Can I take these?
Before going into your preconception checkup, you’ll want to consider making a list of any medications you regularly take so you can run them by your healthcare provider. Think prescriptions, seasonal medications like those for allergies, and situational medicines you have, like an EpiPen or migraine medication.
If you regularly take any supplements (like echinacea, cranberry, or a daily vitamin), bring those in with you as well so your healthcare provider can take a look at the ingredients.
Should I have genetic screening?
Genetic screening looks at your and your partner’s DNA to determine if you might be at an increased risk of having a child with a genetic disease. Many healthy people don’t think about genetic disease as something that they could pass on; however, the majority of babies born with genetic disorders have no family history of that condition.
ACOG now recommends that every woman be offered genetic screening by their healthcare provider before (or early in) pregnancy. Our partners at Recombine provide a screen called CarrierMap, which assesses your risk of passing on over 250 genetic diseases.
The great thing about Recombine is that once you’ve got your results, Recombine will partner you with one of their genetic counselors so you can better understand your results and how you can use them to make positive health decisions for you and your family. The first step is requesting a CarrierMap information kit, so you can begin an informed conversation with your healthcare provider.
Do I need to update my vaccines?
A number of fairly common diseases like chickenpox, the flu, or tetanus can all be treated easily in a healthy adult, but could be really harmful to a developing baby.
But not to worry – that’s what vaccines are for! Your healthcare provider will need to check your vaccination records and possibly run some immunity tests. Depending on which vaccines you need (if any), you might need to delay your baby-making efforts by as much as a month.
If you need to put trying on hold for a while, keep tracking! You’ll have a more accurate fertile window prediction when it is time to start baby-making again.
What prenatal vitamins should I take?
It’s recommended that you start taking folic acid supplements as soon as you’ve decided to start trying to conceive, as you’ll want plenty of this valuable nutrient in your system right from day one.
No matter how well-balanced your diet is, there are likely to be a few important nutrients you’re missing out on. Your healthcare provider might recommend starting a prenatal supplement now to fill in the gaps. Consider using this time as an opportunity to find a vitamin that doesn’t cause you discomfort and that you can easily make part of your daily routine.
What will my insurance cover?
Many insurance providers now cover the cost of prenatal vitamins as well as genetic screening tests. These are both powerful tools for managing health outcomes long before they ever arise.
To learn more about Recombine’s CarrierMap screening test, tap the button below.
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