When you are preparing to start a family, it’s a great time to focus on your health. Caring for your baby can start before conception, through pre-conception care.

Pre-conception care can give your baby the gift of a lifetime. Before your child’s life even begins, you can take steps to help them to have a great start in life. So, what options areavailable?

Health assessments are a good place to start. With a clear picture of your health, you can take steps to reduce potential risks for your child. From nutritional requirements to genetic risk factors, it can be helpful to be informed.

MTHFR testing is one health assessment. This is all about checking a genetic factor that might affect your ability to metabolise folate, turning it into a form that your body can use.

In some cases, this might be a useful test, giving you some more information about your body. You may have heard that folate is an important nutrient, especially during pregnancy. By having enough folate, you can help to prevent certain birth defects in your child, particularly in the earliest stages of your child’s development.

You might also like to consider gaining a broader overview of your health. Other nutritional tests can highlight changes you might want to make to your diet or lifestyle before you conceive. Certain supplements, such as folic acid, might also help to boost your baby’s health before they are even born.

Starting a family is a wonderful experience, and a very important time. Pre-conception care can help you to plan for this time, giving your child a wonderful start to their life. Of course, your health is complex and individual. If you’re considering starting a family, it’s a good idea to consult with qualified health professionals. This way, you can get a picture of your individual nutritional needs, risk factors, and fertility.

We wish you all the best for this wonderful time.