Ideally, you should have a body mass index (BMI) between 19 and 25. She can measure your blood pressure during this appointment.īeing overweight or underweight may affect your fertility, and can cause complications for you and your baby if you do conceive. If you aren’t sure whether your blood pressure is high, book for a prenatal check-up with your GP. This will allow your midwife to better monitor how it changes when you become pregnant, and offer you extra support if needed. However, if you have previously been diagnosed with high blood pressure, it's helpful for your GP to record the exact measurement now, before you conceive. In most cases, your midwife will simply monitor your blood pressure once you have conceived. High blood pressure in pregnancy is quite common, especially if you're overweight. STIs don't always have symptoms, so it's worth getting checked out if you've ever had unprotected sex, including oral sex.

However, by closely monitoring and maintaining your blood sugar, you can help reduce these risks.Ĭonsider going to your local sexual health clinic to get tested for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). For example, if you have diabetes, your baby's at a higher risk of certain defects.

They won't be offered routinely, so it's important to speak to your GP if you have any concerns about your health.ĭiagnosing conditions early means there's more your GP can do to support you as you try to conceive. These can check for a whole host of problems, including conditions like diabetes and anaemia, as well as infections. If you're due to have cervical screening in the next year or so, ask your GP or practice nurse whether they recommend having it done before you start trying. This is because your cervix changes a little during this time. Your GP can then advise you on any potential complications you may encounter when trying for a baby, or after you conceive.Ĭervical screening (also known as a cervical smear or smear test) isn't reliable during pregnancy. If possible, let her know about any health problems that run in your families, including whether any close female relatives had pregnancy complications. Make sure your GP knows about any health issues you or your partner have had in the past. If you have any concerns about coming off contraception, discuss them with your GP.

However, in most other cases, the type of contraceptive you use or were using won't affect how long it takes to get pregnant. And if you're coming off the pill, it may take up to six months for your cycle to settle into a regular pattern. It may then take three months to a year for your normal fertility to return. If you've had the contraceptive injection, it can take up to 12 weeks for the active hormones to leave your body. Here are some of the ways to prepare your body for pregnancy. You can discuss any concerns you have and get advice about changes you can make for a healthier pregnancy. You could ask your GP for a prenatal check-up, about three months to a year before you start trying to conceive. One way of giving your baby the best start in life is to make sure you're in tip-top health yourself before you get pregnant.

Planning for a baby checklist