If you’re planning to become pregnant, make it your objective to create optimal health in your body and baby-daddy’s body prior to conception because it connects directly to the health of your baby from the time of conception.
If the time for planning has passed because you’re already pregnant, first – congratulations! And second – don’t worry, it’s not too late to boost your in utero baby’s brain strength.
For Mom-to-be, check off your list of 16 to-dos and to-don’ts.
Dad-to-be, you have your own list of 8 to-dos and to-don’ts.
checklist For Mom-to-be:
- Schedule medical checkups with primary care doctor, obstetrician, and dentist.
- Ask if immunizations are up to date.
- Discuss your plans to conceive, or if you are pregnant, your pregnancy.
- Express your desire for a healthy pregnancy, a healthy baby, and a healthy microbiome (which impacts you and baby-to-be).
- Ask whether any medications, prescribed and over-the-counter, may cause harm.
- Ask about prenatal vitamins. (My doctor recommended I start taking prenatal vitamins three months prior to trying to conceive, so I did.)
- See your dentist to be sure you have good dental health since gum disease is associated with preterm delivery.
- Clean eating is critical. Eat healthy, whole foods at every meal.
- No acetaminophen (Tylenol). Researchers at Johns Hopkins found taking acetaminophen during pregnancy increases the risk of autism spectrum disorder and ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder).
- No fluoride in water or toothpaste. Say no to fluoride treatment from the dentist. Per JAMA Pediatrics (August 2019) a Canadian study found fluoride exposure during pregnancy is associated with a lower IQ in babies.
- No gardening. It carries the risk of transferring toxoplasmosis, a parasite that can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, or damage to the baby’s eyes or brain.
- No cleaning the cat’s litter box. It also carries the risk of transferring toxoplasmosis, the parasite that can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, or damage to the baby’s eyes or brain.
- Cook meat and eggs thoroughly. They are another source of the parasite toxoplasmosis.
- Avoid the foodborne bacteria listeria, which is potentially fatal to in utero baby, by avoiding unpasteurized milk, soft cheeses, deli meats, and deli salads.
- Avoid toxins like harsh cleaning chemicals, pesticides, and some paints.
- Quit immediately if you smoke, vape, use recreational drugs, or drink alcohol – each can be damaging to developing baby and baby’s brain.
checklist For Dad-to-be:
- Schedule a medical checkup. Ask if immunizations are up to date. Discuss your plans to conceive.
- Express your desire for a healthy baby.
- Ask whether any medications, prescribed and over-the-counter, may cause harm.
- Avoid toxins like harsh cleaning chemicals, pesticides, and some paints.
- Clean eating is critical. Eat foods high in folic acid, zinc, and vitamin C which help with optimal sperm production and quality according to Nora Tobin of Parents.com.
- Quit immediately if you smoke, vape, use recreational drugs, or drink alcohol – each can be damaging to developing baby and baby’s brain. According to Nora Tobin, they can have a detrimental effect on sperm, including decreased sperm count and an increased number of abnormal sperm.