Preconception Visit Checklist: What to Review Before Trying
Preconception care is the planning step before pregnancy. Use this guide to prepare a focused visit with an obstetrician, midwife, primary care clinician, or qualified health professional.
Educational boundary: this article does not diagnose, treat, or replace medical care. Bring personal questions to a clinician who knows your health history.
Bring a one-page health snapshot
Write down current prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines, supplements, allergies, surgeries, previous pregnancy history, mental health history, and chronic conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, thyroid disease, seizure disorder, asthma, autoimmune disease, or heart disease.
Ask about medication and supplement safety
Do not stop prescribed medicine on your own. Ask which medicines should continue, change, or be monitored before conception. A pharmacist can also help identify duplicate ingredients and supplement risks.
Review immunizations and infection risks
Ask whether your vaccine record is complete and whether any immunity testing is appropriate. Some vaccines are recommended before pregnancy, while others are timed differently during pregnancy.
Discuss family history and screening
Ask whether carrier screening, genetic counseling, or specialist input makes sense based on your ancestry, family history, age, or previous pregnancy history.
Set a planning timeline
The visit can turn vague advice into an action plan: what to start now, what to check before trying, and when to return if pregnancy does not happen as expected.
Questions to bring
- Should I start or adjust a prenatal vitamin or folic acid supplement?
- Do any medicines, supplements, or health conditions need review before conception?
- Are my vaccines and immunity status up to date?
- Should I change alcohol, tobacco, vaping, or other substance use before trying?
- Do I need dental, mental health, nutrition, or specialist follow-up?