Preconception Care Summary If you are trying to have a baby or are just thinking about it, it is not too early to prepare for a safe pregnancy and a healthy baby. You should speak with your healthcare provider about preconception care. Preconception care is care you receive before you get pregnant. It involves finding and taking care of any problems that might affect you and your baby later, like diabetes or high blood pressure. It also involves steps you can take to reduce the risk of birth defects and other problems. For example, you should take folic acid supplements to prevent neural tube defects. By taking action on health issues before pregnancy, you can prevent many future problems for yourself and your baby. Once you’re pregnant, you’ll get prenatal care until your baby is born. National Center for Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Related Issues Before You’re Pregnant – Methylmercury Food and Drug Administration Facts about Folic Acid Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Getting Fit Before Pregnancy March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation My Reproductive Life Plan Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Vitamins and Other Nutrients during Pregnancy March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation Women of Size and Pregnancy American College of Nurse-Midwives Clinical Trials ClinicalTrials.gov: Fertility National Institutes of Health ClinicalTrials.gov: Preconception Care National Institutes of Health Women Fallopian Tubes: Is Pregnancy Possible with Only One? Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Specifics Getting Pregnant Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Trying to Conceive Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health Start Here Good Health Before Pregnancy: Preconception Care American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Planning for Pregnancy Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Planning your pregnancy March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation Preconception Care and Prenatal Care National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Preconception Health Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health What Can a Woman Do to Promote a Healthy Pregnancy Before She Gets Pregnant? National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Men Healthy Sperm: Improving Your Fertility Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Paternal Age: How Does It Affect a Baby? Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Preconception Health: Men Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Find an Expert March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation National Institute of Child Health and Human Development National Institute of Child Health and Human Development womenshealth.gov Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health Health Check Tools Ovulation and Due Date Calculator Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health Diagnosis and Tests Preconception Carrier Screening American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists What Preconception Tests Might I Need? National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Encyclopedia Pregnancy – identifying fertile days Statistics and Research Pregnancy and Healthy Weight National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Journal Articles Preconception Care Array Steps to take before you get pregnant Prevention and Risk Factors Your Checkup Before Pregnancy March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation
