05/10/2026
PRECONCEPTION BLOG
Three months before pregnancy is the ideal time for future parents’ health to be optimised for conception, a healthy pregnancy, and a healthy baby (not only in the newborn phase, but for the rest of their life).
Parental smoking, alcohol, illicit drugs, obesity, poor physical health, and stress can all increase baby’s future risk of pregnancy and newborn issues, and longer term obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.
Before pregnancy, we recommend:
- A GP appointment at least three months before starting to try for pregnancy, to discuss preconception bloods and individual health factors. This allows time to correct any deficiencies (e.g. iron), exclude any infections, and ensure immunity to Rubella and Varicella (chicken pox). At this appointment, we also talk about any medications that may impact on a new pregnancy (e.g. antidepressants, Metformin, weight loss medications).
- An antenatal supplement for at least one month before starting to try for pregnancy. The standard requirements are folate 500microg and iodine 150microg daily, but can be higher doses if there is family history of neural tube defects or personal history of certain medications or medical conditions. Folate is essential for healthy spinal cord development, which occurs early on in pregnancy.
With current health advances, most infections do not cause significant long-term harm to fully-formed human beings. However, there are specific infections to avoid in pregnancy:
- Toxoplasmosis – a parasite found in raw/undercooked meat and cat faeces – can cause severe foetal organ damage or loss. Pregnant people should ensure food is cooked and freshly prepared, and avoid managing cat litter trays.
- Listeria – a bacteria found in unpasteurized dairy, raw seafood, or deli meats – can cause stillbirth or preterm labour. Pregnant people should ensure food is cooked and freshly prepared.
- Rubella (German Measles) – a virus that causes a flu-like illness and is transmitted similarly to the flu (e.g. coughing/sneezing, direct contact with snot) – can cause birth defects or miscarriage. Pregnant people can avoid Rubella by ensuring they are immune prior to conception.
- Varicella (chicken pox) – a virus that causes an intensely itchy rash and flu-like illness, and is transmitted by respiratory droplets or direct contact with blister fluid
– can cause birth defects or severe maternal illness. Pregnant people can avoid Varicella by ensuring they are immune prior to conception.
- CMV – a virus that typically affects young children as a flu-like illness and is transmitted through contact with bodily fluids (e.g. coughing/sneezing, wet nappies) – can cause hearing or vision loss that cannot be detected on a pregnancy scan. People with regular contact with young children can be checked for immunity with preconception bloods. If not immune, pregnant people can avoid CMV by diligent hand-hygiene and staying away from sick children.
- STIs (Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea, HIV, Syphilis) – can be asymptomatic – can cause preterm birth or transmit to the baby during delivery. STIs can be checked for and treated with preconception bloods.
https://www.thewomens.org.au/health-information/pregnancy-and-birth/preparing-for-pregnancy/a-healthy-start
