I was married for around five years when my husband and I decided it was time to grow our family.
We were both over 30 and felt ready and a little like time was of an essence.

Ahem – like we were getting old…perhaps

I was ready and knew I had to Prepare My Body for Pregnancy.

Steps I took to Prepare my Body for Pregnancy:

1. Doctors Visit
   My husband and I both had our annual doctor’s checkups and we were given to green light.
   I remember my OBGYN telling me that it could take a while for us to get pregnant.
   And promptly dismissed what she said.
2. Stop taking Birth Control
   I was happy to not have to remember to take the pills every day. My little acne problem showed up again, however… I saw it as part of the process and journey.
3. Stop all other Medicine
   I became more conscious of everything I consumed internally and externally.
   I wanted to make sure that the vessel that would be carrying and growing my baby was in its best shape.
   My dermatologist prescribed a low dose topical medicine to help with my acne.
   He could not conclusively tell me that it would not affect my future baby so I decided to not take it.
4. Start taking Prenatal Vitamin
   My OBGYN recommended that I started taking prenatal vitamins as apart of preparing my body.
   I am not a fan of taking medicine and these suckers were Huge!
   This was nine years ago when you had to take two pills to get DHA and you could only get them without a prescription.
   I was pleasantly surprised on my second pregnancy journey to find out that I could get prenatal vitamins at a more reasonable price, over the counter and one pill included all the recommended nutrients.
    
5. Eat more Healthy
   Today we call it, clean eating. I researched foods that were good for pregnancy. I wanted to get my body ready. I felt that my body would be growing a little person and wanted to be in my best health.
6. Drink more Water
   Drinking water has always been a challenge for me. I started taking a water bottle with me everywhere. I included variations of lemon, cucumber, mint, lime, and berries to add natural flavor to my water.
7. Get Active
   I was not a fan of the traditional gym where you had to go by yourself and figure out the machines. I had several gym memberships that I could probably count on my hands how many times I used them.
   My husband and I got bikes and started to ride. Each time we rode we increased our distance. We lived in Florida at the time and had a pool, so I swam a lot as well. I also walked with our two dogs around our neighborhood.
8. Research
   Our family and friends had been asking “when are you going to have a baby” for years. I was excited to tell my close friends and family that we were going to start trying. It’s good to have this support to provide positive encouragement and most importantly to Pray for You! 

A friend gave me the What to Expect book series that I would reference along with the App. I also looked online and skimmed other books. The best information I gathered came from friends and family members who had experienced pregnancy.

Get Busy = Get Knocked-Up = Baby

I thought getting pregnant was that simple. You get busy and get knocked-up.  However, it was not that simple for us. You can learn more about my journey to fertility and motherhood here.

Feeling Sorry For Myself And Stressing Without Realizing

Trying for months with constant heartbreak each time I got a negative pregnancy test or got
my period started to take a toll on me psychologically.
The women in my family “we very fertile” and I wondered why was it taking me this long.

As I sit here reflecting and writing about this time I realize the stress that I had put on myself.

I am a planner and someone that likes to have control.
I had waited for years to try and have a baby. I had a plan and I was working my plan.
Get the education, career and financial security and then have children.

I had taken care of myself and my body and stayed away from “unhealthy choices” –
so why was this happening or not happening to me!

Thankfully my husband was my rock.
He remained calm and practical each step of our journey.

Preparing MY Mind For Pregnancy

I have always relied more on my Mental Strength to help me handle Life.
When my mind is good I can handle the curve balls life throws at me.

However, when we decided to start trying I  only thought about the physical
and material preparations needed to get ready for pregnancy.

It was not until I ran into roadblocks that I dug into my Mental Strength.

Digging Deeper And Preparing My Mind

Surround Yourself with Positive Humans.
People that have good intentions for you. People that will Pray for You, Encourage You, Remind You to be Positive and have Hope.
Friends, Family, Neighbors, Colleagues – who will make you laugh and tell You –
You have broccoli in your teeth and need to brush  – from a place of LOVE.

That person who will sit with you or listen to you on the phone crying for hours –
just giving you the shoulder you need at that time.

I have my CORE Humans that Gave Me Strength during this time.
They made a world of difference.
And I am Forever Grateful!

Be Open to Receive Help and Support.
We must be open to RECEIVE the help that is coming our way.

At times, I did not even realize I needed help or that the process of trying to have a baby was affecting me.
When a friend suggested her fertility doctor after hearing me “cry” about my experience.
I listened and welcomed her support.

Increase Your Health Game.
For me, it was cutting back on Sugar and my Girly Drinks.
One of my friends cut gluten another started to train for a triathlon during their struggle to conceive.

When You Look Good You Feel Good!
I know you have heard people share their experience of how exercise or movement changed their life.
Even just walking outside and getting fresh air.
And Breathe…take Deep Intentional breaths.  Yoga maybe…

Go to the SPA!
Oh, go to the Spa with your husband or partner!
My husband was not a fan of the Spa until I asked for a couples Spa day for my birthday a few years ago.
He couldn’t refuse. He now enjoys our Spa Days.

Being in the setting with the smells, calming music and atmosphere do wonders for your psyche.
Not to mention the massages, facials, wraps…

Work on the things you can control while you wait.
Life goes on. Work on YOU if you need to.
Work on getting your Home ready or getting a Home.

Finish your degree or that certification.
Go after the job or promotion you want.
Achieving other goals will help make you happy.

Consult a Professional.
After trying to get pregnant for months without anything happening,
it felt good to consult fertility doctors – to try and get answers.

For you, it could be a fertility doctor as well, or a pastor, therapist, holistic doctor or an acupuncturist.
You know yourself best and what you need to help you get mentally prepared.
Especially if you are having challenges getting pregnant.

Start Walking the Walk.
I got my belly button pierced in college on a trip to South Beach.
I kept telling myself I would take out my belly button ring when I’m pregnant.

As I dug deeper into my mental preparation I decided I needed to take it out and
start attracting what I wanted with my thoughts and actions.

I would picture myself with a baby bump.
And “dress up” to see how my clothes would fit with a belly.

Lean on God and Your Spirituality.
I think this was the hardest I had prayed as an adult up until that time.

Ask “your people, your tribe, your support system” to pray for you too.
I had my family.
I now have a small group at church that we all share life’s burdens and pray for each other.

Letting Go Of Fear And Surrendering

I think my greatest fear was disappointing my husband.
I was scared that I would not be able to have our children.
I spoke to him about my fears and the what-ifs that came into my mind.
His support and outlook made everything simple and clear.

He said, we will keep trying, and if we needed to do fertility treatment he would support whatever I wanted.
But this is what got me.

We have two dogs, our fur babies.
He said, if we could love our dogs so much he is sure that we could open our hearts to a baby that needed a home and adopt.
We can always adopt.

Knowing that he was at peace with the possibility of us not being able to conceive –
just made me stop worrying and surrender and open to whatever God had in store for us.

Initial Preparation for Pregnancy

As you embarked on your journey to motherhood and start to prepare for pregnancy…

• You must prepare your body, mind, and spirit for your pregnancy or lack of pregnancy.
  You never know what your journey will entail.
• In preparing my body for pregnancy I got my doctors checkup, stopped taking birth control and other medicine.
• Started taking prenatal vitamins,  drank more water, got active and researched all I could.

Deeper Help Need – to Help Prepare

After facing hurdles in my journey to motherhood – I had to Dig Deep and get My Mind and Spirit Stronger!

• Take the time to assess yourself and your needs. Before pregnancy is a great time to spend time with yourself.
  Going to the bathroom alone will be a distant memory.  (smile)
• Preparing your mind and spirit may look different.
  For me, I surrounded my self with people who genuinely cared for me.
• Be open to Receiving Help.
• Find “your thing” that will her you relax.
  The spa was one of my things.
• Focus and work on the things you can control – while you wait.
• Attract what you want with your thoughts and actions.
• Let Go of Fear, Surrendered and Leaned on God.

How did you prepare for pregnancy?

If you’re preparing for pregnancy now – what will you take from this post to help you on your journey?

With Gratitude,

Yamiek, aka, Tallawah Human