Three months is the sweet spot: long enough to build folic acid levels, update vaccines, correct a thyroid problem or lose a little weight, and short enough to feel like a plan rather than a delay. Here is what to cover.
Month 3 — before you start
Book a preconception visit
A single consultation reviews your history, cycles, medications and family history, and decides which of the steps below apply to you.
Start folic acid
400 micrograms daily, beginning at least a month before conception and continuing through the first trimester, reduces neural-tube defects. Higher doses are advised for women with diabetes, epilepsy, obesity or a previous affected pregnancy.
Basic tests
Haemoglobin, thyroid (TSH), blood sugar, blood group and rubella immunity are the usual starting set. Your doctor may add vitamin D, hepatitis B or others based on your history.
Update vaccinations
Rubella (MMR) and varicella, if you are not immune, must be given at least one month before conceiving. Hepatitis B can be completed any time. See vaccination for women.
Review your medicines
Some common drugs — for acne, epilepsy, blood pressure, thyroid, autoimmune conditions — need adjusting before pregnancy. Do not stop prescribed medication on your own; ask.
Month 2 — optimise
Address existing conditions
Well-controlled diabetes, thyroid disease, blood pressure and PCOS before conception significantly reduce pregnancy risks. This is the single most valuable use of the preconception window.
Weight and activity
A BMI in the healthy range improves the chance of conceiving and lowers the risk of gestational diabetes and hypertension. Moderate regular exercise is encouraged.
Stop smoking and alcohol; cut back caffeine
Both partners. Smoking reduces fertility in men and women and raises miscarriage risk.
Dental check
Gum disease is linked to preterm birth, and dental treatment is simpler before pregnancy.
Month 1 — understand your cycle
Track your cycle length and learn your fertile window — the five days before ovulation and the day itself. For a 28-day cycle, ovulation is around day 14; for longer cycles, later. Intercourse every two to three days across the cycle is as effective as targeted timing and less stressful.
When to seek help
If you are under 35, see a gynecologist after 12 months of trying; over 35, after six months; and sooner if your cycles are irregular, you have known PCOS or endometriosis, or you have had two or more miscarriages. See fertility evaluation.
Have a question about this topic? Dr. Bhavya Rathore consults at her Indirapuram clinic (Gyan Khand 4) and at Cloudnine Hospital. Book a consultation or message the clinic on WhatsApp.
Related services
Keep reading
Medical disclaimer: This page is for general information and does not replace a consultation. It is not individual medical advice, and outcomes vary from person to person. If you have urgent symptoms — heavy bleeding, severe pain, fever, fainting or reduced baby movements — contact the clinic or go to the nearest emergency department immediately. Read the full disclaimer.