Planning for pregnancy? The best time to prepare is before you conceive. A pre-pregnancy health check ensures you’re in optimal health for a healthy pregnancy.
Why Pre-Pregnancy Health Matters
The first few weeks of pregnancy are crucial for your baby’s development – often before you even know you’re pregnant. Getting healthy before conception gives your baby the best possible start.
Benefits of pre-pregnancy planning:
- Reduce pregnancy complications
- Lower birth defect risk
- Optimize your health
- Manage existing conditions
- Ensure immunity to preventable diseases
- Start prenatal vitamins early
Essential Blood Tests
Complete Blood Count (CBC)
Checks for:
- Hemoglobin levels (anemia screening)
- White blood cells (infection indicators)
- Platelet count
Why it matters: Anemia during early pregnancy doubles the risk of preterm birth. Treating anemia before conception is crucial.
Blood Sugar Testing
Tests: Fasting blood glucose or HbA1c
Why it matters: Uncontrolled diabetes increases birth defect risk. Getting blood sugar under control before pregnancy is essential.
Thyroid Function Test
Tests: TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone), T3, T4
Why it matters: Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism affect fertility and pregnancy. Thyroid levels should be optimized before conception.
Blood Group and Rh Factor
Why it matters:
- Knowing your blood type helps prevent complications
- If you’re Rh-negative and partner is Rh-positive, you may need RhoGAM injections during pregnancy
- Important for emergency situations
Immunity Screening
Rubella (German Measles)
Why it matters: Rubella during pregnancy causes serious birth defects.
What to do:
- Blood test checks immunity
- If not immune, get MMR vaccine
- Wait 1 month after vaccination before conceiving
Chickenpox (Varicella)
Why it matters: Chickenpox during pregnancy can harm the baby.
What to do:
- Blood test checks immunity
- If not immune, get vaccinated
- Wait 1 month before conceiving
Hepatitis B
Screening recommended – can be transmitted to baby during birth if mother is infected.
Vaccination Updates
Get these vaccines BEFORE pregnancy:
Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis):
- Protects baby from whooping cough
- Can get during pregnancy too, but ideal before
Flu Vaccine:
- Get annual flu shot
- Safe during pregnancy as well
COVID-19 Vaccine:
- Recommended before and during pregnancy
- Protects both you and baby
Avoid during pregnancy:
- MMR (measles, mumps, rubella)
- Varicella (chickenpox)
- These are live vaccines – get before conceiving
Managing Existing Conditions
PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome)
Before pregnancy:
- Achieve healthy weight (even 5-10% loss improves fertility)
- Regulate periods through lifestyle or medication
- Control insulin resistance
- Optimize nutrition
Well-managed PCOS improves conception chances and pregnancy outcomes.
Diabetes
Pre-pregnancy goals:
- HbA1c below 6.5% (ideally below 6%)
- Daily blood sugar monitoring
- Medication adjustment (some diabetes drugs aren’t safe in pregnancy)
- Meet with diabetes educator
Good control prevents birth defects and complications.
Thyroid Disorders
Hypothyroidism:
- TSH should be below 2.5 before conception
- Medication dose may need adjustment
- Regular monitoring
Hyperthyroidism:
- Controlled before pregnancy
- Some medications need changing
- Endocrinologist consultation
High Blood Pressure
Before pregnancy:
- Blood pressure under control (below 140/90)
- Medication review (some aren’t safe in pregnancy)
- Lifestyle modifications
- Establish baseline
Uncontrolled hypertension increases pre-eclampsia risk.
Other Conditions
Discuss with your doctor:
- Epilepsy (medication adjustment)
- Asthma (ensure well-controlled)
- Autoimmune disorders
- Mental health conditions
- Previous pregnancy complications
When to Schedule Your Visit
Ideal timing: 3-6 months before trying to conceive
This gives you time to:
- Complete all testing
- Get vaccinations
- Start supplements (especially folic acid)
- Optimize existing conditions
- Make lifestyle changes
- Address any concerns
Already trying? See your doctor now. It’s never too late to optimize your health.
What to Bring to Your Appointment
Prepare this information:
- Your medical history
- Current medications and supplements
- Previous pregnancy history (if any)
- Family medical history
- Menstrual cycle information
- Questions and concerns
Partner should attend too – his health matters for fertility and pregnancy outcomes.
Questions to Ask Your Doctor
Essential questions:
- Do I need any vaccinations before pregnancy?
- Are my current medications safe during pregnancy?
- Should I take any supplements besides prenatal vitamins?
- Do I need to see any specialists before conceiving?
- How long should we try before seeking fertility help?
- Are there any dietary changes I should make?
- What’s a healthy weight for me to conceive?
- Do I have any risk factors for pregnancy complications?
Write down your questions beforehand – it’s easy to forget in the moment.
Dental Check-Up
Don’t forget your teeth!
Why dental care matters:
- Gum disease linked to preterm birth
- Pregnancy affects oral health
- Some dental work avoided during pregnancy
Before conceiving:
- Complete dental exam
- Address cavities or gum issues
- Professional cleaning
- Establish good oral hygiene routine
Genetic Counseling (If Needed)
Consider genetic counseling if:
- Family history of genetic disorders
- Previous baby with birth defect
- Multiple miscarriages
- You or partner have genetic condition
- Advanced maternal age (35+)
- Ethnic groups with higher risk for certain conditions
Counselor can:
- Assess your risk
- Discuss testing options
- Explain inheritance patterns
- Help you make informed decisions
Your Pre-Pregnancy Health Checklist
✓ Schedule pre-conception appointment
✓ Complete blood tests (CBC, blood sugar, thyroid, blood type)
✓ Check immunity (rubella, chickenpox)
✓ Update vaccinations
✓ Start prenatal vitamins with folic acid (400-800 mcg)
✓ Optimize existing health conditions
✓ Review medications with doctor
✓ Dental check-up
✓ Achieve healthy weight (if needed)
✓ Quit smoking and alcohol
✓ Reduce caffeine
✓ Start healthy lifestyle habits
Partner’s Health Check
His health matters too!
Recommend he:
- Quit smoking (affects sperm quality)
- Limit alcohol
- Take multivitamin with zinc
- Maintain healthy weight
- Manage chronic conditions
- Avoid excessive heat (hot tubs, saunas)
- Reduce stress
Healthy sperm = healthier pregnancy.
After Your Check-Up
Follow through:
- Complete recommended tests
- Start suggested medications/supplements
- Schedule specialist visits if needed
- Make lifestyle changes
- Track your menstrual cycle
- Have sex regularly (every 2-3 days around ovulation)
Give yourself 3 months of preparation for optimal results.
Remember
Taking time to prepare your body for pregnancy is one of the best gifts you can give your future baby. Most pregnancy complications are preventable with proper pre-conception care.
You’re not just preparing for pregnancy – you’re preparing for parenthood. Start strong.