12 Questions to Ask at Your Preconception Appointment

A preconception appointment is a chance to review your health, your habits, and your supplements before you try to conceive. These 12 questions help you use a short visit well. Pick your top three, write down the answers, and bring any lab results or medication lists you have.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers an overview of preconception health to read before you go.

1. What health history should I bring to this visit?

Your history shapes every other answer your provider gives. Ask which personal and family details are most useful, such as past pregnancies, surgeries, and relevant family history. Writing it down ahead of time saves visit minutes for your questions.

2. Which tests or screenings should I review before I try to conceive?

Ask your provider which routine screenings are current and which, if any, are worth adding for your situation. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists offers patient guidance on preconception care that can help you prepare. Let your provider decide what fits your history.

3. Should I consider genetic carrier screening?

Some couples discuss carrier screening before pregnancy. Ask whether it applies to you, what it can and cannot show, and what the next steps would be. This is a question to explore with your provider, not one to answer on your own.

4. Are my vaccinations up to date for pregnancy planning?

Some vaccines are given before pregnancy and others during it. Ask your provider to review your records and tell you what to schedule and when. Bring your vaccination history if you have it.

5. Will you review my medications and supplements?

Bring a list of every prescription, over-the-counter product, and supplement you take, with the labels if possible. Ask your provider whether anything needs to change before you conceive. This is also the time to ask about herbal products, since some are not appropriate once you are pregnant.

6. Which prenatal vitamin fits my needs, and when should I start?

Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement, especially during pregnancy, breastfeeding, or while managing a medical condition. Many women start a prenatal before they conceive. Total Prenatal, designed for preconception through breastfeeding, is a 22-nutrient formula that is third-party tested at ISO 17025 accredited labs, so ask your provider whether a formula like it fits you.† Our guide on when to start folate before pregnancy covers timing.

7. Which form of folate is right for me?

Folate comes in more than one form, and your provider can tell you which suits your history. Ask whether folic acid or methylated folate makes more sense for you. Our prenatal with methylated folate, choline, non-constipating iron, and algae DHA uses the active form of folate.† Our comparison of folic acid and methylfolate during pregnancy explains the difference, and the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements offers a plain-language overview.

8. What should I track about my cycle before trying?

Ask your provider what information about your cycle is most useful to bring back, such as cycle length, regularity, and any changes you notice. If cycle regularity is a goal, ask whether a supplement like Myo Chiro 40:1, formulated to support cycle regularity, fits your plan.† Myo Chiro 40:1 is not for use during pregnancy, so ask your provider when to stop it once you conceive.

9. Is a fertility supplement right for me, and when would I stop it?

Some women add a fertility-focused supplement while trying to conceive. Premium Fertility Gummies, with 13 fertility-focused nutrients, were developed with guidance from Pink Stork's OBGYN-Led Advisory Board to support reproductive wellness while trying to conceive.† Premium Fertility Gummies are not for use during pregnancy. Ask your provider how to time the move from a fertility supplement to a prenatal alone.

10. Which habits should I review before I conceive?

Ask about alcohol, caffeine, smoking, and exercise, and what your provider suggests for your situation. Bring up sleep and stress too, since both shape how you feel day to day. Small, steady changes made now are easier than a rush of changes later.

11. How long should I try before I check in again?

Ask your provider how long to try before you schedule a follow-up, since the answer depends on factors like your age and history. Knowing the timeline in advance takes pressure off each cycle. Ask what information to bring back at that visit.

12. Is there anything my partner should review with their provider?

Planning a pregnancy involves both partners where there are two. Ask whether your partner's health history, medications, or habits are worth reviewing with their own provider. This keeps the plan complete and shared.

"If you don't understand something, ask the provider: can you please rephrase that? I don't understand."

— Dr. Tosin Odunsi, MD, MPH, FACOG, Obstetrics and Gynecology Physician

How can you get the most from your visit?

Time is short, so choose your three most important questions before you walk in. Write down your answers as you go, and ask your provider to repeat anything that is unclear. Bring your supplement bottles or photos of the labels.

"Preparing for a baby begins long before the test turns positive. I want every woman to feel informed and supported as she plans, and to know she does not have to figure it out alone."

— Amy Suzanne Upchurch, Founder and CEO of Pink Stork

Total Prenatal is made in cGMP-certified facilities and is available at Target, Walmart, and CVS. Pink Stork is woman-founded and woman-led, with more than 50,000 verified Amazon reviews across the brand. If nausea is already part of your picture, our list of 10 questions to ask your OB about morning sickness is a useful next read.

Frequently asked questions

What is a preconception appointment?

It is a visit with your provider before you try to conceive to review your health, medications, and supplements. It is also a chance to ask questions about timing and next steps.

When should I schedule a preconception appointment?

Many women schedule one a few months before they plan to start trying. Ask your provider what timing fits your situation.

Should I start a prenatal vitamin before I am pregnant?

Many women do. Total Prenatal is designed for preconception through breastfeeding.† Check with your healthcare provider about timing.

Can I take fertility supplements and a prenatal together?

Some women use both while trying to conceive. Ask your provider whether this combination suits you, and ask when to stop fertility supplements that are not for use during pregnancy.

Do I need to stop Myo Chiro 40:1 or Premium Fertility Gummies once I am pregnant?

Both products are not for use during pregnancy. Talk with your provider about when to stop them as soon as you conceive.

What should I bring to my appointment?

Bring your health history, a list of medications and supplements, any recent lab results, and your top three questions.

† These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement, especially during pregnancy, breastfeeding, or while managing a medical condition. Keep out of reach of children.