Before You Get Pregnant

Lee Health is a nationally recognized, award-winning health system in Southwest Florida. We are caring people, inspiring health.

It’s a big decision when a couple decides to have a baby. Before getting pregnant, doctors have a few suggestions for women to make sure their health is in good shape.

Dr. Kevin Fleischman, an OB/GYN on the medical staff of Lee Health, says keeping your health on track is important, especially before pregnancy. “Obesity is a big problem. There’s an increase of obese people and people with a higher BMI are now getting pregnant and these are high risk pregnancies.”

He advises women to consider their health first before getting pregnant. “We do like women to be as healthy as they can at the beginning of pregnancy, so for instance if someone is overweight we encourage them to exercise and lose weight before they conceive, that way they’ll have a much healthier pregnancy.”

Maintaining a healthy weight before pregnancy will prevent problems during pregnancy like high blood pressure, gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and hypertension. It will also lower the mother’s risk for a C-section. “Gestational diabetes can cause big babies, and the scariest things we deal with is called shoulder dystocia which means the head comes out but the shoulders get stuck because the stomach and the shoulders are out of proportion larger than the head. And that can cause a lot of problems for the baby so we like very good blood sugar control throughout the pregnancy,” said Dr. Fleischman.

Before getting pregnant, he recommends women develop healthy eating habits and regular physical activity. Also, monitor your blood pressure and cholesterol. “Sometimes it just takes exercising and losing a few pounds and sometimes it’s three or four percent of their body weight,” said Dr. Fleischman.

Having a healthy body weight before pregnancy can help mothers have a healthy pregnancy and delivery.

[celineterra]

Yes that’s my goal. I weigh 263 unfortunately. So I started working out and made a fitness goal. Not having a baby until I get that under control! Wish me luck ❤️

[alliesapp]

Ha! He was my OB and he caught my son during Superbowl Sunday in Feb 2011. He knows his stuff! Loved him!

[rachaelkirby]

It really is common sense, if you want a healthy pregnancy get healthy first.

[christinamitrovich]

I started to portion control my meals and snacks, trying to eat as healthy as possible just eating a low GI, low sugar, wholesome diet. I have also been drinking lots of water, herbal teas. I started walking everyday and undertaking water aerobics whenever possible as well. I bought this issue up with my doctor and we also did some medical checks to determine underlying concerns. At the moment I am showing up a healthy lady. I can only do so much.

[nikitsir]

Loads of people with chronic health conditions, even obese people, smokers, people that eat nothing but junk etc, get pregnant all the time and have healthy babies. Meanwhile, otherwise healthy and fit people face infertility and their reproductive systems just aren't in line with the rest of their bodies. So, no, it's not a no-brainer, not to me at least, that being healthy and fit equals Fertility and a healthy baby.

[americangirl]

I’ve been trying to have kids for a year and 3 months with irregular cycles if anyone has any tips or could pray for me I’d really appreciate it

[christinamitrovich]

So recently I started walking and water aerobics as well as trying to eat healthy.

[Mhampton]

I’m thinking about me getting pregnant 🤰🏻

[graciejosie]

This really works out for me I have my own child now. I am grateful to Mr Dominic

[mariamistretta]

Tips for other women.
Health contract is important. Healthy comes Frist.
Work out fitness and stay fit.
Eat healthier foods and drink healthier.

[sabamakedah]

I hope he responds. I don't get my period every month. Hormonal imbalance. My gynae rans some tests and everything was fine. Told me it would be harder for me to conceive. I'm desperate

[SherylBeldenizaChannel]

Thank you for this information. 35 now still not pregnant

[Jordan-gcqg]

They are saying do the BMI I don’t know how to calculate that. How are we supposed to know how much we’re supposed to weigh before getting pregnant? How do I know if we 169 pounds is not a good weight or not

[boo-ssup]

Hang on? I'm over weight BUT I'm HEALTHY never had high blood pressure not heart issues infect in a nutshell all my organs are PERFECT ... I know of women at a BMI 25 that have had pregnancy diabities.. preeclampsia.. high blood pressure and a c-section. I'm 116kg and I had a text book pregnancy no issues at all and gave birth naturally with no issues and healed with no issues. I wasn't out of breath I didn't get a high blood pressure and I are healthy purely to gove my baby the best start not to lose weight etc. Did you know a women who is BMI below 18 is at the very same risk but no doctors ever mention this or teenagers they have the same risk factors as an over weight women... I think what you should be saying it yes eat healthy and get regular workouts BUT let's not assume based on a BMI (which isn't what BMI was made for) what you overall health is! Let's treat you an an individual and focus on your actual health and work together to have a heakthy pregnancy birth and baby

[christinamitrovich]

I try to lose weight and nothing works for me.

[benibeni]

Oh god please bless me child if you bless me a child i will give you back please god i really want a baby please pray for me

[lexi_]

I am working on it, sir. I know it is important.

[natashachiware]

Lord please can you bless me with a good husband that supports and so we can start our beautiful family in peace and love amen ( have been trying to get baby now and its other happening what can I do to help me get pregnant I'm never relaxed...how can I get to relax my self. Im looking to take my life because this is so stressful and I can’t wake up every morning knowing I have this problem and how she can kick me out any day! There accusing of certain thing u can't discuss now but can do if someone contacts me. The council is acting unprofessional and taking my nieghbours sides and not hearing my side of the story also acting I did them someone person to them or that I'm there nieghbour and that I'm doing it to them. I am been treated unfairly and its not good for my health I have been out of work for 3 year because this mess. I feel weird in my own house, I have still not settled down yet. I have had 5 miscarriages because of my nieghbours.)

[britbbycakes]

What about underweight? My BMI is 17.5 😩😩

[tiakirkland]

I wanna have a baby but I'm so scared to deal with the nine months and labor 😞