Journey to Parenthood: Your Guide to Family Planning and Fertility

Published June 16, 2023

Thinking about starting a family? Congrats—it’s an exciting time! But you may also have questions about things like fertility, getting pregnant, and having a healthy pregnancy, just to name a few.

We’ve put together a guide to provide some insights and support as you embark on your journey to parenthood.

Quest family planning & fertility tests

Our Pre-Pregnancy Panel, Testosterone Test, Ovarian Reserve Assessment, and hCG Pregnancy Test are available to purchase online—no doctor visit required. Included with your purchase, you’ll have the option to discuss your results with an independent physician at no extra cost.

What can I do to prepare for pregnancy?

If you’re planning to get pregnant, now’s a good time to see your doctor. “I’d recommend visiting a healthcare provider a couple of months before trying to conceive—or several months before if you have a pre-existing medical condition,” says Mary Jane Minkin, MD, clinical professor in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences at the Yale University School of Medicine.¹

During this visit, your doctor will review your health history, identify any ongoing medical concerns, and give guidance on fertility and healthy pregnancy. This is a perfect opportunity to ask questions and get some helpful advice.

7 questions to ask your doctor:

• When should I stop birth control? It can take time for your cycles to regulate after stopping hormonal birth control, like pills and patches. Your doctor can offer advice on when and how to stop your current form of birth control.
• How long will it take to get pregnant? Your doctor can offer general predictions based on age, health history, or your past experience.
• Do some health conditions affect my chances of getting pregnant? Your doctor can discuss health conditions, such as Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, thyroid disorder, sexually transmitted diseases, and sperm count or motility issues, that can affect fertility.
• Are there medications that can affect my pregnancy? Make sure to discuss medications you take with your doctor, as certain drugs, prescription and over the counter, can affect your chances of getting pregnant or harm your unborn baby.
• Do I need to take prenatal vitamins? It’s usually recommended that all women take folic acid 3-6 months before getting pregnant.² Your doctor can discuss what prenatal vitamin(s) to take to ensure a healthy pregnancy.
• Do I need to make changes to my diet or lifestyle? Weight, excessive exercise, smoking, and alcohol use can affect your fertility and pregnancy. These factors can also have also have a negative effect on fertility. Ask your doctor if there are any factors in your diet or lifestyle that may need your attention.
• Should I get a genetic test? Your doctor can discuss if genetic testing is needed to determine if you or your partner are DNA carriers for any inherited health conditions.

You doctor visit may also include these tests:

• Blood pressure
• Pap smear
• Pelvic exam
• Breast exam
• Urine test
• Blood test — to check vitamin levels, thyroid, STD status
• Immunizations for chickenpox or hepatitis B — if you haven’t had them already
• Uterine fibroids, cysts, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) — these conditions could affect fertility

Learn more about Planning for Pregnancy from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Quest family planning & fertility tests

Quest offers a variety of tests that can help support your journey to pregnancy. All our tests can be purchased online, with no doctor visit required. You’ll also have the option to discuss your results with an independent physician at no extra cost.

Pre-Pregnancy Panel

Want to know if your body is prepared for pregnancy? This test measures complete blood count, metabolic health, folic acid (folate) levels, and thyroid function.

Ovarian Reserve Assessment Marker AMH Test

Our AMH test measures the level of Anti-Mullerian Hormone in your blood to determine the number and quality of eggs in your ovaries.

Progesterone Test

This test will measure your Progesterone levels on day 21 of a 28-day cycle to help you understand if and when you’re ovulating.

hCG Pregnancy Test

Want to know if you’re pregnant? This test confirms pregnancy by detecting the pregnancy hormone, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG).

Testosterone Test

This test measures blood testosterone levels for men who have questions about their fertility.

Proov Confirm PdG Test Kit

The Proov Confirm PdG test measure PdG (progesterone metabolite) levels in the urine over the course of 4 key days — also called the implantation window — to confirm successful ovulation.

How can I boost fertility naturally?

There are some simple things you and your partner can do to help boost your chances of getting pregnant. If you’re still having trouble, make sure to visit your doctor for further suggestions and fertility testing.

• Follow a fertility diet - Leafy greens, chicken, fish, fruits and vegetables, beans, lentils, and healthy fats all contribute to optimal reproductive functioning.
• Keep your weight on target - Aim for a body mass index (BMI) of 20-24.2 Being overweight or underweight can affect ovulation cycles.
• Reduce stress Too much cortisol, a stress hormone, can cause irregular ovulation and menstrual cycles.
• Say “no” to alcohol and tobacco - Using alcohol, tobacco, or marijuana can have a negative impact on your reproductive system. Even a few drinks a week could affect your chances of getting pregnant.
• Track ovulation - To make sure egg and sperm connect, keep an eye on your ovulation cycle. You can buy an ovulation kit at your local pharmacy.
• Have more sex - Regular intimacy provides stress relief and increases blood flow to your uterus and ovaries, creating the optimal environment for egg and sperm. Having sex in the three day period before ovulation is best.² 
• Drink lots of water - Hydration improves overall blood flow and thickens cervical mucus, making it easier for sperm to penetrate.
• Take vitamin D - Low levels can cause low estrogen. Around 40 percent of women who have problems with regular ovulation are vitamin D deficient.² 
• Don’t use lubricants - Though more research needs to be done about lubricants and fertility, try using natural options, like mineral oil or Pre-Seed, during sex.
• Check your medications - Antidepressants, opioids, anabolic steroids, and other illicit drugs can also affect fertility.
• Avoid toxins - If you work with toxins, make sure to use protective equipment. Exposure can affect the quantity and quality of sperm.
• Keep cool - Some studies have shown that reducing scrotum exposure to excessive heat can improve sperm quality. Avoid hot tubs, saunas, and laptops, and wear loose-fitting underwear.

Check out Quest’s family planning & fertility tests for support on your journey to parenthood. You can purchase our tests online today.

No doctor visit is required to buy your own lab test at questhealth.com. PWNHealth and its affiliates review your purchase to ensure it is medically appropriate before submitting the test order for processing. PWNHealth also reviews your test results and will contact you directly if they require prompt attention. Included in each purchase is the option to discuss your test results with an independent physician; however, you are also encouraged to speak with your primary healthcare provider.

References

1. Harris, Nicole. 11 Questions to Ask Your Doctor if You Want to Get Pregnant Soon. Parents. May 17, 2019. Accessed April 12, 2023. https://www.parents.com/getting-pregnant/trying-to-conceive/what-should-i-ask-my-doctor-if-i-want-to-get-pregnant-soon/
2. Klepchucova, Anna. How to Increase Fertility Naturally: 9 Ways to Improve Fertility. Flo Health, Inc. Last Reviewed April 24, 2020. Accessed April 12, 2023. https://flo.health/getting-pregnant/trying-to-conceive/fertility/how-to-increase-fertility

Sources

1. Planning for Pregnancy. Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Last Reviewed February 15, 2023. Accessed April 12, 2023 https://www.cdc.gov/preconception/planning.html
2. Harris, Nicole. 11 Questions to Ask Your Doctor if You Want to Get Pregnant Soon. Parents. May 17, 2019. Accessed April 12, 2023. https://www.parents.com/getting-pregnant/trying-to-conceive/what-should-i-ask-my-doctor-if-i-want-to-get-pregnant-soon/
3. Melchor, Laura Ojeda. How PCOS Affects Pregnancy. Parents. Last Reviewed March 14, 2023. Accessed April 12, 2023. https://www.parents.com/pregnancy/complications/how-does-polycystic-ovarian-syndrome-affect-a-pregnancy/
4. Herr, Laurie. 22 Tips for a Healthy Pregnancy. Parents. Last Reviewed June 24, 2022. Accessed April 12, 2023. https://www.parents.com/pregnancy/my-body/pregnancy-health/healthy-pregnancy-tips/
5. Liao, Sharon. I’m Pregnant! Now What? Parents. Last Reviewed December 13, 2018. Accessed April 12, 2023. https://www.parents.com/pregnancy/everything-pregnancy/im-pregnant-now-what/
6. Klepchucova, Anna. How to Increase Fertility Naturally: 9 Ways to Improve Fertility. Flo Health, Inc. Last Reviewed April 24, 2020. Accessed April 12, 2023. https://flo.health/getting-pregnant/trying-to-conceive/fertility/how-to-increase-fertility
7. Healthy sperm: Improving Fertility. Mayo Clinic. May 13, 2022. Accessed April 12, 2023. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/getting-pregnant/in-depth/fertility/art-20047584