Preconception Counseling

For women considering having a baby, preconception counseling with our experienced physicians can help them understand how to prepare their bodies for pregnancy and increase their chances of having a healthy baby.

Our obstetricians and their teams have years of experience in preconception counseling, helping women achieve their best health before planning to become pregnant.

What Is Preconception Counseling?

Preconception counseling is an informative discussion between a patient who is planning for future pregnancy and a health care provider. This visit helps identify health risks before conception. It also helps patients build healthy habits that improve pregnancy outcomes.

Preconception counseling may take place during a dedicated visit or be part of routine primary or gynecologic care.

What Does Preconception Counseling Include?

Our obstetricians provide expert care and services to help women physically prepare for pregnancy before becoming pregnant.

Preconception counseling services include:

• Fertility treatment and services to help with conceiving
• High-risk pregnancy care for women with medical conditions or risk factors that can affect pregnancy
• Prenatal care such as vaccinations and other primary care to prevent and treat illnesses and infections
• Genetic counseling to discuss family and pregnancy history and available preconception genetic testing
• Support with healthy lifestyle habits such as diet, regular exercise, appropriate weight, prenatal supplements, and avoidance of tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drugs

When Should Someone Consider Preconception Counseling?

Women can schedule a preconception counseling appointment three to six months before trying to conceive. The goal is to find and address any medical issues and get the patient as healthy as possible before pregnancy.

What Should Patients Expect from a Preconception Counseling Appointment?

During the preconception counseling visit, women should talk with their doctors about any concerns they have about preparing their bodies for pregnancy and conceiving. Topics we will discuss include:

• Conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, lupus, cystic fibrosis, or seizures
• Family health history, including hereditary or genetic diseases such as Tay-Sachs disease
• Personal health history, such as current medications and previous surgeries or hospitalizations
• Reproductive history, such as menstrual history, any previous pregnancies, and contraceptive use
• Lifestyle habits such as diet and exercise
• Home and workplace environment

After preconception counseling, patients should feel better informed about their health and any risks that could affect pregnancy. The doctor may recommend follow-up lab testing or referrals to other specialists after the counseling appointment.

Why Choose UT Southwestern for Preconception Counseling?

Obstetricians at UT Southwestern provide comprehensive services backed by years of experience in preconception and pregnancy care. Our doctors wrote one of the foremost reference books in obstetrics – Williams Obstetrics – and its companion, Williams Gynecology.

Nationally Ranked in Ob/Gyn

UT Southwestern Medical Center is ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of the nation's top hospitals for obstetric and gynecological care.