Most people book their first pregnancy appointment after a positive test. That is understandable, and it is also several weeks later than the point at which a GP can be most useful. By the time a pregnancy is confirmed, the earliest stages of development are already underway, and many of the things a preconception check addresses would ideally have been sorted beforehand.

A preconception health check is a single appointment, or sometimes two, that looks at your health before conception rather than after it. It is one of the least glamorous and most practical things you can do when you are thinking about starting a family.

Why the timing matters

Australian guidance generally suggests reviewing your health around three months before you start trying. There are concrete reasons for that window. Some vaccinations need to be given before pregnancy rather than during it. Certain medications need to be reviewed and sometimes changed, which takes time to do safely. Nutritional stores such as iron take weeks rather than days to build. Chronic conditions are best stabilised before rather than during a pregnancy.

Three months is a guide, not a deadline. If you are already trying, or already pregnant, the appointment is still worth having. Earlier is simply easier.

What your GP will review

A preconception consultation at our Broadbeach clinic is a longer appointment than a standard visit. Broadly it covers:

  •       Your full medical history, including any chronic conditions such as diabetes, thyroid disease, epilepsy, asthma or high blood pressure.
  •       Every medication, supplement and over the counter product you take, since some are not suitable in pregnancy and alternatives need planning.
  •       Your menstrual cycle, any history of irregular periods, endometriosis or polycystic ovary syndrome.
  •       Previous pregnancies, including any complications or losses.
  •       Family history on both sides, including genetic conditions.
  •       Immunisation history.
  •       Alcohol, smoking and other substance use, discussed without judgement and with practical support if you want it.
  •       Your mental health, current and past.

None of this is a test you can fail. The purpose is to identify the things that are easier to address now than later.

Blood tests and screening

Preconception blood tests are usually straightforward, and with 4Cyte Pathology onsite at our Broadbeach clinic, collection can be done in the same visit as your consultation rather than requiring a separate appointment elsewhere.

Depending on your history, your GP may consider testing for immunity to rubella and chickenpox, blood count and iron studies, thyroid function, blood group and antibody status, and where relevant, screening for conditions that can affect pregnancy. Cervical screening status is also checked, since it is far simpler to complete before pregnancy than during it.

Genetic carrier screening is now more widely available in Australia and may be discussed depending on your family history and preferences. It is a personal decision, and your GP can explain what it does and does not tell you.

Immunity and vaccinations

Some vaccines, particularly live vaccines such as measles, mumps and rubella and varicella, are given before pregnancy rather than during it, with a recommended interval before conception. Others, including influenza and whooping cough, are recommended during pregnancy.

Checking immunity in advance means you are not caught in the position of discovering a gap at a point when the vaccine can no longer be given. Our clinic provides vaccinations and immunisations onsite, so any gaps identified can usually be addressed without a separate referral.

Nutrition, supplements and weight

Folic acid before conception and in early pregnancy is a long standing recommendation in Australia, and iodine is also routinely recommended. Your GP will advise on the appropriate form and dose for you, because requirements differ for some people, including those with diabetes, epilepsy, a raised body weight or a previous pregnancy affected by a neural tube defect. This is a case where general internet advice is genuinely insufficient.

General nutrition, physical activity and weight are discussed as part of overall health rather than as a target to hit before you are permitted to try. Where more detailed support would help, a referral to a dietitian may be appropriate.

Your partner’s health counts too

Preconception care is regularly treated as a women’s health topic, which quietly leaves out half the picture. Male factors contribute to a meaningful proportion of fertility difficulties, and men’s general health, medications, alcohol intake, smoking and weight are all relevant.

Our GPs are happy to see both partners, either together or separately. For male partners it is often the first GP visit in several years, which tends to be useful in its own right.

Mental health and the part nobody mentions

Planning a family is emotionally complex, and more so if there is a history of anxiety, depression, previous pregnancy loss or difficulty conceiving. Reviewing mental health before conception allows time to consider medication decisions carefully, and to put support in place rather than assembling it in a hurry later.

If you take medication for a mental health condition, do not stop it because you are planning a pregnancy. Bring it to the appointment. Stopping suddenly carries its own risks, and there are usually options worth discussing.

When to see a GP sooner rather than later

General guidance in Australia is to seek review after twelve months of trying without conception if you are under 35, and after six months if you are 35 or over. Come in earlier if you have irregular or absent periods, known endometriosis or polycystic ovary syndrome, a history of pelvic surgery or pelvic infection, or previous pregnancy loss. Where further investigation or specialist input is required, your GP can arrange referral.

Costs and bulk billing

A preconception check is usually booked as a long consultation, since there is a lot to cover and rushing it defeats the purpose. Associated pathology ordered for a recognised clinical indication generally attracts a Medicare benefit, though not every test does, and some screening tests carry an out of pocket cost.

Haan Health offers bulk billing for eligible patients and services. Eligibility can vary depending on the service you are booking and your individual circumstances, so the most reliable step is to call our reception team on (07) 5531 6033 before your appointment and ask what applies to you. Our team will explain any out of pocket cost clearly and in advance, so there are no surprises on the day.

Booking your appointment

Haan Health has supported Gold Coast families since 2010, and our Family Planning Clinic provides guidance on contraception, family planning, fertility and reproductive health. Our clinic at Level 1, 24 Victoria Square, Broadbeach is convenient for patients from Surfers Paradise, Mermaid Beach, Mermaid Waters, Bundall, Main Beach, Nobby Beach, Miami, Chevron Island and the wider Gold Coast area.

When booking, mention that you would like a preconception appointment so reception can allocate a longer slot.

Call Haan Health Medical Centre on (07) 5531 6033 or book online through our appointment page.