Pre-Pregnancy care is the health care a woman gets before she becomes pregnant. Prenatal care is the health care a woman gets during pregnancy. Early and regular prenatal visits with a health care provider are important for the health of both the mother and the fetus. Pre-Pregnancy care from a health care provider is also important to help a woman have as healthy a pregnancy as possible.
General Information
About Pre-Pregnancy Care and Prenatal Care
Pre-Pregnancy care is the health care a woman receives before she gets pregnant. Prenatal care is the health care a woman gets during pregnancy. Both can help promote a healthy pregnancy.
Can you promote a healthy pregnancy before getting pregnant?
Getting chronic health conditions under control and quitting smoking are among the things a woman can do before she gets pregnant to improve the chances of a healthy pregnancy.
What pre-pregnancy tests might I need?
Talking to your health care provider about your health history and lifestyle before you get pregnant can help determine what tests or other actions you might need for a healthy pregnancy.
What can I do to promote a healthy pregnancy?
Getting early and regular prenatal care is the best thing you can do to keep yourself and your developing fetus healthy while you are pregnant.
What happens during prenatal visits?
The specific activities for a prenatal visit depend on how far along you are in your pregnancy and your overall health status.
What tests might I need during pregnancy?
Health care providers run several routine tests during pregnancy. Some women may undergo additional testing because of their age, health, family health history, and ethnicity.
What health problems can develop during pregnancy?
A number of possible problems can occur during pregnancy. Regular prenatal visits can help identify such problems early and allow treatment or management to maintain a healthy pregnancy.
Who is at increased risk of health problems during pregnancy?
Some women are at increased risk for health problems during pregnancy based on age, existing health conditions, problems they had in previous pregnancies, and other factors.
Will stress during pregnancy affect my baby?
For many, stress is a part of daily life regardless of pregnancy status. So it is normal to feel some stress during pregnancy. But too much stress can negatively affect your pregnancy.
Research
NICHD Research Information
NICHD research aims to promote healthy pregnancies.
Find a Study
Find a Study
NICHD conducts and supports a variety of clinical research projects related to pre-pregnancy care and prenatal care.