Recent Blogs

Planning for pregnancy: what to do before you conceive

A healthy pregnancy often begins before conception. Taking time to prepare your health before trying to conceive can help support both maternal wellbeing and your baby’s early development.

Preconception care gives women and couples the opportunity to understand their overall health, manage existing medical conditions, review medications, begin important supplements, and make lifestyle changes that support pregnancy. It also provides an opportunity to discuss fertility, family history, and any concerns that may affect conception or pregnancy.

For couples planning a pregnancy in Abu Dhabi, an early consultation with a gynecologist or maternal care specialist can help create a personalized plan and provide guidance at every stage of the journey.

Why Preconception Care matters before pregnancy.

Preconception Care focuses on optimizing health before pregnancy and reducing potential risks for both mother and baby. It allows doctors to identify medical, lifestyle, or reproductive factors that may influence pregnancy outcomes and address them before conception.

During a preconception consultation, your doctor may review your medical history, discuss chronic health conditions, assess medications and supplements, check whether vaccinations need review, and consider any previous pregnancy complications. Together, these discussions help identify risk factors early and create a pregnancy plan tailored to your individual health needs.

This proactive approach is widely recommended because improving health before conception can support a healthier pregnancy and better long-term outcomes for both mother and child.

Steps to schedule a Preconception Checkup.

Review your medical history: A preconception appointment begins with a detailed review of your medical history, previous pregnancies, surgeries, allergies, and family history. This helps your doctor understand factors that may influence pregnancy planning.

Discuss existing health conditions: Conditions such as diabetes, thyroid disorders, high blood pressure, anemia, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), obesity, autoimmune disorders, previous miscarriages, or a history of high-risk pregnancy may require additional planning before conception. Stabilizing these conditions beforehand can help reduce pregnancy-related risks.

Ask about medication safety: Some prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medicines may not be suitable during pregnancy. Your doctor can review your current medications and recommend any changes before you begin trying to conceive. Medication should never be stopped or changed without medical advice.

Starting with folic acid and prenatal vitamins.

Why folic acid matters: Folic acid plays an important role in early fetal development and helps reduce the risk of neural tube defects affecting the baby’s brain and spine. Because these structures develop very early in pregnancy, women are commonly advised to begin folic acid before conception.

When to start prenatal vitamins: Prenatal vitamins are often recommended at least one month before trying to conceive. Depending on your health, your doctor may advise supplements containing iron, Vitamin D, or other nutrients that support pregnancy.

What to ask your doctor: Discuss which prenatal vitamin is most appropriate for your individual needs, particularly if you have anemia, dietary restrictions, previous pregnancy complications, or underlying medical conditions.

Checking vaccinations before you conceive

Some vaccinations are best reviewed before pregnancy. During a preconception consultation, your doctor may assess your immunity or vaccination history for infections such as rubella, varicella, hepatitis B, influenza, and others based on your health profile.

If additional vaccination is recommended, your doctor will advise on the most appropriate timing before conception. This discussion forms part of individualized pregnancy planning rather than a fixed schedule..

Managing chronic conditions before pregnancy.

Diabetes & blood sugar control: Good blood sugar control before conception helps reduce pregnancy risks and supports healthy fetal development. Women with diabetes benefit from individualized planning before pregnancy.

Thyroid health: Thyroid disorders can influence fertility and pregnancy. Reviewing thyroid function before conception allows treatment to be adjusted if required.

Blood pressure and heart health: Women with hypertension, heart disease, or kidney disease may need coordinated care before pregnancy to help optimize their health and reduce complications.

Previous high-risk pregnancy.: If you have experienced miscarriage, preeclampsia, preterm birth, gestational diabetes, or other pregnancy complications, preconception counseling can help guide planning for future pregnancies and determine whether additional monitoring may be beneficial.

Reviewing lifestyle habits & nutrition

Healthy eating before pregnancy: A balanced diet that includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and healthy fats provides important nutrients before pregnancy and supports overall wellbeing.

Weight and physical activity: Achieving a healthy weight before conception and maintaining regular physical activity can positively influence fertility, pregnancy health, and recovery after childbirth. Exercise recommendations should always reflect your individual health needs.

Smoking, alcohol, & caffein: Women planning pregnancy should stop smoking and avoid alcohol while trying to conceive. Caffeine intake should also be discussed with a healthcare professional. Adequate sleep and effective stress management remain important aspects of overall reproductive health.

Understanding your menstrual cycle and fertile window

Tracking periods: Keeping track of your menstrual cycle helps identify ovulation and provides useful information about reproductive health. Regular cycle tracking may also assist your doctor if fertility concerns arise.

Ovulation & fertile days: Understanding when ovulation occurs can help couples identify the most fertile days during each cycle and improve the timing of conception attempts.

When to seek fertility advice: Women with irregular periods, PCOS, symptoms of endometriosis, previous pelvic infections, or difficulty conceiving should consider medical evaluation. Couples may also benefit from earlier fertility consultation if the woman is over the age of 35 or has known reproductive health concerns.

Genetic & family history. What to discuss.

Family history is an important part of pregnancy planning and may help determine whether genetic counseling or carrier screening should be considered.

Your doctor may ask about inherited medical conditions, previous pregnancies affected by genetic disorders, recurrent pregnancy loss, blood disorders, chromosomal conditions, or consanguinity. These conversations are intended to provide information and support informed decision-making rather than create unnecessary concern.

Preparing emotionally & practically.

Preparing for pregnancy also involves emotional and practical planning. Couples may wish to discuss mental wellbeing, stress management, work responsibilities, financial planning, insurance coverage, and available maternity care options before conception.

Choosing a women and children hospital in Abu Dhabi  early and building a strong support network can help create greater confidence throughout pregnancy and after childbirth..

When should you see a doctor before trying to conceive?

A preconception consultation is particularly recommended if you have:

• Irregular menstrual periods
• PCOS or endometriosis
• Diabetes, thyroid disease, hypertension, kidney disease, or heart disease
• Previous miscarriage
• Previous high-risk pregnancy
• Age over 35 years
• Difficulty conceiving
• Current prescription medication use
• Family history of genetic conditions
• Lifestyle factors that may affect pregnancy
• Questions or concerns about fertility

Early medical advice allows concerns to be addressed before pregnancy begins and helps create a personalized care plan.

In conclusion. A healthy pregnancy starts before conception.

Planning for pregnancy allows women and couples to take positive steps before conception by improving health, reviewing medical conditions, optimizing nutrition, and understanding potential risks. Early preparation provides an opportunity to begin pregnancy with greater confidence and appropriate medical support.

If you are planning to conceive, consider scheduling a preconception consultation with a gynecologist or maternal care specialist at Burjeem Medical City in Abu Dhabi. Individualized guidance before pregnancy can help support a healthy pregnancy journey from the very beginning.

Visit or consult us now.

Book a preconception consultation with a maternal care specialist at Burjeel Medical City in Abu Dhabi to review your health, medications, lifestyle, fertility concerns, and pregnancy readiness before you conceive.

Our Experts