I am not planning to become pregnant in the next year

All women can benefit from preconception health, even if they do not plan on having a baby. This is because part of preconception health is all about getting and staying healthy throughout your life. Also, unplanned or mistimed pregnancies do happen.

Even if you do not plan to have a child in the next year, or ever, you will need:

  • A yearly well-woman visit
  • A healthy diet, including taking a daily multivitamin with folic acid
  • To exercise regularly
  • To work with your healthcare provider to get any medical conditions – like diabetes, asthma, high blood pressure, or obesity – under control
  • To make sure all your vaccinations are up to date
  • Help to quit smoking, alcohol abuse, or drug use
  • To manage any mental health conditions

You will also need to decide what birth control method is best for you. See our Family Planning and Birth Control section for more information about the different types of birth control.