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Getting antsy about not getting pregnant yet? Or planning ahead and wondering what you should be doing to prepare?
Preconception care and counseling can make a big difference in your fertility journey.
Based on current research, a preconception checkup was associated with a 17% decrease in neonatal deaths. And these checkups are also associated with a 39% increase in seeking prenatal care during pregnancy.
Basically, preconception appointments are helpful for two main reasons. One, they have the potential to improve your health prior to conceiving. Two, they can lead to better pregnancy outcomes.
But what does a preconception checkup entail, and how do you go about getting one? We’re about to answer all these questions for you, so keep reading!
Key Takeaways
- A preconception appointment includes a physical exam and a chat about your medical history. For some couples, it could also involve genetic testing to see if either partner is prone to certain genetic conditions that could be passed down.
- Preconception counseling may help you proactively manage conditions that can make it take longer for you to get pregnant.
- The several months leading up to pregnancy are important for your health and your future baby’s health. This is why it’s important to be proactive with your own health and manage any potential health problems ahead of your future pregnancy.
- If possible, try to consult with your doctor about your TTC plans at least a few months ahead of time.
- Based on how your preconception screening goes, your doctor may suggest follow-up measures. This could include making lifestyle changes and taking certain vitamins and supplements.
What Is a Preconception Checkup, and Why Should You Get One?
A preconception checkup is a medical checkup with your doctor prior to TTC (Trying To Conceive).
Why would an exam of this nature be necessary if you’re not even pregnant yet?
A preconception appointment is all about awareness and proactivity. It helps you see if you have any conditions that could impact your ability to get pregnant or have a healthy pregnancy.
Think of it like using the GPS app Waze which alerts you to any obstacles that are coming up on your path ahead. But instead, you’re getting more direction for your fertility journey.
That way, if there are health-related challenges that you’re more likely to face, you can take proactive measures to overcome them. (Leading to less overwhelm, stress, and maybe even heartbreak down the road.)
There’s one more reason that preconception counseling appointments are so vital.
The first 8 weeks of pregnancy are when all of a baby’s major organs develop. But most pregnant women won’t find out they’re even pregnant until 4 or 5 weeks pregnant, sometimes later.
So to ensure you’re creating the optimal conditions for a healthy pregnancy and healthy baby right from the start, there are things you’ll want to do well before you even get pregnant.
So what can you expect when you actually go see your doctor for the appointment? And how far before TTC should you schedule it? Keep reading for more guidance on these two questions next!
When Should You Get a Preconception Checkup?
There’s no true timeline per se. But a good rule of thumb is: the sooner the better.
If possible, coordinate your preconception visit to be a few months before you start your TTC journey. Then you won’t feel like you’re having to delay your pregnancy journey if there are extra measures you have to take.
Have a routine gyno appointment coming up soon? Tell your OB-GYN about your plans for trying to get pregnant. Then they can have their office reach out to you to schedule a preconception checkup.
Not in the habit of having an annual checkup or you don’t have one in the near future? No need to stress! Simply call your doctor’s office. Or begin researching a doctor you’d like to go to. Keep in mind that some OB-GYN offices may be booked out farther than others. So the sooner you reach out, the sooner they secure you an appointment.
What Happens at a Preconception Checkup?
There are three key aspects to a preconception checkup:
1. A general check-in about your overall health and medical history
When you see your doctor about your plans to conceive, they’ll have a conversation with you about:
- Your lifestyle and dietary habits – Your activity levels, weight, and eating habits can play a big role in conception.
- Your medical history – Conditions like hypertension, thyroid disease, and diabetes are important to know of.
- Your family’s medical history – This is to see if there are any genetic conditions you may be more prone to. And also to be aware of any instances of miscarriages or diseases within your lineage.
- Medications or supplements you’re currently taking – Outside of prescribed medications and birth control, this can include vitamins, herbs, or creams.
- Vaccinations – Vaccination guidelines vary based on where in the world you live. But the latest CDC guidance recommends that those TTC are up-to-date with vaccines. The major ones include mumps, measles, and rubella (MMR).
- Your gynecological history – This refers to things like how often you get your menstrual period, if you’re taking any contraception, and any infections (like STIs) or conditions (like endometriosis) related to your reproductive organs.
- Any previous pregnancies or miscarriages – If you’ve been pregnant before, regardless of the outcome, it’s helpful for your doctor to know.
Feel like this is a lot of ground to cover in one checkup? It’s completely understandable if you feel that way!
But remember, each of these pieces of information is a vital aspect of your overall fertility. And they’ll help your doctor give you tailored guidance on how to best prepare for pregnancy.
Also keep in mind that if you’ve been seeing a healthcare professional already, they may already have some of this information in your file!
Wondering how you can best prepare yourself for this appointment?
- Jot down any questions or concerns you want to be sure to get answered
- Gather information about your family’s health history
Doing these two things prior to your first preconception appointment can make the whole process feel less overwhelming.
2. A physical exam
Outside of your health history, your healthcare provider will also do an exam.
A preconception exam usually involves:
- Getting an up-to-date height and weight
- Checking your heart rate and blood pressure
- Looking at your genital area (to observe signs of infections or lesions)
- Having a pelvic exam (which looks at your vagina, vulva, uterus, and ovaries)
- Getting a Pap smear (if you’re due for one) for a better picture of your cervical health
3. Preconception testing
On top of the physical exam, your doctor may also order you some lab testing (including urine and blood tests).
Here’s a rundown of the lab testing that they may recommend for you:
- Preconception blood tests:
- A complete blood count
- Blood type
- Rh typing (to see if you’re Rh positive or Rh negative)
- Glucose levels
- Infections like gonorrhea, chlamydia, hepatitis B, HIV, and syphilis
- Preconception urine tests:
Urine tests are a bit more simple. Your doctor may have you get a urine sample to see the status of your diabetes or determine if you have a urinary tract infection (UTI).
Preconception genetic screening:
A genetic carrier screening can help you see if you or your partner have genes that are associated with diseases or medical conditions that could be passed on to your baby.
There is a silver lining to all this testing! These screenings aren’t actually necessary for everyone. Your doctor will likely recommend genetic testing only if:
- You or your partner have a family history of a genetic disease
- If you an aspect of your health would make you more prone to a high-risk pregnancy
If you do have to have a pre-pregnancy genetic screening though, try not to stress too much. They’re pretty simple. You typically either get a blood draw or have the inside of your cheek swabbed.
What to Expect After a Preconception Checkup?
Based on how your initial appointment goes, your doctor may recommend some things to do before getting pregnant.
Here are some preconception steps they may have you take:
1. Adjusting your diet
What you consume regularly plays an important role in your overall health and fertility. Eat a hormone-balancing diet that is rich in beneficial nutrients (think: more vegetables and whole foods and less refined sugars and processed foods).
It’s wise to get specific nutritional recommendations from your doctor. But here are some resources that are helpful to consult as well:
- Diet and Fertility: Eat Your Way to Better Baby Odds!
- Choosemyplate.gov – a tool created by the US Department of Agriculture to help you make healthier food choices
2. Altering your exercise regimen
Aim for around 150 minutes of moderate physical activity each week. That’s about 40 minutes a day for 5 days of the week. It’s also a good idea to include muscle-strengthening exercises at least twice a week.
Of course, this guidance is a general starting point. Your ideal workout routine depends on your unique health history and your current fitness level.
If you’re an athlete and you train much more than this already, ask your doctor for guidance on how to adjust your training to your fertility goals.
The same goes for if you’re not already in the habit of exercising. Talk to your doctor about the ways you can build up to 150 minutes a week to avoid injuring yourself.
3. Maintain a healthy weight
Being under or over your ideal body weight can impact your chances of pregnancy. If you’re not already at your target weight, ask your doctor for further guidance on lifestyle changes to make.
4. Make sleep a priority
Sleep is vital for overall health and fertility. Getting between 7-9 hours of uninterrupted sleep each night is optimal for your hormonal balance.
5. Manage your stress
Stress and anxiety that go unmanaged can interfere with ovulation and your hormonal balance. Your doctor may have you explore stress management practices. Some great options are deep breathing, meditation, journaling, and EFT (tapping).
6. Making other lifestyle changes
It may be necessary to make some other changes too. Your doctor may recommend limiting your caffeine intake to no more than 200-300 mg per day.
Know more: Does Caffeine Affect Fertility and Pregnancy?
If you take certain supplements or medications or consume alcohol, smoke, or use other drugs, they can give you guidance on how to wean off of these safely.
7. Taking prenatal vitamins (including folic acid)
Your doctor is likely to recommend you begin taking a prenatal vitamin with folic acid (usually at least 400 mcg/day). The ideal timeframe to start this is in the month or two before TTC.
Know more: Vitamins for Fertility: Supplements to Take When TTC
In some cases, your doctor may recommend that you take an even higher dose. For example, with twins or multiples, you may need to take an additional dose on top of your prenatal. And in the case of having a history of neural tube birth defects, you may be told to take as much as 4 mg of folic acid 3 months prior to TTC.
8. Managing your medical conditions
Have a condition like asthma, thyroid issues, diabetes, or high blood pressure?
Ask your doctor how you can safely manage these conditions before and eventually during pregnancy. There may be a weaning process you need to implement to safely get off of certain medications prior to conceiving.
Other Tips for Your TTC Journey
Wondering what else you can do to prepare for pregnancy besides getting your preconception checkup?
Here are 6 extra considerations we recommend:
- Begin (or continue) carefully tracking your cycles. The Inito fertility monitor is great for this as it helps you better understand your unique hormone and ovulation trends.
- Create and lean into your support system so you have go-to people you can turn to for support when you need it. The Inito Fertility Support Group is a great place to feel uplifted on your fertility journey!
- Keep your dental health in check. It may sound off topic, but your dental health becomes vulnerable during pregnancy due to all the hormonal changes. These changes can cause inflammation of your gums, which can lead to pregnancy gingivitis. If not taken care of, this could lead to gum disease or increase your risk of preterm delivery.
- Encourage your partner to also have a thorough medical exam too. Fertility is more than a one-person gig.
- Prioritize your mental health. Regularly engage in mindfulness and grounding practices. And if needed, seek support from a licensed therapist. The connection between mind and body is stronger than we realize!
- Be gracious with yourself. Trying for a baby is a big step and sometimes an overwhelming journey. Avoid overdoing it and practice self-love as often as you can.
FAQs
It all depends on both you and your partner’s health, and if you’re having intercourse within your fertile window. Age is an important factor too. In general, it’s recommended to see a doctor or fertility specialist if:
- You’re under 35 years and have been trying for a year or longer
- You’re 35 years or older and have been trying for 6 months or longer
Prior to TTC, here are some steps to take:
- Optimize your overall health (including changes to exercise, sleep, stress, etc.)
- Schedule and prioritize a preconception checkup with your healthcare provider to discuss your timeline for TTC
- Eat a balanced diet focusing on fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, and whole foods and try cutting out refined sugars and processed foods
- Ask your healthcare provider about vitamins and supplements you should take
- Manage any health conditions you have and ask your doctor if the medications you are taking are safe for conception and pregnancy
- Track your cycle so you can learn your unique hormonal patterns and the timing of ovulation
It’s a good idea to consult your healthcare provider about prenatals and other supplements while TTC. You may be able to alter your diet to ensure you’re getting many of the essential nutrients to prepare your body for a baby. You can get many of these from eating a well-balanced diet. But sometimes it may still be necessary to get an extra boost from supplementation.
If you decide to supplement for fertility purposes, usually 2-3 months ahead of time is a solid timeline. Besides a regular prenatal vitamin, here are some supplements to ask your doctor about:
- Folic acid
- Vitamins D and E
- Myo-inositol
- Omega-3 fatty acids
- CoQ10
If you’re under the age of 40 and are regularly TTC, there’s an 80% chance of getting pregnant within one year. If it’s already been a year or you’re over 40 and have been trying for 6 months with no baby, consider talking to a fertility specialist.
