I think we're ready to start a family! What should I know about health care before I get pregnant?– Skyler Ideally, prenatal care should start before a woman gets pregnant. If you're planning a pregnancy, see your health care provider for a complete checkup. Routine testing can make sure you're in good health and that you don't have any illnesses or other conditions that could affect your pregnancy. If you've been having any unusual symptoms, this is a good time to report them. If you're already being treated for a chronic condition — such as diabetes, asthma, high blood pressure, a heart problem, allergies, lupus, depression, or another condition — talk to your doctor about whether it could affect a pregnancy. You may need to change or stop some medicines — especially during the first trimester (12 weeks) — to reduce risk to the fetus. Or, you may need to be even more careful about managing your condition. For example, women with diabetes must take extra care to keep their blood sugar levels under control — both before they try to conceive and during pregnancy. This is also a good time to talk with your health care provider about any habits that could be a risk to your baby, such as drinking alcohol or smoking. Ask about taking a prenatal vitamin that has folic acid, calcium, and iron. It's especially important for women who plan to become pregnant to take vitamins with folic acid because neural tube defects (problems with the development of the spine and nervous system) happen in the first 28 days of pregnancy, often before a woman even knows she's pregnant. If you or your partner have a family history of a genetic disorder and think either of you may be a carrier, genetic testing may be wise. Talk this over with your health care provider, who can refer you to a genetic counselor if necessary. It's also a good idea to: Start cutting back on caffeine. Eat a balanced, healthy diet. Exercise regularly. Also, make sure your immunizations are up to date and get your annual flu shot. If you find out that you're pregnant before you do all of this, don't worry. It's not too late to get the care that you and your baby need. Back to Articles Related Articles Pregnancy Precautions: FAQs Moms-to-be have a lot of questions about what's safe during pregnancy. Keep your sanity by knowing what you can - and can't - do before your baby arrives. Read More Folic Acid and Pregnancy One of the most important things you can do to help prevent serious birth defects in your baby is to get enough folic acid every day - especially before conception and during early pregnancy. Read More A Week-by-Week Pregnancy Calendar Our week-by-week illustrated pregnancy calendar is a detailed guide to all the changes taking place in your baby - and in you! Read More Eating During Pregnancy To eat well during pregnancy, your extra calories should come from nutritious foods that contribute to your baby's growth and development. Read More Medical Care During Pregnancy The sooner in pregnancy good care begins, the better for the health of both moms and their babies. Here's what to expect. Read More Pregnancy & Newborn Center Advice and information for expectant and new parents. Read More Exercising During Pregnancy Most women benefit greatly from exercising throughout their pregnancies. But during that time, you'll need to make a few changes to your normal exercise routine. Read More Prenatal Genetic Counseling Genetic counselors work with people who are either planning to have a baby or are pregnant to determine whether they carry the genes for certain inherited disorders. Find out more. Read More Pregnant or Breastfeeding? Nutrients You Need Learn which nutrients you need while pregnant or breastfeeding, and easy ways to add them to your diet. Read More 10 Things That Might Surprise You About Being Pregnant Here are 10 common surprises that can come with pregnancy. Read More Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor. © 1995-2021 KidsHealth®. All rights reserved. Images provided by The Nemours Foundation, iStock, Getty Images, Veer, Shutterstock, and Clipart.com.