If you’re hoping to get pregnant in the near future, one of the most powerful things you can do is spend a little time preparing your body. Think of pregnancy like a marathon: you can show up untrained, but taking a few months to build strength, nourish properly, and understand what your body needs can make the whole journey smoother.

And the very first step: Check your current health and your key nutrient levels.

Before focusing on supplements, diets, or lifestyle changes, it's important to understand where you’re starting from. This gives you clarity, confidence, and a personalised roadmap for what to focus on, without guessing or relying on generic advice.

As a prenatal nutritionist, this is exactly where I begin with every woman and couple I work with. Here’s what you need to know.

Why testing before pregnancy matters

When you're trying to conceive, several nutrients and hormones play a major role in fertility, energy, hormone balance and early pregnancy development. Deficiencies or imbalances can happen quietly, without symptoms, and can be missed unless you check.

Getting a simple blood test before trying to conceive helps you:

• Identify any nutrient gaps

• Understand why you may be feeling tired, run-down, or “not quite right”

• Personalise your preconception nutrition and supplements

• Support healthy ovulation

• Prepare your body for the nutrient demands of pregnancy

• Reduce the risk of complications like anaemia or low vitamin D later on

It’s one of the most empowering things you can do to support your future pregnancy.

The key nutrients to check before getting pregnant

If you can only test a few things, start with these four:

1. Vitamin D

Vitamin D plays an essential role in immune health, hormone balance, and supporting healthy pregnancy outcomes.

Tip: Levels within the “normal” range may still be suboptimal for pregnancy. Ideally, we want to see vitamin D levels at least 75 nmol/L.

2. Folate

Folate is crucial for early fetal development and helps reduce the risk of neural tube defects. Testing folate levels ensures you’re starting pregnancy in a good place.

3. Vitamin B12

Low B12 can affect energy, fertility, egg quality, and neurological function. If you are vegan or vegetarian, this test is especially important.

4. Iron (Ferritin)

Iron stores often deplete during pregnancy, so entering pregnancy with low iron can increase the risk of fatigue, breathlessness, and later anaemia.

Other helpful tests to consider

Alongside nutrient levels, these tests give a clearer picture of your overall health, hormone balance, and metabolic function:

Blood Sugar (HbA1c)

Helps identify how your body manages glucose, which is also important for preventing gestational diabetes later.

Thyroid Function (TSH, T3, T4, and thyroid antibodies if possible)

Even mild thyroid imbalances can affect fertility, ovulation, and early pregnancy.

Reproductive Hormones

These may include FSH, LH, oestradiol, progesterone, prolactin, or AMH depending on your situation.

Not everyone needs all of these, but they can be especially helpful if you’re experiencing irregular cycles or have been trying to conceive for a while.

How to get these tests done

You have a couple of options:

1. Through your GP

Some tests can be covered by your GP, depending on your symptoms or health history. It’s always worth asking.

2. Private testing

Private blood tests are becoming more accessible. Many services allow you to order online and visit a local clinic for a quick blood draw.
Choose a reputable provider that offers clear, evidence-based ranges and easy-to-read reports. I often recommend Medichecks Ultimate Performance test as a good all-rounder.

What to do when you get your results

The goal isn’t perfection, it’s information.

Look through your results and ask:

• Are any levels low or borderline?

• Are there nutrients you need to focus on through food or supplements?

• Are there areas that might need support before conception?

For example, it’s common for vitamin D to show as “normal” on a standard lab report even when it’s lower than ideal for pregnancy. In that case, you might simply adjust your supplement dose.

These small changes now can make a meaningful difference when you’re pregnant.

Preparing for pregnancy starts with clarity

Checking your nutrient and hormone levels is one of the simplest, most important steps you can take to support your fertility and future pregnancy.

It gives you:

• A personalised starting point

• Clear direction

• Confidence that you’re doing everything you can to nourish yourself

Whether this is your first baby or your third, taking a little time to prepare your body is an investment in your energy, your health, and your future pregnancy journey.

If you have questions about testing, your results, or preparing your body for pregnancy, feel free to reach out - I’m always here to help.