When to see a doctor — the pre-conception checkup
A short class from the Gaux library — credentialed teaching, ten minutes you can use tonight.
What this class is
The pre-conception checkup is one of the highest-leverage appointments in the entire family-building arc, and it is the one most people skip. This class is about what that visit is for, when to book it, and what to bring so the time in the room actually gets used.
Gaux built this because a single 30-minute visit before you start trying can surface medication conflicts, immunization gaps, baseline labs, family-history conversations, and lifestyle changes that are far harder to address mid-cycle. The class walks through the visit by section.
It is taught by a credentialed Gaux professional who runs pre-conception visits as part of routine practice, and it includes the questions worth asking your provider even if they do not bring them up first.
What you get
- A short, credentialed take on one part of the family-building road.
- Language that travels — bring it to your OB, RE, or partner without translation.
- Watch on your own time; the rest of the library opens with membership.
What you’ll learn
- What a pre-conception visit covers and how it differs from an annual gyn visit.
- When to book it — how far before you plan to start trying, and how that timeline shifts if you are on certain medications.
- Which lab values are worth checking now versus which can wait until you are pregnant.
- How to use the visit to surface medication and supplement conflicts that are easier to switch before conception than during a first trimester.
- Which family-history conversations to have with both your provider and your partner, and what carrier screening can and cannot tell you.
- Vaccinations and immunity titers worth confirming before conception, including the ones with timing windows.
- How to leave the visit with a short, specific list of next steps rather than a vague start trying soon.
Who it’s for
Anyone planning to try in the next three to twelve months, whether for a first pregnancy or a subsequent one. Useful even if you feel healthy — a meaningful portion of the visit is about timing and baseline, not problem-finding.
Inside this chapter
Other lessons in Thinking about trying — included with membership.
- 01The honest emotional conversation — are you ready, are you sure, what does this mean
- 02Partner alignment — having the real conversation
- 03When to see a doctor — the pre-conception checkup · you’re here
- 04Choosing your care team — OB-GYN vs. midwife vs. doula vs. reproductive specialist
Common questions
How far before trying should I book the visit?
Three months is a common minimum, and longer if you take medications that need a switch or taper. The class covers the timing logic in detail.
Will my regular OB-GYN do a pre-conception visit, or do I need a specialist?
Most OB-GYNs and family medicine providers do them. A specialist visit is only needed in specific clinical situations the class names.
Do I need a pre-conception visit if this is my second pregnancy?
Yes, especially if the first one had any complications or if more than a year or two has passed. The visit changes slightly for subsequent pregnancies.
What if my partner is not coming to the visit?
Most of the visit is for the person who will carry the pregnancy, but there are two or three pieces — family history and carrier screening — where a partner is helpful. The class flags those.