English    Spanish
				< Previous    Next >
			A Checklist for your Checkup Facts for Women A good way to prepare for your child’s future is to get good medical care yourself, especially if you are thinking of becoming pregnant. See your doctor for a checkup at least once a year. Be sure to let your doctor know if you are planning a pregnancy and have a checklist of concerns to discuss. Infections, vaccines and medical conditions are important items for your checklist. Learn more about these topics below: Infections Remember to ask about the type of infections that you can get from having sex. Some of these infections that you can get “down there” include, chlamydia, herpes, HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis and bacterial vaginosis. HPV or human papillomavirus is the most common disease you can get from having sex. It’s important to get screened for it because a very small percentage of people with HPV can develop cervical cancer. Getting tested means ruling out a problem or getting started on a treatment. Many women have yeast infections, which can be treated by a doctor. Vaccines Vaccines can protect you and your baby from illness. If you are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor if you need any vaccines. The best time to receive vaccines is before you become pregnant. Vaccines prepare your body to fight an illness. Yet some vaccines are not safe when you’re pregnant. Talk to your doctor about vaccines that are right for you before, during and after pregnancy. Health experts recommend that pregnant women avoid the following live-virus vaccines: Live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) Measles Mumps Rubella (German measles) MMR (combined measles, mumps and rubella vaccine_) Varicella (chickenpox) BCG (tuberculosis)  Find out what vaccines you had as a child so you can make sure you are up-to-date on your shots. Make sure you’ve had a rubella and chickenpox shot. Contracting rubella and chickenpox in pregnancy can be dangerous for you and your baby. Medical Conditions Diabetes is a serious condition that is becoming more common among all groups of women. But women can often manage the problem if they change their diet and get regular exercise. It can often be easily managed with medication. It’s important to know if you have problems with your thyroid, which affects the way the body uses energy and regulates hormones. If you have seizures or high blood pressure (or take medications for other reasons), talk with you doctor about medications before you become pregnant. Make an appointment with your doctor or healthcare provider. Prepare a checklist of items to discuss with your doctor. Ask your doctor about what you need to do to stay healthy. Remember to get a pap smear, a breast exam and tests for any infections. Get checked for diabetes, thyroid disease, seizures and high-blood pressure. Some illnesses run in families and may be passed on to your baby. Talk you’re your doctor about any concerns you may have. You may choose to test your genes to learn about the chances of having a baby with certain birth defects. Testing your genes also can tell you if your illnesses can be passed down to your baby. While genetic testing is not harmful to you, not everyone needs genetic testing. Tools and sites: Learn more about the signs of diabetes Learn more to make the most of your checkup Pregnancy calendar Pre-natal Tests & Screening Procedures Facts about infections If you’d like to have a conversation with a women’s health professional, call Womenshealth.gov at 800-994-9662. The call and advice is free of charge. Learn more by calling the First 5 LA Parent Helpline at: 1-888-FIRST5-LA (1-888-347-7855) The First 5 LA Parent Helpline staff are trained to help find answers to many questions, including those relating to prenatal care and a child’s health. The call and advice is free of charge.