Pregnancy off to a beautiful start!
Preconception planning is more important than some people realize. To have a healthy pregnancy, you need to be as healthy as possible before you conceive. Your doctor can help you identify issues of health, lifestyle or fertility that may impact your pregnancy.
Health Issues
The best time to have a preconception check-up is at least three months before you would like to conceive. Ask your doctor if you have any health conditions that would impact a potential pregnancy. Any chronic conditions--such as diabetes or high blood pressure--should be under control before you conceive. Ask your doctor about the safety of any current prescription or over-the-counter medications or supplements you may be taking during the time of conception and pregnancy.
Ask your doctor about your immune status and if there are any vaccinations you should have before conceiving. Most doctors recommend waiting several months after vaccinations before you try to conceive.
Ask your doctor to recommend or prescribe a prenatal vitamin and mineral supplement. Ask your doctor if there are any special dietary changes she recommends before you become pregnant or once you conceive.
Lifestyle Issues
Talk with your doctor about your lifestyle. If you drink coffee or other beverages containing caffeine, ask if you are consuming a safe amount or need to cut back. Doctors have differing opinions regarding alcohol; some think small amounts of alcohol--such as a glass of wine daily--are alright until you actually conceive. Other doctors recommend avoiding alcohol completely once you begin trying to conceive. Ask your doctor what he recommends and why.
If you smoke, ask your doctor to help you quit before you become pregnant. If you are using any illicit drugs, ask your doctor to help you stop, for your health and for your baby's. Ask your doctor about screening you (and your partner) for any sexually transmitted diseases before you begin having sexual intercourse to attempt to conceive a child. Ask your doctor if there are other lifestyle issues which might affect your pregnancy, such as your work or hobbies.
Fertility Issues
Your doctor will take a reproductive history as part of your preconception check-up. This is a good time to ask any questions you may have about fertility, such as "Do you anticipate I will have trouble conceiving?" Tell your doctor about any miscarriages or abortions you may have had in the past, and speak up about any reproductive issues in your family. Ask your doctor about genetic screening or any special risks you might face, such as age.
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