Why is a preconception visit important?

A preconception checkup helps your provider treat and sometimes prevent health conditions that may affect your pregnancy. Get one even if you’ve already had a baby. Your health may have changed since you were last pregnant.

What tests should be done before pregnancy?

Blood tests recommended for all women who are pregnant or planning a pregnancy

Blood group and antibody screen.
Rubella (German measles) antibody status.
Syphilis serology.
Midstream urine.
Viral infections.
Cervical cytology (PAP smear)
Vitamin D.
Screening for haemoglobinopathies (blood disorders)

When should I schedule a preconception appointment?

About 3 months before you become pregnant, schedule your preconception care visit. Even if you have already given birth, your health may have changed since your last pregnancy. This is especially important if you have already had a premature birth, a miscarriage, stillbirth, or if you have a child with a birth defect.

What questions should I ask at a preconception visit?

5 Questions to Ask During Your Preconception Checkup

How can I physically prepare my body for pregnancy?
How do I know if I have any risk factors?
How do I know if and when I’m fertile?
How do I know if out-of-hospital birth is right for me?
What if I’m not sure I’m ready to conceive?

How do I prepare for a preconception appointment?

Come to your appointment prepared to fill out a detailed intake form. This means writing down any medications you take and their doses, and talking to your family about their health history.

Should my husband come to my preconception appointment?

Partners should attend. They can learn what is necessary for a healthy pregnancy, what to expect and what to avoid — all while showing their partner they support her.

Should I make a preconception appointment?

A preconception checkup is especially important if you’ve already had a premature baby, a baby with a birth defect, a miscarriage or stillbirth. If certain health conditions run in your family, you may want to see a genetic counselor.

What happens in a preconception appointment?

At your preconception checkup, your provider checks your overall health to make sure your body is ready for pregnancy. You and your provider can talk about: Folic acid. Folic acid is a vitamin that every cell in your body needs for healthy growth and development.

Why do you need a preconception checkup before pregnancy?

KEY POINTS. A preconception checkup is a medical checkup you get before pregnancy to help make sure you’re healthy when you get pregnant. At your preconception checkup, your provider looks for health conditions that may affect your pregnancy and the health of your baby. Get a preconception checkup even if you’ve already had a baby.

Where do I go for my preconception checkup?

If you can, get your preconception checkup with the provider you want to take care of you when you do get pregnant (also called your prenatal care provider). You can choose your prenatal care provider from several different kinds of doctors and nurses. All of these providers can take care of you during pregnancy and can deliver your baby:

What to talk about at a preconception visit?

Any chronic conditions or medical problems you have. Any medical problems that should be treated before conception or will need to be monitored during pregnancy are important to talk about during the preconception visit, so be sure you have all the information about your medical history, including your mental health history, at the ready.

When to go to the doctor for preconception?

If you or your partner live in or recently traveled to an area where Zika virus is prevalent, your practitioner will counsel you about the best conception plan, including whether you should wait before trying to conceive. So be sure you remember all your recent travel locations before you travel to the doctor’s office.

Why is a preconception visit important? A preconception checkup helps your provider treat and sometimes prevent health conditions that may affect your pregnancy. Get one even if you’ve already had a baby. Your health may have changed since you were last pregnant. What tests should be done before pregnancy? Blood tests recommended for all women…