What Precautions Should I Take While Trying to Conceive?

I think I’m ready to become a parent! As I prepare for pregnancy, what kind of health precautions should I take?
- Jane

If you're trying to become pregnant, you can take many steps to keep yourself healthy and increase the chances of having a safe and healthy pregnancy. It's important to not smoke, and to avoid secondhand smoke, alcohol, and recreational drugs, which could jeopardize your health and your chances of having a healthy pregnancy.

Ask your doctor about other precautions. He or she may recommend that you start taking folic acid, which has been shown to reduce the risk of birth defects, such as spina bifida. Your doctor may also want to screen you for certain health conditions that may affect your pregnancy, such as sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), HIV/AIDS, and obesity, and run blood tests to check for immunity to infections such as rubella and chickenpox. And ask about any changes you might need to make regarding prescription or over-the-counter medications, as some can affect a developing fetus.

For more information, check out these articles.

A Week-by-Week Pregnancy Calendar

Birth Defects
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
Folic Acid and Pregnancy
Staying Healthy During Pregnancy
10 Things That Might Surprise You About Being Pregnant