Preconception Health: What to Sort Out Before You Start Trying
Preconception health is the care you give your body and general wellbeing in the months before you try to conceive. The idea is simple. Many of the factors that support a healthy pregnancy are best addressed before you start trying, rather than once you are already pregnant, so a little planning goes a long way.
A preconception check is not only for people with health concerns. It suits anyone thinking about a pregnancy in the next year, and it applies to both partners. Aiming to prepare around three months ahead is a reasonable rule of thumb, though earlier is fine.
The goal is not perfection. It is to identify and manage anything worth attending to, from nutrition to existing conditions, so you can start trying feeling informed and prepared. A clinician can help you work through what is relevant to your own situation.
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One of the most established steps is taking folic acid before conception and in early pregnancy, because it reduces the risk of neural tube defects such as spina bifida. Australian guidance recommends starting at least one month before trying and continuing through the first trimester. A clinician can advise the right dose for you, as some people need more.
A balanced diet with plenty of vegetables, fruit, wholegrains and iron-rich foods supports the groundwork. Iodine is also important for pregnancy, and many people take a supplement that includes it. If you have had low iron in the past, it is worth checking, and an iron studies blood test measures your stores.
Some nutrients are commonly low, including vitamin B12, particularly in plant-based diets. Our article on vitamin B12 deficiency explains the signs and when to test. A GP can tailor supplement advice rather than leaving you to guess.
Before pregnancy it is worth confirming you are protected against certain infections that can affect a baby, including rubella and chickenpox. A simple blood test can check your immunity, and any needed vaccinations are best given before conception rather than during pregnancy. Your GP can review your immunisation history and arrange what is missing.
Cervical screening should be up to date, and depending on your history a clinician may suggest checking for sexually transmitted infections, since some can affect fertility and pregnancy if untreated. A general health review, sometimes including a full blood count, helps pick up anything that is easier to manage before you are pregnant, and you can see how to get a pathology referral online to arrange the bloods.
None of this is about creating hurdles. It is about handling the straightforward preventive steps early, so that once you are pregnant the focus can be on your pregnancy rather than catching up on checks that could have been done beforehand.
Everyday habits influence fertility and pregnancy for both partners. Stopping smoking is one of the most valuable changes, as smoking affects egg and sperm health and pregnancy outcomes. Reducing alcohol is recommended, and the safest approach when trying to conceive is to avoid it. Cutting back on caffeine to moderate levels is also sensible.
Reaching a weight in a healthy range can support fertility and reduce pregnancy risks, and this applies to both partners. The aim is gradual, sustainable change rather than crash dieting, which is not helpful when you are preparing to conceive. Regular movement, decent sleep and managing stress all contribute.
These changes take time to have an effect, which is another reason to start a few months ahead. A clinician can help you prioritise the changes likely to make the biggest difference for you, rather than trying to overhaul everything at once.
If you have an ongoing condition such as diabetes, high blood pressure, a thyroid disorder or a mental health condition, it is worth reviewing it before pregnancy. Some conditions are best stabilised beforehand, and some medications need a clinician's review to check they are suitable when trying to conceive. Never stop a prescribed medicine without advice.
Your menstrual cycle is also useful information. If your periods are irregular, that can affect timing and may point to a condition worth assessing. Our guide to irregular periods, ovulation and fertility explains how to track your cycle and when to seek help.
Conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome are common and manageable. Our guide to PCOS symptoms, diagnosis and treatment covers what to expect. A clinician can help you plan around any condition so you feel supported rather than uncertain.
Sort out tests and vaccinations
A good time to book a preconception check is around three months before you plan to start trying, though there is no wrong time to start looking after your health. It is especially worth doing if you are 35 or older, have an existing condition, take regular medication, or have had a previous pregnancy complication.
If you have already been trying without success, a check can shift toward assessment. Our guide to fertility testing in Australia explains which tests women and men can have and when they are appropriate.
The value of a preconception appointment is that it pulls everything together, from supplements and vaccinations to your cycle and any conditions, into one clear plan. Built with a clinician who knows your history, that plan can adapt as your circumstances change over the months ahead.
Abby Health is an online-first clinic, open 7 days a week, bringing back the tradition of continuous care from a clinician who knows your history. If you are planning a pregnancy, you can book a preconception appointment online and choose to see the same clinician each time, so your plan stays joined up.
A GP can discuss folate and supplements, check vaccinations and screening, review any conditions and arrange tests where appropriate. You can book an appointment when it suits you. Bulk billed for eligible patients with a valid Medicare card. Strict eligibility criteria apply.
This article is general information and is not a substitute for personal medical advice. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 000. For everything else, your GP can discuss your options and next steps.
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