Home / For Women / I'd like to have a baby pretty soon /

Healthy Body

Taking good care of your physical health can help you to look and feel your best. Here are a few tips to keep your body healthy and strong and keep you feeling good. If you get pregnant, staying healthy now will help you to have a healthy pregnancy later, whenever that might be.

Get at least 400 micrograms of folic acid every day from a multivitamin or fortified cereal. This will help prevent birth defects if you become pregnant.
Achieve a healthy weight by eating plenty of vegetables, fruits and whole grains and by exercising for at least 30 minutes every day.
Visit your doctor once a year for health screenings and to treat medical conditions. Also learn about medications, sexually transmitted diseases, and vaccines that can affect your health.
Take care of your teeth and gums and visit your dentist at least once a year.
Avoid smoking, alcohol, and drugs to stay healthy and to prevent serious risks if you do get pregnant.

Available Resources

Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Learn about sexually transmitted diseases that can affect your health.

Keywords: infection; vaccination; STD; immunization; HIV; STI; sexually transmitted diseases; safe sex

Medical Conditions

Learn how medical conditions can affect your reproductive health.

Keywords: medical conditions; medications; oral health; doctor; dentist; disease; illness

Healthy Weight

Learn how you can achieve a healthy weight.

Keywords: weight; diet; exercise; physical activity; plate method; calorie balance; nutrition tips; exercise tips; recommendations

Alcohol

Learn how alcohol can affect your health.

Keywords: drugs; alcohol; addiction; drinking; FASD

Go Folic!

They taught you acid is bad for your health, right? Learn more about this good acid called "folic" and why you should take it everyday!

Keywords: folic acid; folate; vitamin; multivitamin; B-vitamin; before pregnancy

Genetic Conditions

Learn about genetic conditions that could affect you and any children that you might have in the future.

Keywords: genetic; inherited; genetic counselor; genetic disease; prenatal testing; newborn screening; family tree; history; risk; DNA; genes

Guide to Healthier Eating

Learn how to have a healthy, balanced diet.

Keywords: fruits; vegetables; whole grains; calcium; low fat; lean; healthy food; preconception nutrition; preconception diet; healthy diet; balanced diet; eating guide; healthy weight

Medications

Learn about medications that can cause birth defects and other problems.

Keywords: medicine; drugs; over-the-counter; prescription; drug safety; FDA; CTIS

Smoking

Learn how smoking can severely harm your health.

Keywords: smoking; tobacco; smoking cessation; quit smoking; how to quit smoking

Vaccines

Learn how to prevent infections that can affect your health and the health of future pregnancies.

Keywords: vaccine; vaccination; immunization; before pregnancy shots

Dental Health

Learn how taking care of your teeth and gums can affect your overall health.

Keywords: oral health; teeth and gums; cleaning teeth; flouride; healthy mouth; recommendations; cavities; soda; sugar

Drugs

Learn how drugs can affect your health.

Keywords: Medicine; medication; prescription; over-the-counter; illegal drugs; medicine before pregnancy; medicine while pregnant; effects of drugs

Physical Activity Guidelines

Learn how to stay active.

Keywords: exercise; activity; aerobic; strengthening activities; physical activity; healthy weight; preconception exercise

Preconception Health Council of California | Web Site and Design by David Levin

EveryWomanCalifornia.org is generously supported by March of Dimes California.