Preconception Care: Preparing for a Healthy Pregnancy

If you are trying to have a baby, or only thinking about it, it is not too early to prepare for a safe pregnancy and a healthy baby. Preconception care is the care you get before you become pregnant, and your health care provider can help you work out which steps to take now.

Steps to take before pregnancy

• Find and manage health problems that could affect you and your baby later, such as diabetes or high blood pressure.
• Get more folic acid, to prevent neural tube defects.
• Catch up on vaccines.
• Avoid smoking, alcohol and drugs.
• Work toward a healthy weight.

Dealing with health issues before pregnancy can prevent many later problems for you and your baby.

After you become pregnant

Once you are pregnant, you will get prenatal care until your baby is born.

Sources

• "Preconception Care," MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine, drawing on the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NIH). https://medlineplus.gov/preconceptioncare.html
• Rewritten in hubnx's own words.