One of the best actions you can take toward a healthy pregnancy is preconception planning. It is best to start preparing for a healthy pregnancy up to a year before conception. A visit with your women’s healthcare provider prior to attempting pregnancy will help you to make choices that will improve your health and the health of your future child.

A preconception heath visit includes an evaluation of your overall health and identification of any health or lifestyle risk factors that may affect your fertility and/or future pregnancy. Your midwife or doctor will assist you in being as healthy as possible before and during your pregnancy. A typical preconception planning visit includes the following:

Medical conditions and their potential impact on pregnancy will be discussed.  Certain chronic medical conditions such as high blood pressure, seizure disorders, asthma and diabetes will need to be under control prior to attempting to conceive. It may be necessary to change certain medications to ones that are safer in pregnancy.

Supplements, herbal remedies and medications you are currently taking will be reviewed; some may be harmful in pregnancy.

Birth control methods you have recently used, or are still using will be reviewed and you will discuss when would be the best time to stop.

Vaccinations being up to date, particularly rubella, chickenpox and hepatitis B. These infections can be dangerous to the developing baby if they are contracted during pregnancy. If your immunizations are not complete, or you are unsure of your immune status you may have blood work to assess your immunity and possibly receive vaccines prior to attempting pregnancy.

Sexually transmitted diseases increase your risk of infertility, ectopic pregnancy and other complications in pregnancy. If you are at risk you should be screened and treated prior to attempting pregnancy.

Family history includes the medical and genetic history of both you and your partner along with both of your families. If there is a concern about the risk of birth defects or genetic disorders you may be referred to a genetic counselor and/or be tested for certain genetic disorders.

Previous pregnancies and any complications during those pregnancies and/or births are important to discuss with your healthcare provider. Talk with your midwife or doctor about any concerns you have about future pregnancies. You can work together toward achieving a healthy pregnancy.

Men’s health also plays an important role in a achieving a healthy pregnancy. Infertility issues and pregnancy problems can be reduced when both men and women prepare themselves for conception. Factors that can affect the fertility of both men and women are:

Smoking can cause low sperm count in males and decrease fertility in females. Smoking during pregnancy increases pregnancy complications and decreases the amount of oxygen that the baby receives while developing. Smoking increases your risk of preterm birth, low birth weight, stillbirth and SIDS. The best time for you and/or your partner to stop smoking is before trying to get pregnant. Avoid areas where other people are smoking, second hand smoke is also harmful.

Drinking alcohol can also make it more difficult to conceive by reducing sperm count and increasing the number of abnormal sperm. Alcohol also decreases the ability of the body to absorb important nutrients and minerals that are essential for both men and women prior to pregnancy. No amount of alcohol is safe during pregnancy. A few of the complications caused by fetal alcohol syndrome are birth defects, severe learning disabilities, mental retardation and behavioral problems.

Drugs that are illegal, recreational and/or addictive have a detrimental effect on fertility and pregnancy and should be stopped by both parents prior to trying to get pregnant. Babies exposed to illegal or recreational drugs may go through painful withdraw after birth and are more likely to be born underweight and have learning disabilities and behavioral problems.

If you or your partner has difficulty with the stopping of smoking, drinking alcohol or using illegal, recreational and/or addictive substances ask your heath care provider for help.

Preparing for pregnancy is an exciting and sometimes anxiety producing time. To help decrease your anxiety work with your partner to become as healthy as the two of you can be. Be sure you are taking a prenatal vitamin now, ensuring enough folic acid and the avoidance of mega doses of vitamins that are unsafe in pregnancy. It is helpful to achieve a healthy weight prior to attempting pregnancy to avoid associated complications of being either under or overweight. Start today by changing any unhealthy habits, tune up your diet to include more healthy foods and decrease or eliminate highly processed foods.. Drink lots of water and avoid caffeine, soda and other sweet drinks. Exercise regularly, take walks, swim, and find activities you like to do together. Take the time to do things that will decrease both of your stress levels and have fun!