Do I need a Pre-Pregnancy Checkup?
July 21, 2006 by James Brann, MD
Filed under Pregnancy
Your medical history:
Some women have medical conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, seizure disorders and other medical conditions that can cause problems during pregnancy. A pre-pregnancy check-up will get your started off on the right foot. Your doctor will have a lot of questions. Use the following to organize the information your doctor requires to plan for the safest, healthiest pregnancy possible.
What Your Doctor Needs to Know
1. Are you currently trying to get pregnant?
2. Do you use birth control? If so, what type?
3. Have you been treated for any medical or psychiatric problems in the past? List all
known conditions.
4. Do you take medications regularly? List all prescription and over-the-counter
medications and supplements you use regularly.
5. Have you ever had any of the following problems that may make a pregnancy high risk:
High Blood Pressure, heart disease or thyroid disease
Diabetes Mellitus
Lung problems such as asthma
Chronic anemia (low blood count)
Being overweight
Surgeries, especially female surgeries
Problems with previous pregnancies
6. Have you ever had any sexually transmitted diseases such as Syphilis, Chlamydia or
Herpes?
7. Have you received any recent vaccinations?
8. Does your family have a history of disease such as epilepsy, Tay Sachs disease or
mental retardation?
9. Do you drink, use tobacco, use illegal drugs or drink a lot of caffeine?
10. Have you ever received a transfusion or blood products?
11. Do you currently exercise? Describe your fitness routine.
12. Where and in what capacity do you work?
13. Have you ever been exposed to x-rays, toxic chemicals or other dangerous
substances as part of your employment? If so, describe in detail.
14. Do you plan to continue work while pregnant?
Developing a pre-conception history provides an opportunity to identify risks of pregnancy for mother and fetus, to educate the patient about these risks and to start appropriate treatments and lifestyle changes before the start of the pregnancy.
