Get ready for pregnancy

• Having a healthy baby someday starts well before pregnancy.
• You and your partner should start making healthy choices now.
• Eating right and getting fit are some ways to get healthy.

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One of the most important steps you can take to have a healthy pregnancy is to see your health care provider before you conceive. Ideally, you should see the provider who will take care of you during pregnancy, but you can also visit your primary care provider. The goals of a checkup before pregnancy are to:

• Evaluate your health
• Identify health and lifestyle risks that may affect your pregnancy

Here's what usually happens at a checkup before pregnancy.

Your family history
Your provider will ask about your family history. A family history includes medical information about you, your partner and your families. If any of you have certain birth defects or disorders, you may need to see a genetic counselor. You may also need to have special tests to see if these problems could be passed to your baby.

Medical conditions
Your provider will explain how pregnancy might affect any medical conditions you have. If you have a condition like epilepsy, diabetes or high blood pressure, you may need to take special care during pregnancy. For example, if you take medications, your provider may ask you to change to a drug that is safer during pregnancy.

Medications you're taking
Your provider will review any medications you're already talking. These include prescription, over-the-counter and herbal medicines. Some medicines are not safe to use during pregnancy.

Vaccinations you may need
Catching a disease like chickenpox or rubella (German measles) during pregnancy can harm your baby. Before you get pregnant, make sure you're immune to these diseases. You're immune if:

• You've had the disease.
• You've had an immunization shot.

If you don't know if you're immune, you can have a blood test to find out. If you need a shot, wait at least one month after the shot before trying to get pregnant. If you plan to travel to another country, you may need other shots to help keep you safe from disease.

March 2007