Preconception checkup screenings
A checkup before pregnancy looks for things that could affect a future pregnancy. It covers your health and family history, and you may need blood tests or to catch up on vaccines. (ACOG FAQ, 2020) (MedlinePlus, 2026)
What happens at the visit
ACOG says you and your ob-gyn or other obstetric care provider talk about your diet and lifestyle, your medical and family history, the medicines you take and past pregnancies. Your vaccination history is reviewed, and you go over the risks of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). (ACOG FAQ, 2020) MedlinePlus adds that some health problems in a family can be passed on to children, and your doctor or midwife may refer you to a genetic counselor. (MedlinePlus, 2026)
ACOG's committee opinion says counseling can begin with the question "Would you like to become pregnant in the next year?", applies to people of every sexual orientation and gender identity who plan a pregnancy, and should happen several times during the reproductive years. (ACOG CO 762, 2019)
| Check | What the source says | |
|---|---|---|
| Blood pressure | Screen adults 18 and older; every year from 40 or at higher risk, every 3 to 5 years for adults 18 to 39 at lower risk with a prior normal reading (grade A) (USPSTF, 2021) | Blood pressure readings |
| Diabetes | Screen adults aged 35 to 70 who have overweight or obesity (grade B) (USPSTF, 2021) | Screenings if you have diabetes |
| STIs | Assess whether STI screening is needed (ACOG CO 762, 2019) | STI test results |
| HIV | All women should be tested (ACOG FAQ, 2020); screen everyone aged 15 to 65 (grade A) (USPSTF, 2019) | HIV test results |
| Hepatitis B | Screen adolescents and adults at increased risk (grade B) (USPSTF, 2020) | Hepatitis B test results |
| Rubella immunity | A blood test shows whether you are protected; all women who may become pregnant should have it (MedlinePlus Rubella, 2025) | See below |
| Depression | Screen adults, including pregnant and postpartum persons (grade B) (USPSTF, 2023) | Depression screening |
| Intimate partner violence | Screen women of reproductive age with a brief questionnaire (grade B) (USPSTF, 2025) | See below |
| Alcohol, nicotine and drugs | Ask everyone routinely, including about prescription opioids used for nonmedical reasons (ACOG CO 762, 2019) | Ask your doctor |
| Carrier screening | Offer screening for the same genetic conditions as recommended in pregnancy (ACOG CO 762, 2019) | Genetic carrier screening |
Long-term conditions
ACOG's committee opinion says many long-term conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, psychiatric illness and thyroid disease, affect pregnancy outcomes and should be well managed before pregnancy. (ACOG CO 762, 2019) The ACOG FAQ adds eating disorders and seizure disorders, and says having one of these conditions does not mean you cannot have a healthy pregnancy or baby. You may need to see your ob-gyn more often or get other specialized care. (ACOG FAQ, 2020)
ACOG says your provider will also ask about problems in past pregnancies, such as preterm birth, high blood pressure, preeclampsia and gestational diabetes. These can raise the risk of the same problem again, but having one before does not mean it will happen again. (ACOG FAQ, 2020)
What an abnormal or non-immune result means
- High blood pressure or another long-term condition. The USPSTF says a high office reading should be confirmed with blood pressure measurements outside the clinic before treatment starts. (USPSTF, 2021) ACOG says that with a medical condition, you may need to make some changes to bring it under control before you try to get pregnant. (ACOG FAQ, 2020)
- Not immune to rubella. The blood test did not show protection against rubella. MedlinePlus says that if the test is negative, the vaccine is given. Rubella in pregnancy can cause miscarriage or stillbirth, and the child may be born with birth defects. (MedlinePlus Rubella, 2025) ACOG says some vaccines cannot be given during pregnancy, which is one reason vaccines are reviewed before. (ACOG FAQ, 2020)
- A positive STI or HIV test. ACOG says to get tested and treated right away, that your partner may also need treatment, and that neither of you should have sex until you have both finished treatment. Knowing your HIV status lets you learn about treatment that may make passing the infection to a fetus less likely. (ACOG FAQ, 2020)
- A positive depression or intimate partner violence screen. The USPSTF describes intimate partner violence screening as a brief questionnaire about current or recent abuse, and says people who screen positive should be offered or referred to support that includes several parts and continues over time. (USPSTF, 2025) ACOG lists the National Domestic Violence Hotline, 24 hours a day: 800-799-SAFE (7233), or 1-800-787-3224 (TTY). (ACOG FAQ, 2020)
- A carrier screening result. What carrier results mean is on the carrier screening page.
When to contact a medical professional
The MedlinePlus Rubella page says to contact your health care provider if: (MedlinePlus Rubella, 2025)
- You are a woman of childbearing age and are unsure of whether you have been vaccinated against rubella
- You or your child develop a severe headache, stiff neck, earache, or vision problems during or after a case of rubella
- You or your child need to receive MMR immunization (vaccine)
The NHS says to speak to a GP if you want to get pregnant and you or your partner live with a condition such as epilepsy, diabetes, sickle cell disease or HIV, take any medicine or herbal remedy, have a fertility issue, find it difficult to have sex, have been trying for 1 year or more through having sex, or need help to stop smoking, drinking alcohol or using illegal drugs. (NHS, 2026) The MedlinePlus page on steps to take before pregnancy has no "When to contact" section.
Where they differ:
- Rubella. MedlinePlus says all women who may become pregnant should have a blood test for rubella protection. (MedlinePlus Rubella, 2025) The NHS page does not list a blood test; it says to have the MMR vaccine before trying for a baby if you have not already. (NHS, 2026)
- STIs and HIV. ACOG says all women should be tested for HIV, and the USPSTF recommends HIV screening for everyone aged 15 to 65. (ACOG FAQ, 2020) (USPSTF, 2019) The NHS page says to get tested for STIs if you think you or your partner may have one. (NHS, 2026)
- Cervical screening. The NHS page says to check whether your cervical screening is due before you start trying. (NHS, 2026) The ACOG FAQ does not list it among the visit topics. (ACOG FAQ, 2020) More: Pap and HPV test results.
- Who leads the visit. ACOG describes a prepregnancy care checkup with an ob-gyn or other obstetric care provider. (ACOG FAQ, 2020) The NHS page points people to a GP when they have a condition or other concern. (NHS, 2026)
Tests during pregnancy, including blood type and Rh, are on pregnancy screenings by week.
Your doctor decides what your result means for you.
Questions people ask
What is the goal of a checkup before pregnancy?
ACOG says the goal is to find things that could affect your pregnancy, because the first 8 weeks of pregnancy is the time when major organs develop. Its committee opinion adds that counseling fits whether you are using contraception now or planning a pregnancy, and should happen several times during the reproductive years because health and risk factors change. (ACOG FAQ, 2020) (ACOG CO 762, 2019)
Will I have blood tests?
MedlinePlus says you may need blood tests, or you may need to get caught up on vaccines, before you are pregnant. Which tests depends on your history; for example, MedlinePlus says all women who may become pregnant should have a blood test to see whether they are protected against rubella. (MedlinePlus, 2026) (MedlinePlus Rubella, 2025)
Does a non-immune rubella result mean something is wrong?
No. It means the blood test did not show protection against rubella. MedlinePlus says that if the test is negative, the vaccine is given. Rubella during pregnancy can cause miscarriage, stillbirth or birth defects. (MedlinePlus Rubella, 2025)
Will I be tested for HIV even if I feel well?
ACOG says all women should be tested for HIV. The USPSTF recommends HIV screening for everyone aged 15 to 65 and for all pregnant persons (grade A, 2019). (ACOG FAQ, 2020) (USPSTF, 2019)
Why would I be asked about my relationship?
ACOG says your ob-gyn may ask about your relationship, because intimate partner violence can be harmful for you and your children. The USPSTF recommends screening women of reproductive age, including during and after pregnancy, with a brief questionnaire (grade B, 2025). (ACOG FAQ, 2020) (USPSTF, 2025)
Does my partner need anything?
ACOG says that if you think you or your partner may have an STI, get tested and treated right away, and your partner also may need treatment. Its committee opinion says people seen before pregnancy should be offered screening for the same genetic conditions as recommended in pregnancy. (ACOG FAQ, 2020) (ACOG CO 762, 2019)