What types of medical conditions should I talk about with my health care provider?
Some medical conditions should be discussed with your health care provider.
Talk with your health care provider if:
- you or your partner have an inherited condition. An inherited condition usually ‘runs in the family’ with one or more people in the family having the condition. In some cases, those conditions can be the result of genes that parents pass on to their children.
- you or your partner have a birth defect or you have a family history of birth defects
- you have problems with your immune system and might be at higher risk for infections (including STIs)
- you’re not up-to-date on your immunizations
Your mental health could also affect your overall health. Talk with your health care provider if:
- you have or have had mental health concerns (such as depression or anxiety) or are being treated for a mental health concern
- you have been or are in an abusive relationship
- you are concerned about your substance use (such as using alcohol and other drugs or not using medicine as directed).
Speak with your health care provider if you have chronic health issues such as:
- diabetes
- high blood pressure
- cardiovascular conditions
- thyroid problems
- systemic lupus erythematosis (SLE)
- multiple sclerosis
- rheumatoid arthritis
- epilepsy
- chronic anemia
Also speak with your health care provider if:
- you have a history of miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant death
- you’ve had an earlier pregnancy affected by a neural tube defect (NTD) or you have a close relative with a NTD
- you’ve had surgery in your abdomen
- you’ve had breast surgery
- you’ve had a serious infection (such as pelvic inflammatory disease, STIs, appendicitis, or peritonitis)
- you have any other health condition that could affect pregnancy
Speak with your health care provider if you have chronic health issues such as:
- diabetes
- sickle cell anemia
- thyroid problems
- cystic fibrosis
- cirrhosis
- chronic renal insufficiency
- celiac disease
- panhypopituitafism (pituitary gland failure)
Also speak with your health care provider if:
- you’ve had surgery before, especially if it affects your reproductive organs
- you’ve had the mumps
- you have Kleinfelter syndrome, Autosomal, X chromosome defects as well as Y chromosome defects
- you have problems with your immune system and might be at higher risk for infections (including STIs)
- you have any other health condition that could affect the ability to conceive.