Preconception Care

Preconception is a great time to focus on your health and make sure you are in optimum pre-pregnancy health. 

There is a lot of planning for pregnancy. Families must decide when is the “right time” and there may be financial, professional and relationship considerations. Then there is the process of preconception care. 

It is well-known that nutrition, diet and lifestyle factors affect reproductive health. 

See your GP before you start trying for a baby

Before you start trying to conceive a baby, we suggest that you see your GP to check your medical history and make sure you are in peak pre-pregnancy health. This includes blood test checks for rubella and chicken pox, pap smears and breast checks, as well as a review of any medications you are currently taking.

Weight, exercise and diet play an important role in determining your chances of pregnancy success. This can be the time to;

• Explore a healthy, nutritious and balanced diet with lots of fruit and vegetables, fresh fruit and lean protein
• Stop smoking and stop recreational drug use
• Minimise alcohol consumption
• Reduce caffeine intake to 1-2 cup of coffee per day and 2-3 cups of tea per day
• Optimise weight
• Keep active
• It is recommended that women take 500mcg of folic acid one month prior to, and in the first 3 months of pregnancy and men may consider a men’s fertility multi vitamin
• Avoid exposure to chemicals, pesticides, heavy metals and radiation
• Understand your fertility window. Women are most fertile in the days leading up to ovulation – typically days 10 through 16 after the first day of your last period

The other important factor to consider is age. A woman’s fertility declines with age and it's very important that if you experience any problems at all, that you don't leave it too late to seek medical advice.

We recommend that, in the absence of an obvious cause for infertility, women 35 years of age or younger seek advice if not pregnant after 12 months of trying. Women over the age of 35 years should seek advice if not pregnant after six months of trying.

Create Health is home to leading specialists in fertility, pregnancy care and women’s health. We’re here to support your pregnancy journey from conception to birth and beyond.