You do not have to wait until you are pregnant to visit a healthcare professional. A pre-pregnancy check can identify health conditions, medicines, infections and other risks that are easier to address before conception.
Educational only — not medical advice. If you have urgent symptoms, seek medical care.
Many women first visit a healthcare facility when:
the pregnancy test is already positive.
That is important.
But if you are planning a pregnancy, there can be an advantage to visiting before you become pregnant.
This is called preconception care or a pre-pregnancy health check.
It gives you time to find and address health issues before pregnancy begins.
A pre-pregnancy health check can help you:
review your general health
identify conditions that may affect pregnancy
review your medicines
check important vaccinations
discuss previous pregnancies
assess STI and HIV testing needs
discuss genetic or family risks
start folic acid
improve control of existing diseases
discuss fertility concerns
You may feel completely healthy and still benefit from this conversation.
You do not have to be sick to have a pre-pregnancy check.
Some important health conditions can exist with few or no symptoms.
For example:
high blood pressure may cause no symptoms.
some sexually transmitted infections may cause no symptoms.
early diabetes may cause few symptoms.
A health check gives you an opportunity to identify risks you may not know about.
Because some decisions are easier to make before conception.
For example:
A medicine may need to be changed.
A vaccine may need to be given.
Blood sugar may need better control.
Folic acid may need to be started.
Smoking cessation support may be useful.
By the time a pregnancy test becomes positive, early fetal development has already started.
The exact visit will depend on:
your age
medical history
previous pregnancies
medicines
family history
lifestyle
local guidelines
It does not mean everyone needs a long list of laboratory tests.
The healthcare professional should focus on what is relevant to you.
You may be asked whether you have conditions such as:
hypertension
diabetes
epilepsy
asthma
thyroid disease
sickle cell disease
heart disease
kidney disease
mental health conditions
autoimmune diseases
These conditions do not necessarily mean you should not become pregnant.
They may simply need better control or a pregnancy-specific management plan.
Blood pressure is simple to check but important.
Some people have hypertension without knowing it.
Entering pregnancy with uncontrolled high blood pressure can increase pregnancy risks.
Knowing beforehand allows appropriate assessment and treatment.
Bring or list everything you use.
That includes:
prescription medicines
over-the-counter medicines
vitamins
supplements
herbal medicines
traditional preparations
Do not assume a product is safe simply because it is “natural.”
Some medicines can be safely continued.
Some require dose changes.
Some may need to be replaced.
And some should not be used during pregnancy unless there is a strong medical reason.
The correct decision depends on the specific medicine and condition.
No.
Never stop an important prescribed medicine simply because you want a baby.
Suddenly stopping treatment for conditions such as epilepsy or severe mental illness can be dangerous.
The goal is:
planned adjustment
not:
uncontrolled stopping.
You may be asked:
How often do your periods come?
Are they regular?
Are they very painful?
Are they very heavy?
When was your last period?
Have your periods recently changed?
This can provide clues about ovulation and reproductive health.
Mention it.
Irregular periods may be associated with irregular ovulation.
Possible causes include:
PCOS
thyroid problems
high prolactin
weight changes
other hormonal conditions
It may be useful to investigate this before spending many months trying for pregnancy.
If you have been pregnant before, your history matters.
Tell your healthcare professional about:
miscarriages
ectopic pregnancy
stillbirth
preterm delivery
pre-eclampsia
gestational diabetes
severe bleeding
caesarean delivery
babies with congenital conditions
very small or very large babies
Previous pregnancy complications can sometimes affect planning for future pregnancies.
Vaccines protect against infections that may affect you or your baby.
Your healthcare professional may review whether you have appropriate protection against infections such as:
rubella
hepatitis B
other vaccine-preventable diseases relevant to your setting
Some vaccines are preferably given before pregnancy.
Others can be given during pregnancy.
Planning gives you more options.
Depending on your history and risk, testing may be recommended for infections such as:
HIV
syphilis
hepatitis B
chlamydia
gonorrhoea
Not everyone needs every test at the preconception visit.
Testing should be based on appropriate guidelines and individual circumstances.
Many STIs cause no symptoms.
Someone can feel completely well and still have an infection.
Some untreated infections can affect:
fertility
pregnancy
the baby
Testing can therefore be important even when you feel healthy.
In Ghana, knowing haemoglobin genotype can be particularly useful when planning pregnancy.
Examples include:
AA
AS
AC
SS
SC
If you do not know yours, ask whether testing is appropriate.
Because the baby's genotype comes from both parents.
For example, if both partners carry haemoglobin S, there can be a chance of having a child with sickle cell disease.
Knowing before pregnancy gives couples time to understand the possibilities.
It is about information—not blame.
You may be asked whether either family has a history of:
genetic conditions
inherited blood disorders
congenital abnormalities
developmental disorders
certain serious diseases occurring unusually early
Most people will not need genetic testing.
But certain family histories may justify genetic counselling.
Your healthcare professional may discuss:
weight
diet
physical activity
nutritional deficiencies
Both very low and high body weight can affect fertility and pregnancy.
The goal should be realistic improvement, not crash dieting.
If you have not already started folic acid, this is an important part of the visit.
For many people planning pregnancy, 400 micrograms (0.4 mg) daily is recommended before conception and during early pregnancy.
Some people need a higher dose based on their medical history or medicines.
Your healthcare professional can advise you.
You may be asked about:
cigarettes
shisha
alcohol
cannabis
other recreational drugs
This should be a health conversation, not a moral judgment.
Accurate information helps the clinician recommend safer changes.
Your partner's health matters too.
Male fertility can be affected by:
smoking
heavy alcohol use
recreational drugs
some medicines
certain medical conditions
previous genital infections
testicular problems
Pregnancy preparation should not automatically place every responsibility on the woman.
Usually, no.
Routine semen analysis is not necessary for every couple before trying naturally.
But it may be appropriate earlier if there is a known concern, such as:
previous infertility
testicular injury or surgery
certain childhood conditions
cancer treatment
sexual or ejaculation problems
Otherwise, testing is usually considered as part of fertility assessment if pregnancy does not occur.
Not routinely.
A healthy person without symptoms usually does not need a pelvic ultrasound simply because they want to become pregnant.
Ultrasound may be appropriate if there are concerns such as:
abnormal bleeding
significant pelvic pain
suspected fibroids
ovarian problems
other reproductive conditions
Testing should answer a clinical question.
Usually not.
You may see fertility packages offering many hormone tests before you have even started trying.
Most healthy people with regular cycles do not need extensive fertility testing before attempting pregnancy.
Tests should be selected based on:
your history + examination + clinical need.
More tests do not always mean better care.
Not routinely.
Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) can provide information about ovarian reserve, especially in fertility treatment settings.
But it is not a simple test of:
“Can I become pregnant naturally?”
A normal or high AMH does not guarantee pregnancy.
A low AMH does not automatically mean natural pregnancy is impossible.
Use it when there is a proper clinical reason.
If you are due for cervical cancer screening according to your age and national recommendations, the pre-pregnancy period can be a convenient time to address it.
Ask your healthcare professional whether you are due.
If you have untreated dental or gum problems, consider addressing them.
Oral health is part of general health.
Tell your dentist if you are trying for pregnancy or may already be pregnant.
If possible, bring:
your medicine list
vaccination records
previous pregnancy records
relevant laboratory results
information about major medical conditions
your menstrual cycle records
If you use Jeni to track your cycle and reproductive information, having those records available may make the conversation easier.
You can ask:
“Am I healthy enough to start trying?”
“Do any of my medicines need changing?”
“What dose of folic acid should I take?”
“Do I need any vaccines?”
“Are my periods regular enough to suggest normal ovulation?”
“Do I need any tests before trying?”
“Does my previous pregnancy affect my next one?”
“When should I seek help if pregnancy does not happen?”
No.
No test or appointment can remove every pregnancy risk.
But it can identify preventable or manageable risks before pregnancy.
That can give you and your future pregnancy a healthier starting point.
Consider making it a priority if you:
are 35 or older
have a chronic medical condition
take regular medicines
have very irregular or absent periods
have had significant pregnancy complications
have experienced recurrent pregnancy loss
have a known genetic condition
have previous fertility problems
have had cancer treatment
are unsure about important vaccinations
Do not think of healthcare as something that starts only when:
the pregnancy test becomes positive.
If you are planning a baby, you can start care before conception.
A good pre-pregnancy check asks:
Is your health ready?
Are your medicines appropriate?
Are important conditions controlled?
Do you need vaccines or tests?
Are there risks we can reduce now?
You do not need every test available.
You need the right assessment for you.
That is what good preconception care should provide.
PREP-006: What Should I Do Before I Start Trying for a Baby?
PREP-008: Which Health Conditions Should Be Controlled Before Pregnancy?
PREP-009: Are My Medicines Safe If I Am Trying to Get Pregnant?
PREP-010: Which Vaccines Should I Check Before Pregnancy?
PREP-011: How Do Smoking, Alcohol and Drugs Affect My Chances of Pregnancy?
PREP-012: Why Should I Take Folic Acid Before Pregnancy?
PREP-013: What Should I Eat When Preparing for Pregnancy?
PREP-014: Does My Weight Affect My Chances of Getting Pregnant?