Pre-Pregnancy Counseling

What is pre-pregnancy counseling?

Pre-pregnancy counseling helps you plan for a healthy pregnancy. It’s a great way to be proactive about your health, which helps you have a healthy baby later. It also gives you a realistic understanding of your health and detects potential problems before you’re pregnant — and before those problems can affect you or your baby’s health. 

With the information you gain from pre-pregnancy counseling, you can make necessary changes and create the best atmosphere to welcome a baby.

Do I need pre-pregnancy counseling?

Pre-pregnancy counseling can be helpful for any woman who plans to have a baby, whether you’re in a high-risk group or you expect to have smooth sailing during pregnancy. 

At South Valley Women's Health Care, the experienced OB/GYN specialists recommend scheduling a pre-pregnancy counseling appointment when you first start thinking of trying for a baby. 

What does pre-pregnancy counseling involve?

Pre–pregnancy counseling includes:

• Physical exam
• Review of your medical history
• Review of past pregnancies and miscarriages
• Lifestyle discussion
• Medication review, and making changes as needed
• Lab tests to detect potential health problems
• Help with managing chronic diseases that can affect your pregnancy, like diabetes 
• Help with weight management
• Supplement recommendations, such as folic acid
• Education about your risks and odds of conception

All of these factors can work together to help you conceive a baby, successfully carry your baby to term, and have the delivery experience you want. 

Do I need genetic testing during pre-pregnancy counseling?

Genetic testing may be part of pre-pregnancy counseling for some women. After a complete medical review, your doctor may let you know about certain potential risk factors for genetic diseases. 

For example, your family medical history, ethnicity, or other factors may mean you have a higher risk of having a baby with a genetic disorder. Genetic blood tests can tell you whether you’re a carrier for diseases, such as cystic fibrosis, sickle cell disease, or fragile X syndrome. 

If you learn you’re a carrier, your doctor will probably recommend that your partner has testing, too. This can help you make an informed decision about having a baby.

All women should feel confident and hopeful during their pregnancy. Pre-pregnancy counseling is very helpful in achieving peace of mind. South Valley Women's Health Care is here for you as you start planning your pregnancy, so call the office or click online scheduling now.