Pre-pregnancy health should be taken very seriously.

After all think about all the jobs you are about to undertake?

Temperature Controller, Nutrition Supplier, Waste Management, Oxygen Regulator and General "Roof Over Head" Co-ordinator. Basically you have said that someone else can use you as their home for nine months and that you will supply everything they could ever need. Big responsibility!

With careful planning those nine months could be truly wonderful and you could feel at your very best throughout your pregnancy. It is advised that you do plan to ready your body for this event although sometimes this is not always possible.

Being in good physical condition and within your ideal weight and body fat ranges is an excellent start. Plenty of exercise and a well balance diet can prepare your body for anything.

Getting a physical from your health care provider with a view to pregnancy is a great idea as they will be able to give you personalized advice and will be in a position to cjeck your blood pressure and iron levels.

Taking a folic acid supplement about three months before conceiving had been recommened for sometime and is still a good idea. Folic acid helps the babys spinal cord and sheath to develop properly and is therefore a good guard against spina bifida and other spinal related defects.

Your pre-pregnancy health is not only important for your baby but being healthy pre-pregnancy can mean a better pregnancy for you.

Issues such as morning sickness can be hard enough to cope with but to feel generally unhealthy aswell can make your pregnancy seem very long indeed.

If you can get used to gentle exercise pre-pregnancy then it will be easier for you to maintain that momentum whilst pregnant and should help you to enjoy the experience. Also good general health and fitness levels achieved pre-pregnancy should enable you to get back to normal quicker after the birth.