Planning your pregnancy

If you are thinking about getting pregnant, it is important to start planning early. This will give you time to make lifestyle changes and address any health concerns that could affect your pregnancy.

Here are some things you can do to prepare for pregnancy:

• Get your regular check-ups — This includes cervical screening, dentist, and other tests to make sure you are healthy and ready for pregnancy.
• Get tested for blood disorders that can affect pregnancy — This includes sickle cell disease and thalassemia, which are inherited blood disorders, or if your family are known to have inherited blood disorders that can cause complications during pregnancy and childbirth. 
• Track your ovulation — Knowing when you are ovulating is essential for getting pregnant. You can track your ovulation by using an ovulation test kit, charting your basal body temperature, or observing your cervical mucus.
• Get in shape — Being overweight or obese can affect your fertility. Aim to lose 5-10% of your body weight if your BMI is above 30  Calculate your body mass index (BMI) for adults by visiting https://www.nhs.uk/health-assessment-tools/calculate-your-body-mass-index/calculate-bmi-for-adults.
• Build exercise into your weekly routine to improve your cardiovascular and general fitness, find out more at https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise.
• Eat a healthy diet — Eating a healthy diet can improve your overall health and fertility. Make sure to include plenty of water (3 litres daily), fruits, vegetables, and whole grains in your diet. Refrain from adding salt or sugar to your food and drinks. Visit https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/food-guidelines-and-food-labels/the-eatwell-guide to find out more.
• Take a prenatal vitamin — A prenatal vitamin can help to ensure that you are getting all of the nutrients you need to support a healthy pregnancy.
• Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol — Smoking and drinking alcohol can affect your fertility. If you are trying to get pregnant, it is best to quit smoking and drinking alcohol altogether.
• Manage stress — Stress can affect your fertility. Find healthy ways to manage stress, such as yoga, meditation, or spending time in nature.

We offer specialised clinics and services to treat a variety of medical conditions that can affect pregnancy, such as:

• Neurological conditions – for example, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and other disorders affecting the brain or nervous system.
• Endocrine conditions – such as thyroid disorders, diabetes, and other hormone‑related conditions.
• Cardiac conditions – including heart disease, congenital (from birth) heart problems, and rhythm disorders.
• Hypertension (high blood pressure) – including chronic hypertension and pregnancy‑related blood pressure conditions.
• Respiratory conditions – such as asthma, COPD, cystic fibrosis and other long‑term lung conditions.
• Haematological conditions – including blood disorders such as sickle cell disease, clotting disorders, and anaemias.
• Renal conditions – kidney disease and related conditions.
• Hepatic conditions – liver disease and conditions affecting liver function.
• Dermatological conditions – including chronic skin conditions that may affect pregnancy or require specialist treatment.
• Previous blood clot – if you have previously been diagnosed with  a blood clot, we can advise on the care and precautions you may need to take during your future pregnancy.
• Mental health – requiring medication.
• Organ transplant – if you have been a recipient of an organ transplant you will require specialist care in pregnancy.
• Diabetes - Having diabetes means that you and your baby are more at risk of serious health complications during pregnancy and childbirth. By planning ahead and getting support, you’re more likely to enjoy a healthy pregnancy and give birth to a healthy baby.

Preconception counselling is a conversation with your healthcare provider focused on preparing your yourself and your body for a future pregnancy. A healthy pregnancy starts long before a positive test, so meeting with a healthcare provider ahead of time can help identify and address potential risks early. Planning a pregnancy can lower the chances of complications that might affect you or your baby during pregnancy.

Many people take medications prescribed by their GP or specialist hospital team, and some of these may need to be reviewed before pregnancy. Certain medicines may not be suitable during pregnancy, while others may require closer monitoring of the underlying health condition. Because this varies depending on your specific medical needs, it’s important to discuss pregnancy plans with your doctor or usual health care provider and continue taking medications only under their guidance. Over‑the‑counter products, complementary medicines, and supplements should also be considered, and your pharmacist can provide advice about their safety.

Management of existing health conditions can change during pregnancy, so you may be reviewed regularly to ensure both your condition remains stable and any medications remain appropriate. These discussions can help you understand how your condition may affect pregnancy, how pregnancy may affect your condition, and what care you can expect throughout.

 

Preconception counselling involves

A review of your medical history, your partner’s and both of your family medical history will help us to assess potential pregnancy risks. Lifestyle factors, like diet and tobacco or alcohol use, will also be advised upon. The pre-pregnancy planning will help you identify potential risks so you can lessen them whenever possible.

Current treatments or lifestyle choices may need to be adjusted to prepare your mind and body for pregnancy. Careful planning will demonstrate what steps you may need to take.

Your pregnancy plan may involve healthcare resources like assisted conception, sperm banks or surrogates. You can discuss your options during preconception counselling.

This discussion should happen preferably three to six months before you start trying to get pregnant.

Ideally, preconception planning and advice should be an ongoing part of care for anyone with reproductive potential who wants to become pregnant now or in the future.

To self refer

Download and complete the  Preconception advice referral form [docx] fully and you may need further information from your GP or usual hospital team.

Some referrals may be returned if the information is incomplete.

Once fully completed, email it to mse.preconception@nhs.net for assessment by our Preconception team.

What to expect after your self referral

Based on our assessment, you may be offered advice and guidance in a letter or email.

Alternatively, you may be invited for a clinic review.

We may offer online consultations as well as face to face consultations at Broomfield Hospital, which will be the decision of the team.

Fertility is the ability to conceive and carry a child to term. It is a complex process that involves the interaction of many factors, including hormones, anatomy, and lifestyle.

Infertility is the inability to conceive after one year of regular unprotected sex. If you have been trying to conceive for more than a year without success, it is important to see a GP to rule out any underlying fertility problems. They can check for common causes of fertility problems and suggest treatments that could help.

Tracking your predicted more fertile days can involve monitoring your menstrual cycle, using ovulation predictor kits, or tracking basal body temperature. These methods can help identify your most fertile window. You can start this now.

To find out more, visit https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/trying-for-a-baby/trying-to-get-pregnant. 

Your consultant may vary depending on where you live, but our team is dedicated to making pregnancy planning as seamless and stress-free as possible. When under our care, you can expect your obstetrics and gynaecology consultants to be:

• Basildon Hospital - Richa Gupta, Obstetric and Gynaecology consultant
• Broomfield Hospital - Sameena Kausar, Obstetric and Gynaecology consultant
• Southend Hospital - Miss Deborah Obeng-Tuudah, Obstetric and Gynaecology consultant.

Contact

Please contact your named midwife, specialist physician or GP for further advice.

Are you ready to start a family? Take the Tommy quiz to learn how to improve the health of your future pregnancy and children at https://www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/planning-pregnancy/planning-for-pregnancy-tool .

Here are some additional websites and resources that you may find helpful as you plan your pregnancy:

• Planning to become a parent - https://patient.info/pregnancy/planning-to-become-pregnant
• Planning your pregnancy - https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/trying-for-a-baby/planning-your-pregnancy
• Planning a pregnancy - https://www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/planning-a-pregnancy