otherwise, these needs can be met by six servings of grain or enriched breads. Limit your daily caffeine intake to 2 cups of coffee or 6 cups of soft drinks.
Importance of folic acid
Women who eat enough foods containing folic acid (a B vitamin) during pregnancy are less likely than their baby has serious problems in the brain or spinal cord. It should take folic acid three months before becoming pregnant because these problems develop very early, at three or four weeks of early pregnancy.
Women should take about 0.4 mg of folic acid per day, usually in the form of multivitamins. You can also eat more foods rich in folic acid; here are some:
The green leafy vegetables (eg. Spinach)
The foods of the cabbage family (eg. Broccoli, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts)
Some fruits (eg. Oranges, cantaloupe and banana)
Milk
Grains and organ meats (like chicken liver).
It may however be difficult to draw this amount of folic acid in your diet. Therefore it is recommended to take multivitamins.