Pre-Conception Counseling

So you think you’re ready to have a baby? Now is an excellent time to schedule an appointment with your OB/GYN at Louisiana Women’s Healthcare. Pre-conception counseling allows your physician to provide highly specialized advice on how you can best prepare for pregnancy.

What is pre-conception counseling?

To give yourself and your baby the best chance at a healthy pregnancy, your health care should begin before you even conceive. Pre-conception counseling is a process of preparing you both mentally and physically for pregnancy. Your OB/GYN identifies issues that could interfere with pregnancy so you can address them.

Do I need to see my OB/GYN before getting pregnant?

The pregnancy specialists at Louisiana Women’s Healthcare strongly encourage a preconception appointment for anyone who is thinking about starting a family. A fetus grows and develops rapidly the first eight weeks after conception, a time when many moms don’t even know they’re pregnant. By preparing beforehand, you can help promote the best outcomes. Your OB/GYN addresses your health and lifestyle choices and conducts testing to improve your chances of getting pregnant. Your preconception appointment also allows you to meet with your provider and make sure your obstetrician is a good fit.

What should I expect at my first preconception appointment?

Some of the topics you and your OB/GYN may discuss during your pre-conception appointment include:

Your current, past, and family medical history
Your reproductive history (prior pregnancies, birth control choices, pap test results)
Your lifestyle (exercise, diet, caffeine and alcohol intake)

What types of tests are done at a pre-conception appointment?

Your provider can order urine and blood tests to check for signs of the following:

Infection
STDs
Blood type and Rh factor
Vitamin D levels
Thyroid function
Diabetes
Iron deficiency

You can also discuss more specialized genetic testing for inherited conditions with your physician.

What are the benefits of pre-conception counseling?

Your preconception appointment lays the best possible groundwork for your pregnancy. You can rest assured you’ve made all the physical preparations you need to carry a baby. Your appointment also gives you a chance to ask any questions you have before getting pregnant. If you feel overwhelmed and confused by all the information you find online and in books, your doctor can provide straightforward, authoritative advice. Preconception counseling also helps you boost your chances of conception. Your healthcare provider can help you track your cycles and provide fertility guidance. If you’re thinking about starting a family, make an appointment with an OB/GYN at Louisiana Women’s Healthcare.