The time to begin preparing for a healthy pregnancy is NOW!

1. Consult with your physician about stopping any medication you are taking. You should stop acne medications, tranquilizers and sleeping pills. Usually you should continue medications for high blood pressure and epilepsy. Stop birth control pills for three months before trying to get pregnant.

2. Stop using any illegal drugs.

3. Quit smoking cigarettes NOW!

4. Make sure your house if completely smoke free. There are no exceptions to this, not even husbands, boyfriends, relatives or friends. Second hand cigarette smoke is hazardous to you and your baby!

5. Make your workplace smoke free if possible.

6. Decrease your caffeine intake. Cut it to zero as soon as you miss your period. Coffee has the most caffeine; any type of decaffeinated coffee is O.K. Tea also has caffeine. Herb teas are fine if the package says that it has no caffeine. Mountain Dew, Coke, Pepsi and all the other colas contain caffeine. The ones that are labeled as caffeine free are O.K. Some sodas contain caffeine so always read the label. Chocolate and cocoa may contain very small amounts of caffeine but they are O.K. to eat and drink.

7. Decrease you alcohol consumption. Quit entirely as soon as your period is late.

8. Begin taking a multiple vitamin with iron. Make sure it contains at least 0.4 mg (400 mcg) of folic acid. Long's brand of daily vitamins is economical and easy to take. It contains all the important ingredients. Don't take any extra vitamin supplements, especially Vitamin A. The amount of vitamin A in the multiple vitamin is just right.

9. Once your period is late, you have to make other changes. Try not to get too hot. Avoid warm baths, hot showers, steam rooms, hot tubs and saunas. Limit exercise time and intensity if it gets too hot.

10. Take acetaminophen (Tylenol) if you get a fever or have pain.

11. Rubella (German measles) is a serious threat to the health of your unborn baby. Make sure you have either had this infection or gotten an immunization. If there is any doubt, you should have a blood test to find out your status.