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 or genetic 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
- cirrhosis
- chronic renal insufficiency
- celiac disease
- panhypopituitarism (pituitary gland failure)
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 before, especially if it affects your reproductive organs
- you’ve had a serious infection (such as pelvic inflammatory disease, STIs, appendicitis, or peritonitis)
- you’ve had the mumps
- you have any other health condition that could affect the pregnancy or the ability to conceive
