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 see your health care provider for preconception care.

Preconception care is care you receive before you get pregnant. Your health care provider can help you figure out which steps you need to take now, such as:

• Finding and taking care of any problems that might affect you and your baby later, like diabetes or high blood pressure
• Increasing the amount of folic acid you get to prevent neural tube defects
• Getting up to date on vaccines
• Avoiding smoking, drinking alcohol, or taking drugs
• Trying to reach a healthy weight

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.

NIH: National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

Diagnosis and Tests

• Carrier Screening American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
• What Pre-Pregnancy Tests Might I Need? Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Fertility National Institutes of Health
• ClinicalTrials.gov: Preconception Care National Institutes of Health

Find an Expert

• Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health
• Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
• Find an Ob-Gyn American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
• March of Dimes Foundation March of Dimes Foundation

Women

• Fallopian Tubes: Is Pregnancy Possible with Only One? Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research

Related Issues

• Folic Acid Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Vitamins and Other Nutrients during Pregnancy March of Dimes Foundation

Men

• Healthy Sperm: Improving Your Fertility Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research

NIH MedlinePlus Magazine

• NIH Study Links Opioids to Pregnancy Loss

Start Here

• Planning for Pregnancy Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Planning Your pregnancy March of Dimes Foundation
• Pre-Pregnancy Care and Prenatal Care Eunice Kennedy Shriver 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? Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

Encyclopedia

• Pregnancy – identifying fertile days Medical Encyclopedia

Journal Articles

• Preconception Care

Patient Handouts

• Questions to ask your doctor about getting pregnant Medical Encyclopedia
• Steps to take before you get pregnant Medical Encyclopedia

Specifics

• Trying to Conceive Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health

Prevention and Risk Factors

• Your Checkup before Pregnancy March of Dimes Foundation