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Pre-pregnancy counselling - a healthier start, planned early.

The single most useful appointment you can have before trying to conceive. Medicines reviewed, conditions optimised, folic acid and vaccinations sorted, and - where it matters - carrier screening and genetic advice, all with a consultant who will still be there when you are pregnant.

See indicative pricing
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Indicative pricing

What private pre-pregnancy counselling costs in the UK.

Indicative ranges across our partner maternal-medicine clinics.

In short

£200–£400, or £350–£650 with baseline bloods.

Consultation Indicative range
Pre-pregnancy counselling consultation £200–£400
Consultation plus baseline blood panel £350–£650
High-risk / maternal-medicine consultation £300–£550
Recurrent miscarriage work-up (initial) £450–£900
Genetic counselling session £300–£600
Diabetes / thyroid optimisation clinic £250–£500
Couple / partner assessment add-on £120–£250

Prices vary by clinic, by the consultant, and by how many tests are added - carrier screening, a recurrent-miscarriage panel or specialist input all sit at the higher end. Blood tests are usually billed separately.

The problem

By the time you see two lines, the most useful window has often passed.

The early weeks of pregnancy - before most people even test - are when a baby’s spine and organs form. Optimising medicines, folic acid and health conditions works best beforehand. That is exactly what this appointment is for.

  • Get medicines right before, not after

    A few common drugs need switching before conception. Sorting this early protects both your health and a future pregnancy.

  • Optimise conditions with lead time

    Tight glucose control, blood pressure, thyroid and weight all improve outcomes - but need weeks or months, not days.

  • Know your risks, and your options

    Age, history and family genetics can be understood and planned for calmly now, rather than in a rush once you are pregnant.

When it helps

When pre-pregnancy counselling is worth it.

The situations we see most, plus the one red flag that means specialist counselling urgently rather than a routine appointment.

  • A long-term condition

    Diabetes, epilepsy, high blood pressure, thyroid disease, lupus, inflammatory bowel disease or a heart condition - all benefit from being optimised before conception.

  • Medicines that may harm a pregnancy

    Some drugs - sodium valproate, methotrexate, warfarin, certain blood-pressure tablets - need switching well before you conceive, not once you see two lines.

  • Previous miscarriage or loss

    Recurrent miscarriage, a stillbirth, a pre-term birth or a baby with a condition - worth understanding and planning for before trying again.

  • Age 35 and over, or 40 and over

    Fertility, chromosomal risk and pregnancy complications all rise with age. Counselling helps you weigh timing, testing and realistic options.

  • A family history worth checking

    Cystic fibrosis, thalassaemia, sickle-cell, fragile X, Huntington’s or a known inherited condition - carrier screening and genetic counselling can be arranged.

  • Weight, smoking, alcohol or lifestyle

    A high or low BMI, smoking, alcohol or recreational drug use all affect conception and pregnancy - this is the moment to plan changes with support.

  • Simply wanting to do it well

    You do not need a problem. Many people come for reassurance, the right folic acid dose, vaccinations and a clear, evidence-based plan before trying.

  • Red flag: a heart condition or severe illness

    Some conditions - pulmonary hypertension, a mechanical heart valve, severe kidney disease - carry serious pregnancy risk and need specialist counselling urgently, not a routine booking.

What it covers

The right level of counselling depends on you.

  • GP-led preconception advice

    For most healthy people, your GP can cover folic acid, vaccinations, lifestyle and basic bloods. We will tell you honestly if that is all you need.

  • Consultant obstetrician review

    For previous complications, recurrent loss or general reassurance from a specialist - a fuller assessment and pregnancy plan.

  • Maternal-medicine (high-risk) clinic

    For serious long-term conditions - cardiac, renal, autoimmune, neurological - where pregnancy needs joint planning with the relevant specialty.

  • Diabetes preconception clinic

    Tightening HbA1c, switching to insulin where needed, high-dose folic acid and retinal and kidney checks before conception to cut the risk of complications.

  • Epilepsy and medication review

    Reviewing anti-seizure medicines, moving away from valproate where possible, and balancing seizure control against fetal safety with a neurologist.

  • Genetic counselling and carrier screening

    For family histories or known inherited conditions - carrier testing, risk explanation, and options including prenatal or pre-implantation genetic testing.

  • Recurrent miscarriage work-up

    Structured investigation after repeated losses - clotting, thyroid, anatomy and genetic factors - with a plan for the next pregnancy.

  • Couple and partner assessment

    The partner’s health, medicines, family history and lifestyle matter too. We can include a partner review where it is relevant.

Key advice and safety

What to know before you start trying - honestly.

Pre-pregnancy counselling is low-risk by nature - it is a conversation and some tests. The things worth planning are medicines, conditions, folic acid and timing.

  • This is planning, not a procedure

    Pre-pregnancy counselling is a consultation and, sometimes, blood tests. There is no operation, no anaesthetic and no recovery - the only investment is a little time before you conceive.

  • Folic acid: dose matters

    Most people need 400 micrograms daily from before conception until 12 weeks. Higher risk - diabetes, epilepsy medicines, previous neural-tube defect, high BMI - usually means 5 milligrams.

  • Never stop medication on your own

    Some drugs are unsafe in pregnancy, but stopping abruptly can be dangerous too. Changes are planned with a specialist so your own health stays protected.

  • Optimisation needs lead time

    Better glucose control, a medication switch, weight change or stopping smoking work best with weeks to months before conception - which is exactly why coming early helps.

  • Immunity and vaccination

  • Alcohol, smoking and caffeine

    No amount of alcohol is known to be safe in pregnancy. Stopping smoking and moderating caffeine before conception improves your chances and the pregnancy.

  • Genetic risk is about information, not judgement

    Carrier screening and genetic counselling exist to give you clear options - including reproductive routes such as pre-implantation testing - never to pressure a decision.

  • Some conditions carry real risk

    A few conditions make pregnancy genuinely high-risk. Honest counselling - including when pregnancy should be delayed or reconsidered - is part of the job.

  • When to seek help sooner

Reading your written plan

Your plan in four parts. Read the last one first.

Whatever your history, the plan the consultant sends you keeps to the same shape - so you always know what to do next.

A UK consultant obstetrician reviewing a patient’s pre-pregnancy plan

A quiet reminder

Medical advice can feel like a long list - we help you sequence it.

If you would like us to talk you through your plan and any test results before you start trying, just ask.

  1. 01 Summary

    Your risk profile and priorities

    A plain-language summary of anything in your health, history or medicines that matters for pregnancy, and what to tackle first.

  2. 02 Actions

    What to take, stop and change

    Your folic acid dose, medication changes, vaccinations, and lifestyle steps - written clearly, with timings.

  3. 03 Tests

    Results and any further checks

    Your baseline blood results, immunity status, and any carrier or specialist tests still recommended.

  4. 04 Plan

    Timing and next steps

    Read this first: when you are cleared to try, when to return, and how care hands over to your antenatal team once you conceive.

Recognised by major UK insurers

BupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealixBupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealixBupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealix

Routine preconception counselling is often self-funded, but consultant reviews for a diagnosed condition or recurrent pregnancy loss may be covered.

Frequently asked

Everything we get asked about pre-pregnancy counselling.

Quick answers on timing, medicines, folic acid, cost and involving your partner.

  • When should I have pre-pregnancy counselling?

    Ideally three to six months before you start trying, and earlier if you have a long-term condition or take regular medication. Optimising glucose control, switching a medicine, updating vaccinations or losing weight all need lead time to make a difference, so the earlier you come, the more we can do.

  • Do I really need it if I am healthy?

    Not everyone does. Many healthy people are well served by GP advice on folic acid, vaccinations and lifestyle. We will tell you honestly if that is all you need. Counselling adds most value when you have a medical condition, take regular medicines, are over 35, or have had a previous pregnancy problem.

  • What folic acid dose should I take?

    Most people take 400 micrograms daily from before conception until 12 weeks of pregnancy. A higher 5 milligram dose is usually recommended if you have diabetes, take certain epilepsy medicines, have a high BMI, or have had a previous baby with a neural-tube defect.

  • I take medication for a long-term condition - is it safe in pregnancy?

    Some medicines are safe, some need a dose change, and a few should be switched before you conceive. The key rule is never to stop a medicine on your own, because your own health matters too. We review everything and plan any changes with the relevant specialist so both you and a future pregnancy are protected.

  • How much does pre-pregnancy counselling cost privately in the UK?

    Roughly £200–£400 for a standalone consultation, £350–£650 with a baseline blood panel, and £300–£550 for a high-risk or maternal-medicine review. Genetic counselling is around £300–£600 and a recurrent-miscarriage work-up £450–£900.

  • Can my partner be involved?

    Yes, and often they should be. A partner’s health, medicines, family history and lifestyle all affect conception and, through carrier screening, the risk of inherited conditions. We can include a partner review as part of the appointment where it is relevant.

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