Preparing for pregnancy starts the moment you decide to try for a baby. A baby's organs begin to develop in the first weeks of pregnancy, often before you even know you are pregnant. That is why reviewing your health before pregnancy gives you a chance to manage possible risks in advance. The World Health Organization and national health authorities also see preconception care as one of the important steps toward a healthy pregnancy.
At the core of preparation is a visit to an OB-GYN. This visit reviews your general health, the medications you take, your vaccination status and your family history. Your doctor may order the blood tests they consider necessary and check your immunity to diseases such as rubella and chickenpox. Folic acid is a step recommended to start at least one month before pregnancy to lower the risk of neural tube defects in the baby; decide the dose and duration with your doctor.
Lifestyle is also a big part of preparation. Quitting smoking and alcohol, limiting caffeine, reaching a healthy weight and staying active have a positive effect on both fertility and the course of pregnancy. Finishing dental treatment before pregnancy also makes things easier. Preparation is not only about you; your partner's health checkup and habits also affect sperm quality and the chance of pregnancy.
What you can do
- Offers 14 preparation steps under doctor and tests, lifestyle, for your partner and follow-up.
- Tick off completed steps and see your progress as a number and a bar.
- Includes an OB-GYN visit, blood tests, vaccine immunity, genetic screening and a dental checkup.
- Covers lifestyle steps such as folic acid, smoking and alcohol, caffeine, weight and exercise.
- Includes separate items for your partner's health checkup and habits.
- Some items link to a related article or to tools such as lab results, the vitamin reminder and the period tracker.
How to use it
- Open the list and go through the steps grouped by section.
- Check the box next to each step you complete.
- For items that need more detail, tap the link to open the related article or tool.
- Note the remaining steps to discuss at your doctor's appointment.
Frequently asked questions
What blood tests should I get before trying to conceive?
Tests commonly ordered before pregnancy include a complete blood count, blood type, thyroid tests, fasting blood sugar, and iron and vitamin levels. Immunity to rubella, chickenpox and hepatitis B may also be checked. Which tests you need depends on your age, health history and family history. That is why it is best to decide the list together with your doctor.
How long before pregnancy should I start folic acid?
It is recommended to start folic acid at least one month before pregnancy and continue through the first months of pregnancy. The goal is to lower the risk of neural tube defects in the first weeks, when the baby's brain and spinal cord are forming. If you have had a pregnancy affected by a neural tube defect or take certain medications, you may need a higher dose. Ask your doctor about the dose and duration.
What vaccines should I get before pregnancy?
Before pregnancy your immunity to diseases such as measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox is checked. If you are not immune, live vaccines are given before pregnancy, and you are advised to avoid getting pregnant for a while afterward. Hepatitis B and flu vaccines may also be considered. Your doctor decides which vaccines you need based on blood tests and your vaccination history.
What should men do before trying to conceive?
A man's health also directly affects the chance of pregnancy. Quitting smoking and alcohol, staying at a healthy weight, eating a balanced diet and not exposing the testicles to heat for long periods support sperm quality. If he has a chronic condition or takes medication regularly, he should talk to his doctor. If pregnancy does not happen within a year, the first step on the male side is usually a semen analysis.