🌱 Men's Health

Preconception Health

Preparing your body before pregnancy begins.

The healthiest pregnancies begin before conception. The first 12 weeks — when many women do not yet know they are pregnant — are the most critical for fetal development. Preconception care addresses health factors that can be optimised before pregnancy, reducing risks to mother and baby.

Signs and Symptoms

✓ No symptoms — preconception care is for healthy women planning pregnancy

✓ May include evaluation of irregular cycles or known fertility challenges

✓ Assessment of chronic conditions before they affect a pregnancy

✓ Review of current medications for safety in pregnancy

✓ Nutritional assessment and optimisation

Risk Factors

Previous pregnancy complication — miscarriage, preterm birth, gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia
Chronic medical conditions — diabetes, hypertension, thyroid disease, epilepsy, sickle cell
BMI outside healthy range (both underweight and overweight increase risks)
Age over 35
History of depression or mental health conditions
Current use of medications that may be harmful in pregnancy

When to Seek Help

RoutineIdeally 3–6 months before you plan to start trying to conceive — this gives time to optimise health and complete any needed investigations.

SoonIf you have a chronic medical condition and are considering pregnancy — some conditions need to be stable and medications reviewed before conception.

SoonIf you have been trying to conceive for 12 months without success (or 6 months if over 35) — fertility evaluation is recommended.

Tests & Diagnosis

🧪 Full Blood Count (FBC)

Check for anaemia — common in Nigerian women and important to correct before pregnancy.

🧪 Blood Group & Genotype

Critical. Both partners should know their genotype (AA, AS, SS) before conceiving. HbSS or HbSC children are born when both parents carry the sickle trait.

🧪 HIV, Hepatitis B & C

Knowing status before pregnancy allows treatment that prevents mother-to-child transmission.

🧪 Thyroid Function (TSH)

Thyroid disease affects fertility and pregnancy. Hypothyroidism should be treated and optimised before conception.

🧪 Blood Glucose / HbA1c

Uncontrolled diabetes in early pregnancy significantly increases risk of miscarriage and fetal abnormality. Optimise blood sugar before conception.

🧪 Rubella Immunity

Rubella infection in pregnancy causes serious fetal defects. If not immune, vaccination should be completed before conception.

🧪 Folic Acid

400mcg daily should be started at least 3 months before conception to prevent neural tube defects. Higher doses for women with diabetes or epilepsy.

Treatment Options

Folic Acid Supplementation

400mcg daily from 3 months before conception through the first 12 weeks. The single most evidence-based preconception intervention.

Optimising Chronic Conditions

Diabetes, hypertension, thyroid disease, epilepsy, and autoimmune conditions should all be reviewed and stabilised before conception.

Medication Review

Some medications are teratogenic. These must be switched to safer alternatives before conception, not after a positive test.

Nutrition & Weight

A balanced diet, healthy weight, and vitamin D supplementation support optimal early pregnancy.

Lifestyle Optimisation

Stopping smoking, stopping alcohol, reducing caffeine — all before conception, not just after.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I stop contraception before trying to conceive?

The pill: periods return within 1–3 months. Implant and IUD: fertility returns immediately on removal. Natural cycles usually resume within a few months of stopping hormonal contraception.

Does my partner need any tests?

Yes. Both partners should know their blood group and genotype before conception. A semen analysis may be appropriate if conception is delayed.

I have sickle cell trait — what does this mean for pregnancy?

If your partner also carries the sickle trait, your children have a 25–50% chance of having sickle cell disease. Genetic counselling before pregnancy is strongly recommended.

How long before trying should I start folic acid?

At least 3 months before trying to conceive. The neural tube forms in weeks 3–4 of pregnancy — before most women know they are pregnant.

Is there an ideal age for pregnancy?

Medically, 20–35 is optimal. After 35, risks of chromosomal abnormalities, gestational diabetes, and hypertension increase. Women over 35 benefit from earlier evaluation and closer antenatal monitoring.