Many women have questions before having their first child, which is why scheduling a pre-conception appointment with your obstetrician is so helpful.
A pre-conception checkup is a medical checkup you get before pregnancy to help make sure you’re healthy when you get pregnant. According to the March of Dimes, a pre-conception checkup is important even if you’ve already had a baby and below are a few topics that should be discussed with your physician during your appointment:
- Review of your gynecologic and obstetric history.  If you experienced problems in earlier pregnancies, such as preterm birth or gestational diabetes, you may have an increased risk of the same complications in subsequent pregnancies.
- Review medications that you’re currently taking.  You should use the fewest and safest medications at the lowest possible dosages during this time.
- Review of your family history. Genetic conditions could complicate a pregnancy, so your obstetrician may refer you and your partner to a genetic counselor for further testing and consultation.
- Screen for mental health issues. Depression and anxiety, for example, can be affected by the hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy. As with any medication, those used to treat these conditions may affect your fetus, so a treatment plan should be established in coordination with your mental health care provider.
- Evaluate vaccine history. Some immunizations are unsafe to receive during pregnancy, so all women of reproductive age should be reviewed annually to confirm they are protected against tetanus-diphtheria toxoid/diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis; measles, mumps, and rubella; and varicella.
- Discuss diet and exercise and the importance of a healthy body mass index.  If you are over or underweight, now is the time to ensure you are eating a well-balanced diet and drinking plenty of water.
- Advise on safety measures. This includes taking multivitamins with folic acid to prevent neural tube defects, as well as calcium, protein, and iron, and behavioral changes such as avoiding alcohol, smoking, and drugs.
- Assess environmental exposures.  You may be facing environmental exposures at home and in the workplace. Certain substances can be harmful to pregnant women, such as radiation, heavy metals, solvents, and pesticides. 
To speak with a St. Vincent Evansville physician or nurse about the importance of pre-conception checkups, please contact me at 812-485-4897.
