Planning for Pregnancy
Preparing Your Body and Mind
Planning for pregnancy is an exciting and important step in your life. Whether you’re just beginning to think about starting a family or actively trying to conceive, preparing your body and mind is essential for a healthy pregnancy.
At Amcal , we’re here to support you every step of the way, offering expert advice and products tailored to your family planning needs. Our pharmacists can help you navigate the complex aspects of preconception health, fertility tracking, and overall wellness to optimise your chances of conception.
Why Preconception Health Matters
Before becoming pregnant, it’s essential to ensure your body is in its best condition to support a healthy pregnancy and baby. Preconception health refers to the steps you can take to get your body ready for pregnancy, and it can influence your fertility, the health of your pregnancy, and the well-being of your future baby.
Amcal pharmacists can guide you through various aspects of preconception health, including:
- Nutritional supplements
- Ovulation tracking
- Lifestyle changes
- Fertility management
Nutritional Support for Preconception
One of the most critical aspects of preconception care is ensuring you’re getting the right nutrients to prepare your body for pregnancy. Our pharmacists can recommend a range of supplements to support your health before and during pregnancy:
- Folic Acid: One of the most important nutrients for women trying to conceive, folic acid helps prevent neural tube defects in the early stages of pregnancy. It’s recommended that women take 400–800 micrograms of folic acid each day, from at least a month before they begin trying to conceive1.
- Prenatal Vitamins: Even before conception, prenatal vitamins can support your health and ensure you’re getting the key nutrients necessary for a healthy pregnancy. Amcal offers a wide range of prenatal vitamins tailored to meet your specific needs.
- Iron and Calcium: Adequate iron levels are vital for supporting the increased blood volume during pregnancy, while calcium supports the development of your baby’s bones and teeth2.
Amcal pharmacists can help you choose the right supplements based on your health and dietary needs, ensuring you’re well-prepared for pregnancy.
Fertility Tracking, Ovulation Monitoring and Conception
Timing is crucial when trying to conceive, and understanding your ovulation cycle can significantly increase your chances of becoming pregnant. Amcal offers a variety of products to help you track your fertility and monitor your ovulation, including:
- Ovulation Kits: These kits detect the surge of luteinising hormone (LH) in your urine, which occurs just before ovulation. By using these kits, you can pinpoint the most fertile days of your cycle to maximise your chances of conception.
- Basal Body Temperature (BBT) Thermometers: Tracking your basal body temperature can help you identify subtle changes in your cycle that indicate ovulation. Our pharmacists can advise on how to use BBT thermometers effectively and interpret the results.
- Fertility-friendly Lubricants: Our pharmacists can recommend fertility-friendly lubricants, which help create an optimal environment for sperm during intercourse
By providing guidance on these fertility tracking tools, Amcal pharmacists can empower you with the knowledge to understand your body’s natural fertility signs, making it easier to plan your pregnancy.
Lifestyle Changes for Fertility and Pregnancy
Lifestyle factors play a significant role in fertility and preparing your body for a healthy pregnancy. Our pharmacists can offer practical advice on lifestyle changes that may improve your chances of conception, including:
- Diet and Nutrition: Eating a balanced diet rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants can support reproductive health. Our pharmacists can provide tips on optimising your diet and suggest supplements to fill any nutritional gaps.
- Weight Management: Maintaining a healthy weight increases the likelihood of getting pregnant and having a healthy baby. Women who are both under and over a healthy weight may experience difficulties conceiving, as weight can affect hormone levels and ovulation. Amcal pharmacists can guide you on healthy weight management strategies.
- Smoking and Alcohol: If you smoke or consume alcohol, now is the time to consider quitting, as both can impact fertility and the health of your future baby. Our pharmacists can offer support and resources, including nicotine replacement therapy to help you quit smoking before pregnancy, and referral to services to help with quitting alcohol.
- Managing Stress: High levels of stress can affect fertility, making it more challenging to conceive. Amcal offers a range of products and advice to help manage stress, including relaxation techniques, mindfulness tools, and supplements designed to support emotional well-being.
When to Seek Additional Support
For some couples, conceiving may take longer than expected, and it’s important to know when to seek further assistance. If you’ve been trying to conceive for over a year (or six months if you’re over 35) without success, it might be time to speak to a healthcare professional about your options.
Amcal pharmacists can provide referrals to GPs who can connect you with fertility specialists for further investigations. If treatments are prescribed, our pharmacists can dispense and counsel you on these medications, including how they work, how to take or administer them.
Support Throughout Your Pregnancy Journey
Once you’ve successfully conceived, Amcal will continue to support you throughout your pregnancy. Our pharmacists can help you manage common pregnancy symptoms, such as morning sickness, and ensure you have everything you need to stay healthy, from pregnancy-safe skincare to essential vitamins and supplements.
Amcal also offers:
- Prenatalvitamins and supplements to support a healthy pregnancy and baby
- Breastfeeding and bottle feeding support products, including breast pumps, nursing aids and formula
- Newborn care essentials, such as baby-safe skincare and hygiene products
Amcal. For You. For Life.
Planning for pregnancy is an exciting time, but it can also bring a lot of questions and uncertainties. At Amcal Pharmacy, we’re committed to helping you feel informed, confident, and supported throughout your family planning journey. Our pharmacists are here to provide expert advice, recommend essential products, and offer the guidance you need to prepare for a healthy and successful pregnancy.
Visit your local Amcal Pharmacy today for a personalised consultation with one of our pharmacists, and let us be a part of your journey toward parenthood.
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