Preparing for a Second Pregnancy

If you're a first-time parent, we understand that you may be worried about many things. "What should I do with my baby?" and "What should I worry about?" are just two of the most common questions that come up during pregnancy.

In most cases, the second pregnancy is a better experience than the first. Do not drink alcohol or take any drugs during your pregnancy. These substances are dangerous to your developing baby and you. 7 days before you ovulate , have a comprehensive preconception health check-up.

Cleaning up your diet

1. Eat more fruits and vegetables. (Many women are deficient in vitamins C, E, B6, folic acid and beta-carotene.) 2. Add flax seed or fish oil supplements to your diet, if recommended by your doctor. (These supplements are important for women with a history of heart disease.) 3. Consider a folic acid supplement. 4. Eat a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids. 5. Get regular physical activity. 6. Reduce your caffeine intake. 7. Have a heart-healthy diet with less fat and cholesterol. 8. Quit smoking.

Advice from second-time parents

1. Don't worry about every little thing. (But do worry about the big things.) 2. Baby books can't tell you everything. Learn from your first baby, learn from your second baby, and ignore all the rest. 3. Be a good-enough parent.

How to Stop Smoking or Taking Drugs

Summary: If you smoke, stop. If you take drugs, stop. Description: Smoking and taking drugs are the worst things a pregnant woman can do. Smoking during pregnancy increases the risk of miscarriage, premature birth, and low birth weight. When pregnant women smoke, more than half of them go on to smoke after giving birth.

If you take drugs, you're putting your unborn baby at risk. Exposure to illicit drugs during pregnancy is linked to major birth defects.

There is a wealth of information on the internet that can provide additional tips, such as the use of an IUD, healthy eating and exercising during pregnancy, or the importance of taking a prenatal vitamin.

Where can I find an IUD?

An IUD can be placed in the uterus. The most common are the Mirena and Liletta, which are both hormonal.

When can I get an IUD?

An IUD is most effective when inserted before becoming pregnant. It can be inserted as early as three months before a pregnancy or as late as six weeks after conception. It's ideal to get an IUD inserted before trying to get pregnant because it can take several months for the cervix to firm up enough to make it harder to get an IUD through the cervix. The likelihood of becoming pregnant drops by about 50 % after a month and drops by 90% after six months.