Lesson of the Week: Good Habits to Start Now
For women with a 28-day cycle, ovulation occurs around 14 days after the start of the menstrual cycle, which means you should begin healthy habits before you become pregnant. Some healthy pregnancy habits include:
- Eating a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables
- Exercising
- Taking a vitamin that contains folic acid
- Making sure you have received vaccinations for diseases such as chickenpox and rubella
- Not smoking
- Cutting back on caffeine
- Not drinking alcohol
- Stopping the use of over-the-counter medications, unless they have been approved by your doctor
- Staying away from toxic materials.
Substances such as tobacco, alcohol, over-the-counter medications, and toxic materials can cause:
Some examples of medicines that your doctor may tell you to avoid include:
- Isotretinoin (brand names include Accutane®, Claravis®, Amnesteem®, and Sotret®), which is a type of acne medication.
- Aspirin and pain relievers containing salicylate
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (Motrin®, Advil®), naproxen (Aleve®, Naprosyn®, EC-Naprosyn®, Anaprox®, Anaprox® DS, Naprelan®), and many others
- Antidepressants
- Antihistamines
- Antibiotics, such as streptomycin and tetracycline
- Anticoagulants, which are used to treat clotting disorders
- Anticonvulsants, which are used to treat seizure disorders
- Certain cholesterol medication, such as statins (Crestor®, Lipitor®, and Zocor® to name a few)
- Certain blood pressure medication, such as angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors) or angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs).
Do not stop taking prescription drugs without consulting your healthcare provider -- he or she will help you weigh the potential benefits and risks of discontinuing your medication.
(Click Preconception for additional tips on how to ensure a healthy pregnancy.)
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