Deciding to take the next step in life by choosing to have a baby is an important and rewarding decision. But what happens once one decides to take that step? The care team at Cherese Mari Laulhere BirthCare Center at Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital is there every step of the way, providing compassionate, quality care from the moment the test reads positive through delivery.

Why Should I Prepare for Conception?

Preconception refers to the time before a woman becomes pregnant and is in the stages of family planning. It involves a comprehensive approach to the birthing parent’s health and wellness. Before attempting to conceive, it is important to prepare one’s body at least three months before conception.

During this time, the mom-to-be and her partner should meet with a healthcare provider to be aware of any potential risks and potentially improve the health of the future mom-to-be and dad-to-be to ensure that parents are in optimal health for conception. The OBGYNs at the BirthCare Center will work with you to identify risks like potential genetic disorders to improve and optimize your overall health before becoming pregnant.

Many health conditions and lifestyle factors such as – untreated medical conditions, chronic stress, obesity, family history, or poor diet – can affect fertility or cause problems during pregnancy. That’s why parents-to-be are highly encouraged to schedule a preconception planning consultation with their healthcare provider. These consultations allow your OBGYN to assess overall health, address existing medical conditions, recommend essential prenatal vitamins, and offer guidance on optimizing fertility.

A couple’s family history also plays a key role in preconception planning. If inherited diseases such as sickle cell anemia run in the family, genetic testing can assess the likelihood of passing it on.

What Are Some Ways Future Moms Can Prepare to Conceive?

With the guidance and support of a healthcare provider, preparing the body and making it the healthiest it can be, can ensure a smooth conception. Some ways that a parent-to-be can prepare to conceive include:

  • Proper nutrition and diet: Proper nutrition is the cornerstone of a healthy pregnancy because it ensures adequate nutrients are stored in the parent’s body, which is vital for the baby's healthy development during early pregnancy and its impact on fertility. Before conception, it is important to incorporate a healthy, balanced diet full of dark, leafy vegetables such as kale or spinach, fish, lean meat and poultry that is cooked thoroughly, nuts and seeds, and legumes such as beans, peas, and lentils. Being obese or underweight can affect a person who is trying to become pregnant. By maintaining a healthy weight, you can reduce possible pregnancy issues, such as infertility or complications during pregnancy. 
  • Taking essential vitamins and the right medications: Vitamins are also part of a healthy diet in preconception planning. One can achieve essential vitamins that are crucial for pregnancy by incorporating foods with folic acid, choline, vitamins A & D, calcium, iron, and Omega-3 from a balanced, rich healthy diet. However, if one can’t get these nutrients in their daily diet, it can be achieved through prenatal vitamins. These help the body receive enough vital nutrients for the baby’s development. It is also important to discuss with your OB/GYN about what over-the-counter and prescribed medications, or herbal supplements are safe to use and the appropriate dosage.
  • Lifestyle modifications: Preconception care also focuses on identifying and addressing lifestyle factors that can negatively affect fertility or cause harm to the baby. To avoid any risks, do not smoke, drink alcohol excessively or take illegal drugs like cocaine or fentanyl. Regular exercise is another important aspect. It not only helps the parent maintain a healthy weight, but it also prepares the body for the physical demands of pregnancy and labor. 
  • Protect yourself from harmful chemicals and viruses: Certain chemicals and viruses can affect fertility and the baby’s health. These viruses include toxoplasmosis – an infection one can get from eating undercooked meat, touching or smelling cat poop – and lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCMV), a virus obtained from caring for rodents, such as hamsters, mice and guinea pigs. Some household chemicals can also cause birth defects during the baby’s development. It’s important to consult with a provider and make necessary changes in your home or at work to reduce exposure to harmful chemicals.
  • Reduce stress: High stress levels can cause problems during pregnancy, so it is important to find ways to reduce stress before conception. This may include being active, eating healthy, getting plenty of sleep or finding a hobby that alleviates stress. A mental health counselor or therapist can also help you reduce or handle stress or anxiety. 

It’s not just the mother’s health that matters in preconception planning – the father also plays a key role. There are steps to ensure they are healthy and pass on healthy genetic materials to their children. These include:

What Are Some Ways Future Dads Can Prepare to Conceive?

  • Getting screened for STDs or STIs: Screening for sexually transmitted diseases or infections can help make sure those viruses or infections aren’t passed to the mothers and could potentially harm the baby during its development. 
  • Lifestyle modifications: Fathers can improve their own reproductive health by limiting excessive alcohol, quitting smoking or using illegal drugs like cocaine or fentanyl, and incorporating a healthy, balanced diet of dark, leafy vegetables, protein, fiber from legumes and beans, and taking daily multivitamins to ensure enough essential nutrients are being stored in the body, all of which are necessary for sperm development and production.
  • Protecting your partner from harmful chemicals: Fathers who work with toxins or other chemicals should be careful not to expose chemicals to the mother. It is important to remove all dirty clothes before coming near your partner and wash soiled clothes separately. 

How Do I Choose the Right OBGYN?

Choosing the right OBGYN is a crucial part of preconception planning, as these providers will guide parents-to-be through every stage of their journey from preconception to conception to delivery. Through MemorialCare Medical Group, parents can easily choose from a network of highly qualified OBGYNs who can deliver your baby at Miller Children’s & Women’s and ensure parents feel supported and confident throughout the pregnancy.

As part of our comprehensive care, the BirthCare Center offers an unparalleled birthing experience with our spacious labor and delivery suites, and private and semi-private postpartum rooms. Equipped with advanced, medical technology, these rooms provide parents with a sense of ease and confidence, knowing they are being well taken care of at every stage of their pregnancy. In addition, the BirthCare center also features immediate expert care from our 24/7 laborists to monitor the pregnant mother and prepare for delivery.

While nobody wants to predict a less than perfect pregnancy, there may be times when the baby is born early or has medical needs that require extra attention. If the need arises, down the hall from the Cherese Mari Laulhere BirthCare Center at Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital is the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), which includes a team of board-certified neonatologists, pediatric subspecialists, experienced nurses, respiratory therapists, social workers, and pediatricians all equipped to provide specialized, family-centered care for sick and critically ill, and premature babies.

We’re one of 22 hospitals in California to feature a regional level IV NICU, the highest designation available by the American Academy of Pediatrics. This means we have the advanced capabilities, along with skilled specialists which include neonatal nurses, board-certified neonatologists, respiratory care therapists and lactation consultants, to care for newborns admitted into the NICU.

With a dedicated team of experts, a comprehensive approach, and a personalized treatment plan tailored to fit each parent-to-be’s needs, Miller Children & Women’s Hospital will help you achieve a successful pregnancy and build a brighter future for your growing family.