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Getting in shape is one thing. Whether you're training for a marathon or not, it is a whole other ballgame when it comes to pregnancy. Though you might think of labor and childbirth as one day, it's what you do in the months before your due date that makes the most difference to your health and to the health of your child. To make sure you're giving your child the best chance at being healthy, happy, and strong, you need to get your body ready for the next nine month marathon that is being pregnant.

Before You Start Trying

What many people don't realize is that getting ready for pregnancy should actually begin long before you actually begin to try. You need to prepare your body so that conception is easier and your child has the best possible start from day one. To do this, you will want to start by changing your diet to include more fruits and vegetables as well as whole grains and dairy. This will allow your body to get the nutrients you need to support your baby's growth. You will also want to add in lean proteins to begin to build up your protein reserves. Try to choose organic foods whenever you can in order to keep out potentially dangerous chemicals from the pesticides used on normal crops. This is a good time to begin to take prenatal vitamins as well since these will help to fill in any gaps in your diet that might be left by your food choices. Folic acid is especially important as it can help to prevent birth defects. Starting a regular exercise routine will also help your body get ready for childbirth, while also helping to establish the habit of exercise. Unlike previous generations, women are now encouraged to exercise while they are pregnant as this helps to strengthen their muscles for the labor process. Exercise will also help to offset the aches and the pains of pregnancy as well as to help you sleep more soundly. Finally, when you begin to try to have a child, it never hurts to stop drinking caffeine and to stop smoking as well. Since you're going to have to quit these habits anyway when you know you're pregnant, it never hurts to get a head start on the process.

When You are Pregnant

The good news is that if you've already starting eating right and exercising before you become pregnant, it's going to be all the easier to keep up these habits when you know you are pregnant. Once you are carrying a child, all you will need to do is to add about 300 calories to your diet each day – in a healthy way, of course. This will give you the extra energy your body needs to support your child. The old myth that you are eating for two people is actually not true since your child's development is supported by your body and what you need for your body. Of course, just because you don't need to eat a lot more food to support your body during pregnancy doesn't mean you can't have a few splurges from time to time. You might want to add a sweet treat here and there to satisfy your cravings, but overall, your diet should remain as healthy as possible.