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Preconception planning: Is your body ready for pregnancy?
Ideally, preconception planning begins up to a year before conception. Here's what to expect during a preconception appointment.
By Mayo Clinic staffIf you've decided you're ready to get pregnant, you may already be emotionally committed to parenthood. But is your body prepared for the task ahead?
Ideally, preconception planning begins up to a year before conception. To help ensure a healthy pregnancy, schedule a preconception appointment with your health care provider as soon as you begin thinking about pregnancy. Be ready to answer the following questions.
What type of birth control have you been using?
If you've been taking birth control pills, your health care provider may recommend a pill-free break before trying to conceive. This will allow your reproductive system to go through several normal cycles before you conceive — which will make it easier to determine when ovulation occurred and establish an expected due date.
During the pill-free break, you may want to use condoms or another barrier method of contraception.
Are your vaccines current?
Infections such as chickenpox (varicella), German measles (rubella) and hepatitis B can be dangerous for an unborn baby. If your immunizations aren't complete or your immunity to certain infections is unknown, your preconception care may include one or more vaccines — preferably one month or perhaps even longer before you try to conceive.
Do you have any chronic medical conditions?
If you have a chronic medical condition — such as diabetes, asthma or high blood pressure — you'll want to make sure it's under control before you conceive. In some cases, your health care provider may recommend adjusting your medication or other treatments before pregnancy. Your health care provider also will explain any special care you may need during pregnancy.
Are you taking any medications or supplements?
Tell your health care provider about any medications, herbs or supplements you're taking. He or she may recommend changing doses or stopping them completely before you conceive.
This is also the time to start taking prenatal vitamins. Why so early? The baby's neural tube — which becomes the brain and spinal cord — develops during the first month of pregnancy, perhaps before you even know that you're pregnant. Taking prenatal vitamins before conception is the best way to help prevent neural tube defects.
Are you at risk of a sexually transmitted disease?
Sexually transmitted diseases can increase the risk of infertility, ectopic pregnancy — when the fertilized egg implants outside the uterus — and other pregnancy complications. If you're at risk of a sexually transmitted disease, your health care provider may recommend preconception screening and treatment.
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