Preparing for a Healthy Pregnancy
Thinking about starting or growing your family? Prepregnancy counseling is one of the best steps you can take to support a safe pregnancy and a healthy baby. At your visit, we’ll talk about your health, lifestyle, and family goals so we can help you prepare before you conceive.
Why it Matters
Prepregnancy care helps lower risks for both parent and baby by:
Optimizing your health before pregnancy
Addressing medical conditions that may affect pregnancy
Reviewing medications and supplements
Offering genetic and infectious disease screening
Providing guidance on nutrition, exercise, and healthy habits
What We’ll Cover Together
During your visit, we may discuss:
Medical history: Managing conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, thyroid disease, or mood disorders before pregnancy.
Medications & supplements: Making sure everything you take is safe for pregnancy, including prescriptions, vitamins, and herbal products.
Vaccinations: Ensuring you’re up to date on Tdap, MMR, hepatitis B, varicella, and the flu shot.
Genetic screening: Offering the same tests recommended during pregnancy, which may help with planning ahead.
Nutrition & vitamins: Encouraging folic acid before conception to lower the risk of birth defects, along with a balanced diet.
Lifestyle: Support for quitting smoking, stopping drug or alcohol use, and maintaining a healthy weight.
Family planning: Talking about ideal timing between pregnancies and fertility awareness.
Safety & support: Screening for intimate partner violence and connecting you with resources if needed.
Environmental factors: Discussing workplace or home exposures that may impact pregnancy.
Key Takeaways
Ask yourself: “Would I like to become pregnant in the next year?” If the answer is yes (or maybe), now is the time to meet with us.
Even if you aren’t ready right now, it’s helpful to discuss future family goals at your regular visits.
Small changes before pregnancy—like taking folic acid, reviewing medications, or managing chronic conditions—can make a big difference for you and your baby.