Assess Your Health Before Pregnancy, Experts Urge

If there’s a chance that you couldstart a family soon, take time to takestock of your health. The Centersfor Disease Control and Preventionhas issued new guidelines that advisewomen to focus on their healthbefore they become pregnant—for the first time or the next time.

It’s best to check in withyour doctor at least threemonths before conception.During your doctor’s visit,you can review your healthhistory, as well as yourfamily’s. In addition, yourdoctor may advise youto take these steps:

• Get 400 microgramsof folatedaily from a folicacid supplementor multivitamin, orfrom foods such as fortified breakfastcereal. Folate can reduce therisk for birth defects.
• Make sure you’ve had all thevaccinations you need.
• Tell your doctor about anyprescription and over-the-countermedicines you take.
• Stop smoking if you smoke.Women who smoke are at risk ofhaving low-birth-weight babies.
• Avoid alcohol, which can makeit more difficult for somewomen to get pregnant.
• Lose weight if you areoverweight. This canreduce the risks for birthdefects, preterm delivery,and cesarean section.
• Manage any medicalconditions you have, such asasthma or diabetes.