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Preconception planning: Is your body ready for pregnancy?
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What type of birth control have you been using?
Are your vaccines current?
Do you have any chronic medical conditions?
Are you taking any medications or supplements?
Are you at risk of a sexually transmitted infection?
Do you have a family history of any specific medical conditions?
How old are you and your partner?
Have you been pregnant before?
Does your current lifestyle support a healthy pregnancy?
Have you been pregnant before?
Your health care provider will ask about previous pregnancies. Be sure to mention any complications you might have had, such as high blood pressure, gestational diabetes, preterm labor, premature birth or birth defects, or pregnancies that required a C-section.
If you had a previous pregnancy involving a neural tube defect or any of your first-degree relatives such as siblings were born with neural tube defects, your health care provider will likely recommend a higher daily dose of folic acid than what's found in most prenatal vitamins.
If you have any concerns or fears about another pregnancy, share them with your health care provider. He or she will help you understand the best ways to boost your chances of a healthy pregnancy.
