Preconception care is the health planning you do before you start trying to get pregnant. The weeks right after conception, often before a positive test, are when the baby’s brain, spine, and heart begin forming, so the healthiest pregnancies start months earlier. Here is how to plan your conception and pregnancy in 2026.
Six months out: schedule a preconception visit
A preconception visit is an appointment focused on pregnancy planning, and it ties everything together. It covers your health history, past pregnancies, medications, family history, and chronic conditions. Our on-site laboratory can check blood counts, thyroid function, blood sugar, immunity to rubella and chickenpox, and infections that affect pregnancy, all in the same visit.
Ask about genetic carrier screening too. A blood or saliva test can show whether you or your partner carry genes for conditions such as cystic fibrosis or spinal muscular atrophy, and knowing before pregnancy gives you options.
When should I start taking folic acid before pregnancy?
Start a daily prenatal vitamin with at least 400 micrograms of folic acid at least one month before trying, and ideally three. Folic acid lowers the risk of neural tube defects such as spina bifida, and protection depends on having enough in your system in the first weeks after conception. Women with a prior affected pregnancy, diabetes, or those taking certain seizure medications may need a higher prescription dose.
Look for a prenatal that also contains iodine, iron, and vitamin D.
Which medications and vaccines need attention before getting pregnant?
Bring every prescription, over-the-counter medication, and supplement to your visit. Some common ones, including certain blood pressure drugs, acne treatments, and mood stabilizers, are not safe in early pregnancy, and switching takes time. Never stop a prescription on your own.
The measles-mumps-rubella and chickenpox vaccines are live vaccines given at least one month before you conceive, so if your blood work shows you are not immune, now is the window. A flu shot and an up-to-date COVID-19 vaccine are safe at any point. The Tdap vaccine is given during each pregnancy rather than beforehand. These timing recommendations reflect current understanding.
How do I prepare for pregnancy with chronic conditions?
Well-controlled conditions lead to safer pregnancies, and six months is enough time to make real progress. The conditions that most often need tuning are:
- Diabetes or prediabetes, since high blood sugar in the first weeks raises the risk of birth defects. Set an A1c target before you try.
- High blood pressure, because some medications need switching and your baseline should be stable.
- Thyroid disease, where even mild imbalances can affect ovulation and early development.
- Depression, anxiety, asthma, seizure disorders, and autoimmune conditions, which all have pregnancy-safe treatment plans worth arranging in advance.
Also book a dental cleaning, since gum disease is linked to pregnancy complications.
Three months out: weight, exercise, alcohol, and smoking
Being well over or under a healthy weight can make ovulation less regular and raises the risk of gestational diabetes and high blood pressure in pregnancy. Moderate exercise, such as 30 minutes of brisk walking most days, is a habit worth building now, and medical weight loss support is available if you want help getting to a healthier starting point.
Stop smoking, vaping, marijuana, and alcohol before you start trying rather than after a positive test, since the earliest weeks are the ones you cannot see coming. There is no known safe amount of alcohol in pregnancy. Cut caffeine to one or two cups of coffee a day, and ask for help quitting nicotine.
When should I stop birth control to get pregnant?
The pill, patch, ring, and IUD can be stopped or removed whenever you are ready, and most women ovulate again within a few weeks. There is no need to “clear” hormones from your system first. The exception is the birth control shot, which can delay regular cycles for several months to a year after the last dose.
Once you stop, track your cycles. Note the first day of each period and watch for ovulation signs such as clear, stretchy cervical mucus. Two or three cycles of tracking shows whether your periods are regular and when your fertile window falls.
What should my partner do before we try?
Preconception health is a two-person job. Sperm take about three months to develop, so changes your partner makes now affect the sperm present at conception. Quitting smoking, limiting alcohol, eating well, and avoiding hot tubs improve sperm quality. Partners should also review their medications.
Getting your plan started this fall
This checklist does not have to be perfect to be worthwhile. Even folic acid and a medication review alone make a real difference. If you are thinking about pregnancy in the coming year, schedule an appointment at My Obgyne in San Tan Valley for a preconception visit.
