PREPARING FOR FUTURE PREGNANCY

Talking to your doctor before conception can improve the chances of becoming pregnant, maintaining a healthy pregnancy, and welcoming a healthy baby. You’ll discuss ways you can improve your overall health, such as:

• Reaching a healthy weight
• Making healthy food choices
• Being physically active
• Caring for your teeth and gums
• Reducing stress
• Avoiding alcohol
• Quitting smoking

Additional topics for discussion may include:

• Family planning and birth control
• Folic acid intake
• Vaccines and screenings
• Managing existing health problems
• Medicines you use
• Illness and how to avoid it
• Hazards in the workplace or home
• You or your partner's family health history
• Problems with prior pregnancies or deliveries
• Family concerns like domestic violence or lack of support

If you’re a man, you should also make changes to improve your own health before fathering a child. Talk to your doctor about your family health history and any medications you use. You can also protect your reproductive health, and that of your partner, by taking the following steps:

• Getting screened for STIs
• Limiting alcohol
• Quitting smoking or using drugs
• Making healthy food choices
• Reducing stress
• Avoiding chemicals or toxins

Drinking, smoking, and drug use can cause problems with sperm production, which may make it harder to achieve pregnancy. Cigarette smoke, as well as other toxins like fertilizers and pesticides, can also have harmful effects.