Before You Start Trying: Fact Sheets and Resources

Healthy Pregnancy Home > Trying to Get Pregnant? > Before You Start Trying > Fact Sheets and Resources

These publications and organizations can help you prepare for pregnancy, and learn about how to get pregnant:

• Preconception Health
• Family Planning/Contraception
• Genetic Counseling
• After 35

Preconception Health

Publications

1.   Preconception Care - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention hosts this Internet site as their main portal to finding information on preconception care.

   http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/preconception/

2.   Preconception Care Questions and Answers for General Public - This question and answer sheet discusses what preconception health and preconception health care are, explains the new recommendations on preconception health, and provides information on how to prepare for pregnancy, reproductive life plans, men's and community groups' roles in preconception health, and more.

   http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/preconception/QandA.htm

3.   Preconception Care Questions and Answers for Health Professionals - This fact sheet answers questions health professionals may have about the new preconception care recommendations released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

   http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/preconception/QandA_providers.htm

4.     Preconception Health and Care, 2006 - At A Glance - This publication explains what preconception care is, why it is a public health concern, and what the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention and local affiliates are doing to provide preconception care to pregnant mothers.

   http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/preconception/documents/At-a-glance-4-11-06.pdf

5.   Pregnancy Information Center, CDC - If you're pregnant or planning to get pregnant, you probably have a lot of questions. This web site will help you learn how to be healthy (before, during, and after pregnancy) and give your baby a healthy start to life.

   http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/pregnancy_gateway/default.htm

Organizations

1.   National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, CDC
2. March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation

= Indicates Federal Resources

Family Planning/Contraception

Publications

1.   Emergency Planning Tips If You're Pregnant or Have Young Children - Emergencies such as natural disasters can be a scary and stressful time, especially for pregnant women or women with infants or children. Though you may feel it is impossible to be ready for unexpected events, this site will help you avoid stress and put you in a better position to handle emergences.

   http://www.cdc.gov/Features/Emergencies/Pregnancy-Infants.html

2.   Frequently Asked Questions - Birth Control Methods - This fact sheet explains the different types of birth control (contraceptives) that are available for women and answers common questions that can help a woman decide which form is best for her. It discusses the safety and effectiveness of each method, and whether or not it protects against sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

   http://www.womenshealth.gov/faq/birthcont.htm

3. Fertility Awareness (Copyright © PPFA) - This publication contains information on the different ways that a woman can chart when she is the most fertile, when she has ovulated, and when she will be least likely to conceive.

   http://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-topics/birth-control/fertility-awareness-4217.htm...

4. How to Get Pregnant (Copyright © MFMER) - This fact sheet provides information that will help you understand when you are most fertile, what you can do to maximize your fertility, and when to visit a doctor.

   http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/how-to-get-pregnant/PR00103/METHOD=print&

5. Natural Family Planning (Copyright © AAFP) - This on-line publication provides information on natural family planning, how it works, the success rate, and the advantages.

   http://familydoctor.org/126.xml

Organizations

1.   Food and Drug Administration, HHS
2. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) Resource Center
3. American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM)
4. Association of Reproductive Health Professionals
5. Familydoctor.org
6. March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation
7. Planned Parenthood Federation of America

= Indicates Federal Resources

Genetic Counseling

Publications

1.   Genetic Consultation - This publication explains what a genetic consultation is, why you might need one, what happens during the consultation, and how you can find a genetic counselor in your area.

   http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/info=consultation/show/alltopics

2.   Genetic Counseling - This web site provides information about genetic counselors. It includes where to find local genetic counselors, how to become a counselor, and where to find other resources.

   http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/medicine/genecounseling.shtml

3. Genetic Counseling (Copyright © March of Dimes) - This publication provides information on genetic counseling and explains who would benefit from genetic counseling, what to expect during a consultation, and where to find a genetic counselor.

   http://www.marchofdimes.com/pnhec/4439_15008.asp

4. Genetic Counseling (Copyright © Nemours Foundation) - This publication contains information on what a genetic counselor is and who should see one. It also explains what to expect before and after a counseling session and how to find one.

   http://kidshealth.org/parent/system/medical/genetic_counseling.html

5. Genetic Testing: What You Should Know (Copyright © AAFP) - This publications contains information on genetic testing, what it is, who should be tested, and where to go to find out more information.

   http://familydoctor.org/462.xml

Organizations

1.   National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, CDC
2.   National Human Genome Research Institute, NIH, HHS
3.   National Office of Public Health Genomics
4. March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation
5. National Society of Genetic Counselors

= Indicates Federal Resources

After 35

Publications

1.   Age and Fertility: A Guide for Patients (Copyright © ASRM) - This publication is a guide for patients. It offers information about fertility after 40, different medical conditions, ovarian changes, treatment options and alternatives, support services and additional resources.

   http://www.asrm.org/Patients/patientbooklets/agefertility.pdf

2. Amniocentesis (Copyright © MOD) - This public education fact sheet contains information on amniocentesis and how it is used to diagnose birth defects during pregnancy.

   http://www.marchofdimes.com/professionals/14332_1164.asp

3. Pregnancy After 35: Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies (Copyright © MFMER) - This publication provides information on some of the special issues that you need to be aware of if you are over 35 and trying to conceive. It discusses possible difficulties, complications, and taking care of yourself during pregnancy.

   http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/pregnancy/PR00115/METHOD=print&

4. Pregnancy After Age 35 (Copyright © MOD) - This fact sheet discusses the ability of women over 35 to become pregnant, but also provides information on possible complications associated with age.

   http://www.marchofdimes.com/pnhec/173_812.asp

5. Pregnancy After Age 35 (Copyright © The Cleveland Clinic Foundation) - This fact sheet provides answers to some common concerns among women over age 35 who are trying to get pregnant. It discusses the risks and the prenatal screening tests that can be used to determine the health of the baby.

   http://www.clevelandclinic.org/health/health-info/docs/2300/2395.asp?index=9456

Organizations

1. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) Resource Center
2. International Council on Infertility Information Dissemination
3. March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation
4. Planned Parenthood Federation of America

= Indicates Federal Resources

Current as of April 2006