Pregnancy Planning

Deciding to start a family is a big step, and one that involves some planning. If you are just starting to try to have a baby, it is a good idea to talk with your OB/GYN. If you haven't selected an OB/GYN yet, this step can be an important part of your pregnancy planning. Patients in Greenville, Clemson, Spartanburg, and throughout Upstate, SC can use our physician search tool to find a local OB/GYN.

Once you have selected a doctor, he or she can let you know if there are any health concerns that you need to be aware of while trying to have a baby and get you on the right track for starting a family. Your doctor will provide information about nutrition and exercise, explain what to avoid during pregnancy, and give you additional tips so you can have the healthiest pregnancy possible.

In addition, when you are planning for a baby it is a good idea to start keeping track of your cycles so you will be able to let you doctor know your usual cycle pattern. You also can consider learning more about Natural Family Planning to help you learn more about your body and the cues it sends to let you know when you are at your most fertile

If you try to get pregnant for a year without success, be sure to let your doctor know, as you may need to have further testing to see if there are any conditions that are keeping you from getting pregnant. We wish you the best on your journey to parenthood!

Health Information

• Interactive Tool: When Am I Most Fertile?
  
• Preparing for a Healthy Pregnancy
  
• Fertility Awareness Information
• Home Pregnancy Test Information

Section Links

Need more information about planning for a baby? St. Francis helps patients in Greenville, Spartanburg, Clemson, and throughout the Upstate, SC area prepare for pregnancy with everything from prenatal classes and an overview of pregnancy stages to online hospital registration and tips for recognizing labor.

• Finding an OB/GYN
• Natural Family Planning