Understanding Preconception Care – What It Is, Why It Matters, and What To Do

One of the most basic truths about a healthy pregnancy is how closely tied it is to the preconception health of both parents. And that puts the importance of preconception care into sharp focus. But what is preconception care exactly, and where do you get it? Here’s what to understand about preconception care, including what it is, why it matters, and what to do.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

  • Preconception health describes the health of women and men during their reproductive years.
  • Prioritizing preconception health for both partners with specific care can help couples improve their chances of a healthy conception, pregnancy, and baby.
  • Ideally, preconception care should begin six months before a couple begins trying for a baby.
  • While preconception care is unique to everyone, a preconception checklist may include taking prenatal vitamins, stopping birth control, tracking cycles, exercising and eating well, managing stress, and minimizing bad habits like drinking and smoking.

What is Preconception Care?

beli-baby-preconception-care

Walk down the aisle at your local drugstore, and it seems like preconception care is lumped in with the fertility and pregnancy offerings, most of which are pregnancy tests and emergency contraceptives. Here’s the thing – preconception care should begin way before you’re shopping for tests, because maximizing your health at least six months before you start trying can make an enormous difference on everything to come.

To understand preconception care, let’s back up to preconception health. This is just what it sounds like – the health of women and men during their reproductive years. A couple planning to become pregnant at some point in the future can take steps now to prioritize their health to support a healthy conception and to protect the health of their future baby.

Here’s the thing – even men and women who aren’t planning on a baby today can benefit from prioritizing preconception health, simply because many of the things that we do to improve our reproductive health are the same things we do to improve our health as a whole.

And preconception health isn’t limited to physical health – it’s technically defined as the medical, behavioral, and social health of both parents-to-be during these reproductive years. That means it looks a little different for everyone, and so does preconception care. For some, it may mean committing to consistent exercise and better nutrition to reach a healthy weight. For others, it could be figuring out how to best manage stress or getting a handle on your cycle after coming off hormonal birth control. So… where to begin? Right this way!

Preconception Care Checklist

For couples planning on a baby, preconception care is all about stacking the deck. And while so much of the path to pregnancy is largely out of our control, there are things we can do to nourish our health and tune into what matters to support conception and a healthy pregnancy. Here’s where to start.

Start taking prenatal vitamins

Surprised to see this top our list? Don’t be! Experts recommend that both men and women take high-quality prenatal vitamins at least three months (ideally) before they start trying to conceive. Both partners will benefit from key micronutrients that help support the processes driving preconception health in men and women. What’s more, a steady stream of nutrients as a woman’s eggs mature for fertilization may mean better egg quality. Plus, starting prenatals early helps build up the nutrients you’ll need once you become pregnant and get busy, you know, growing an entire little person.

Something similar happens on the male side of things. Optimal sperm health requires specific nutrients, including methylated folate, selenium, L-Carnitine, and CoQ10, among others. Since a man’s health preconception has a direct effect on his partner’s pregnancy and the health of their baby, a prenatal vitamin specifically formulated for men is an easy way to support and nourish sperm health. Keep in mind that the sperm maturation process takes roughly three months, and the right nutrients can help support optimal motility, morphology, and other parameters of sperm health during this process.

Track your period

If you aren’t already tracking your periods, or you’ve just come off a hormonal birth control that had you on an artificial schedule, it’s time to get to know your cycle. Make a point of tracking the number of days in your cycle – i.e. the first day of your period (which is day one of your cycle) and the day your next period begins. Ideally, your cycle length is roughly the same month to month. This will help you figure out your ovulation window.

When you do become pregnant, you'll be asked a zillion times when your last period began. This is how they time your pregnancy and give you a due date, so make sure you’re tracking this stuff!

Prioritize a healthy lifestyle

Trying to become a parent is a big deal, and it could be the motivation you need to really embrace a healthy lifestyle. All of the things that fall into that – eating a nutritious diet, staying hydrated, getting lots of high quality sleep, exercising regularly, and nixing the bad habits – will improve your overall health. And good news – that includes your reproductive health. 

Find healthy outlets to manage stress

This falls into the “prioritize a healthy lifestyle” box, but it deserves special attention. Mitigating stress is a big deal, because high levels of stress can temporarily affect your fertility – and not in a good way. It raises cortisol levels, which can mess with your cycle, causing delayed or absent ovulation.

If work, finances, family life, or something else is causing major stress in your life, make a point of finding a healthy outlet – exercise, meditation, yoga, intentional breathing, therapy, whatever works for you.

Enjoy the process

This is an exciting time and you should enjoy the experience, so try not to stress if you don’t see two pink lines immediately. If you’re under 35, experts recommend trying for 12 months before seeing a doctor for a closer look at your fertility. Over 35? Give it six months and see what happens. The point is, these things can take time and you’ll only set yourself up for failure if you start comparing your experience to anyone else’s. Try to enjoy this pre-parenthood stage as much as you can.

The takeaway

Preconception care is all about optimizing your preconception health in preparation for what’s to come. The healthier you and your partner are today, the better the chance you’ll have a healthy conception, pregnancy, and little bundle of joy. And that’s what it’s all about!

 

Any statement made on Belibaby.com has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. We recommend consulting with your medical provider before starting any new supplement.

This article is for informational purposes only, even if and regardless of whether it features the advice of physicians and medical practitioners. This article is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and should never be relied upon for specific medical advice. The views expressed in this article are the views of the expert and do not necessarily represent the views of Beli.

Additional Resources

Most births occur between June and early November. Count back nine months, and you’ll see that places most conceptions in the fall and winter. So what’s the deal? Is it the cold weather, all the festivities, or something else driving us between the sheets? That ugly sweater is pretty cute, but you can chalk this up to reproductive seasonality. Here’s what that means, why it matters, and what to do to use it to your advantage.

Read More

Many men overlook how crucial sperm health is until it's too late. Red flag statements can signal poor sperm quality. Whether trying to conceive or maintaining health, recognizing these signs early can impact your fertility and well-being.

Read More

Fall is not just a time for pumpkin spice lattes and cooler weather; it’s also an opportunity to optimize fertility, particularly for men. Cooler temperatures naturally benefit sperm health, while Beli for Men provides the essential nutrients needed to take those benefits even further. 

Read More

Egg quantity and quality are critical aspect of our reproductive well-being. By understanding the ideal number of eggs at various ages, why egg quality and quantity matter, and how to nurture and improve egg health, we can make informed decisions about our fertility and overall health.

Read More

Miscarriage is a complex issue, and while sperm health is just one factor, it's a crucial one. By understanding the statistics and research surrounding miscarriage and sperm health, couples can take proactive steps to improve fertility outcomes. Beli Vitality for Men offers a comprehensive fertility supplement solution, supported by industry research and designed to improve sperm health. By combining Beli Vitality with healthy lifestyle choices, couples can optimize their fertility journey and increase their chances of a successful pregnancy.

Read More

While it’s true that popular hair loss meds work minor miracles on that receding hairline and back-of-the-head bald patch, it’s also true that it can come with side effects—some of them sexual. So, what does that mean in terms of male fertility? Here’s what couples should understand about the effects of popular hair-loss medications on sperm health.

Read More

The long, lazy days of summer aren’t just prime vacation days. Summer could actually be an especially fertile season, which may be of interest to couples who are interested in starting a family. If you’re angling for parenthood this summer, here’s what to know about the season of fertility.

Read More

The summer heat really can have a temporary effect on male fertility, so doing what you can to keep cool, especially if the goal is becoming a dad, is really important. Here are tips to keep you and the boys cool this summer.

Read More

If you’re no stranger to the telltale signs of seasonal allergies—sneezing, itching, nasal congestion, irritated eyes, the works—you’re likely familiar with antihistamines. When you’re actively trying to conceive, there’s more to understand about histamines, seasonal allergies and how it affects your fertility.

Read More

When the plan is a baby, but you’re having a hard time conceiving, it’s normal to start wondering why. While there can be a number of issues in play, one tends to be overlooked: sleep quality. Specifically, men who have the sleep disorder sleep apnea could be at greater risk of fertility issues. Now, new research is drawing a more definitive link between sleep apnea and male fertility. Let’s review.

Read More

Fact: You can’t look at a guy—or eyeball his semen sample, for that matter—and determine his fertility. It just doesn’t work that way. The only way to truly assess sperm health is with a semen analysis. But there are a few lifestyle choices and truths that may indicate whether a man’s sperm is healthy and happy. 

Read More

While PCOS can be a challenging condition to manage, natural supplements like inositol that are included in Beli Preconception Boost offer a beacon of hope. Inositol's ability to improve insulin sensitivity, hormone balance, and ovulatory function makes it a valuable tool in the PCOS management toolkit. 

Read More

The concern that hormonal contraception affects future fertility is making the rounds on social media again. But research continues to show that all that worry is for naught. While birth control doesn’t cause long-term fertility issues, it can mask them by creating an artificial cycle—something that’s important to understand.

Read More

While it’s lumped into the “bodily fluid” category, semen is a complex cocktail of compounds designed to support fertility. Like sperm quality, semen health can be influenced by lifestyle factors—an important realization for couples trying to conceive. From color to consistency, here’s what healthy semen looks like.

Read More

There’s a lot of chatter when it comes to male masturbation and what it says about a man’s fertility or whether it’s an issue when a couple is actively trying to conceive. And in the interest of clearing up the confusion, we’re taking a facts-based approach to the topic of men, masturbation and fertility.

Read More

For many of us, our twenties and even thirties are a time when the focus is on pregnancy prevention. And that’s okay! But even when the idea of motherhood is miles away there is tremendous value in understanding your fertility health and what you can do to support it during these young, carefree days.

Read More

Once a month, PMS symptoms make their unpleasant presence known. And while knowing what’s happening won’t make PMS magically disappear, it can help you manage symptoms by balancing hormones and supporting your reproductive health. Let’s review.

Read More

Raise your hand if you already know that you have a biological clock. From age 35 and beyond, there is a natural decline in testosterone and sperm quality. Just as people lose muscle strength, flexibility and endurance with age, sperm also tend to lose their "fitness" over the life cycle. But what does that mean—and does it really matter?

Read More

It’s an easy assumption, but you’re much better off thinking that every prenatal vitamin is wildly different in terms of composition, nutrient quality and, importantly, nutrient amount. Not only is that actually true, it puts you in the smart consumer mindset of understanding what matters in a prenatal vitamin—and why.

Read More

If you have endometriosis, you can already recite its lengthy list of pretty terrible symptoms. And the standard options for managing those symptoms — medications, hormone therapy, hormonal birth control, estrogen blockers, surgery —  aren’t always great. But there is evidence that a so-called “endometriosis diet” can help.

Read More

Men really do benefit from specialized nutrition in the form of a prenatal vitamin that’s formulated to support sperm health. Here’s what that looks like, and how specific nutrients can impact a man’s fertility health before fatherhood.

Read More

Shilajit is finally getting the credit it’s due, and we’re proud to point out that our proprietary formula was the very first to include this powerful Ayurvedic compound. Here’s why shilajit is rapidly becoming the darling of the male fertility world–and what you’re missing if you’re skipping it.

Read More

Ever wondered why men produce so much darn sperm, especially if only one of them will ultimately fertilize the egg? There are millions of sperm in normal ejaculate because it increases the likelihood that one will reach the egg and seal the deal. It begs the question, what exactly happens on the journey to the egg?

Read More

Optimal nutrition plays a pivotal role in enhancing fertility and supporting a healthy pregnancy. A diet rich in essential nutrients, such as vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and healthy fats, lays the foundation for reproductive health.

Read More

Is there anything unsexier than scheduled, pressure-ridden, trying-like-hell-to-conceive sex? But good news. We’ve found handy workarounds and tricks of the trade, so forget the basal temperature chart for a second and read on for four ways to keep things hot when you’re TTC.

Read More
×

Change Shipping Country

Cancel