Guidelines Urge Women to Be Prepared for Pregnancy

A new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report seeks to improve preconception health and health care. The advice is aimed at patients, doctors, public health professionals, researchers, policymakers and government agencies. The steps recommended for patients include:

· Develop a "reproductive health plan," which describes if and when you want to have children. (The same advice applies to men and couples.)

· Use your regular doctor visits as an opportunity to discuss your risks -- including chronic medical conditions and behaviors that might negatively impact a pregnancy -- and learn about how to reduce them and improve future pregnancy outcomes.

· If you have a chronic medical condition, such as diabetes, asthma or epilepsy, get it under control. Also, ask your doctor or pharmacist how to handle prescribed and over-the-counter medications should you become pregnant.