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1. Schedule a preconception visit with your doctor

Before trying to get pregnant, schedule a preconception visit with your doctor or midwife (this is also a good time to decide who your primary healthcare provider will be during your pregnancy). During this visit, you can discuss your health and get advice on how to prepare your body for pregnancy.

2. Evaluate your overall health

If you are diabetic, have high blood pressure, or are overweight or obese, you should collaborate on a plan — whether it be medications or lifestyle changes — to improve your health before becoming pregnant.

3. Ask about your medications

You will also want to tell your doctor about any medications you take. He or she can determine whether they are safe to take while trying to get pregnant or during pregnancy. For example, if you are taking isotretinoin (an acne medication), you must discontinue it in advance of pregnancy. You may also be advised to avoid:

• Aspirin
• Acetaminophen
• Antidepressants
• Antihistamines
• Antibiotics
• Anticoagulants (used to treat blood-clotting disorders)
• Anticonvulsants (used to treat seizure disorders)

You shouldn’t start or stop taking any prescription medications without consulting with your doctor — some medications have benefits that may outweigh the risks.

4. Test for health concerns

During the preconception visit, you may have blood drawn to determine whether you have had rubella or a rubella vaccination, have sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and/or hepatitis, or have other health concerns such as anemia. If you have not had all of your immunizations (especially for rubella) and plan to complete them, it should be done at least three months before getting pregnant.

If serious genetic diseases, such as cystic fibrosis or sickle cell anemia, run in your family, talk to your doctor about whether you or your partner should consider genetic testing before becoming pregnant.

5. Eat a healthy diet

A healthful diet and regular exercise can also help you lose weight if you are overweight. Women who are overweight are at increased risk of high blood pressure and diabetes during pregnancy.

Make sure you are eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and protein — dairy products (you may wish to choose low-fat varieties), nuts and seeds, beans, and lean meats or meat alternatives.

6. Prenatal vitamins

Your doctor or midwife will probably also recommend that you begin taking a prenatal vitamin that contains 400 to 800 micrograms of folate (folic acid), since folate deficiencies during early pregnancy have been associated with increased risk of neural tube defects and spina bifida occulta.

7. Exercise

Aim to get 30 to 60 minutes of moderate physical activity on most days of the week. This can include:

• Walking
• Biking
• Swimming
• Yoga

Some healthcare professionals recommend that you do not increase your physical activity once you are pregnant, so you should ideally establish a regular exercise routine before becoming pregnant. But don’t overdo it — excessive exercise has been associated with difficulty becoming pregnant.


See also:

Exercising During Pregnancy

Pregnancy Diet