Before You Become Pregnant

Health Risk Assessment

QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF AND TO DISCUSS WITH YOUR DOCTOR OR NURSE BEFORE YOU BECOME PREGNANT

1. Are You Eating a Healthy Diet?
Before you become pregnant, your diet should include calcium, iron, and folic acid. Drinking milk, orange juice and eating a lot of different foods is important.

2. Do You Exercise Every Day?
Walking, swimming, or other non-contact sports are usually good, safe exercises.

3. Are Your Shots Up To Date?
Before you or your partner get pregnant, it's important to get your shots to prevent infections such as German Measles, Chicken Pox and Hepatitis.

4. Do You Smoke Tobacco, Drink Alcohol or Take Drugs?
Smoking, drinking alcohol and taking drugs such as cocaine, crack, marijuana or heroin may harm you and a growing baby.

5. Do You Take Any Medicines?
Talk with your doctor/nurse about any medicines you take. Medicines include medicine that you had a prescription for and medicine that you bought yourself - even vitamins.

6. Do You Have Any health Problems?
Past and present health problems can be a sign that you may need special attention before and during your pregnancy. For example, if you have diabetes or HIV, you would need this special attention.

7. Do You or Anyone In Your Family Have Any Health Problems That Could Be Passed On To Your Baby?
Some health problems, such as sickle cell disease, happen more often in some families. These are called genetic disorders. Your doctor will talk to you about these possible health problems.

8. Are You Living And Working In A Healthy Environment?
Some substances such as chemicals and lead, found at home or at your job, may make it harder for you to become pregnant or may harm the growing baby.

9. Is Your Partner In Good Health?
It's important for your partner to follow the same healthy lifestyle that you do.