Your preconception visit should include a discussion about a variety to topics, including:
- Medical conditions (and related medications) that might impact your pregnancy such as hypothyroidism, diabetes, obesity, sexually transmitted diseases, high blood pressure, or anemia.
- Preventative care recommendations, such as making sure your vaccines—like chicken pox or rubella—are up to date. Serious illness and infections can be harmful to an unborn child.
- Breast cancer screening, which may be delayed when pregnant or nursing.
- Family history and possible genetic disorders. Genetic carrier screening tests are available to determine if either parent carries recessive genes for diseases that may affect their child.
- Managing mental health concerns that may impact the mother during and after pregnancy. Your doctor will discuss your current medications and suggest resources to help you manage the stress and anxiety that often come with pregnancy and delivery planning.
“An obstetrician will evaluate your current health, family health history, and help you understand the steps that you can take to have the healthiest pregnancy possible,” says Christina DiVenti, MD, board certified OB/Gyn and Medical Director of Labor and Delivery at Penn Medicine Princeton Health.