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Home › Articles › Preparing for Pregnancy › Conception Planning and Organization Goes a Long Way

Conception Planning and Organization Goes a Long Way

12 Things to Think About When Trying to Conceive

By Jacqueline Rupp

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of the medications you have taken in the past year. "Many medications should be stopped three to six months in advance of pregnancy," says Dr. Lisa Mazzullo, a board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist and assistant professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Northwestern University Medical Center. "Even something common, like acne medicine, should be stopped 30 days prior to pregnancy."

It is also important to consult your doctor before throwing away all your medications. "In some cases, women think that they should stop their medications for medical conditions immediately upon becoming pregnant," Dr. Bathgate says. "Sometimes this may actually be harmful, as in the case of stopping some medications for diabetes, lupus or for seizures. It is best to discuss the implications of medications with a health care provider before stopping or starting them in pregnancy."

3. Genetic History
"Depending on your ethnic background you may want to consider genetic screening," says Dr. Mazzullo. "If both partners are of a certain ethnic background, this might predispose them to a greater risk for being carriers of a genetic disease."

Genetic screening can help determine the possibility of a genetic disease. "For instance, if the couple has Caucasian heritage, I offer testing for cystic fibrosis," Dr. Bathgate says. "One in 22 Caucasians has a mutation in this gene. If both the man and woman have cystic fibrosis mutations, then there is a 1 in 4 chance that their child will have cystic fibrosis." She says that many times this information doesn't change a couple's plan to conceive, but instead allows them time to plan and research their options prior to conception.


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