Planning for pregnancy with Martine Tesone, CNM, DNP of Foothills Community Midwives

As the days begin to grow longer and tulips sprout from the ground, many start thinking about fresh starts and new beginnings. For some, that new beginning includes growing their family.

If you are trying to conceive, the teams at Foothills Community Midwives and Boulder Women’s Care are here to support you from the very beginning.

For Martine Tesone, CNM, DNP, preconception visits are one of her favorites.

“When I see a preconception appointment on the schedule for the day, I get excited,” Tesone shares. “Talking about pregnancy, including optimizing the success of a healthy pregnancy, puts a smile on my face.”

As a midwife, she values these visits because they create a strong foundation for a healthy pregnancy, birth and postpartum experience.

“The first pregnancy visit includes a lot of information, questioning and decision-making, and most people are simply overwhelmed,” Tesone voices, “There is an opportunity to skip the overwhelm and discuss eighty percent of the context at a preconception visit.”

Whether someone conceives after their next cycle – or 11 months later – much of the education, planning and guidance remains the same. That is what makes the visit so valuable.

Preconception appointments are especially helpful for individuals or couples with:

• Anxiety
• Prescription medications for mood disorders
• Chronic medical conditions
• A history of infertility
• A history of preterm labor, rupture of membranes or preterm birth
• A history of miscarriage, particularly recurrent miscarriages

“These visits allow us to assess overall physical, emotional and reproductive health,” Tesone notes. “We can review medical history, medications and chronic conditions, address nutritional status, update vaccines and screen for genetic or hereditary conditions.”

This proactive approach reduces risks before pregnancy even begins.

Preconception visits are not only clinical, but also create space for thoughtful conversations about timing, preferences and values.

Discussions during your preconception visit may include:

• Timing of pregnancy
• Brith preferences and philosophy of care
• Lifestyle factors such as nutrition, exercise, substance use and stress
• Cultural or personal values surrounding pregnancy and parenting

“When patients feel informed early, they enter pregnancy with confidence and clarity,” says Tesone.

Meeting your provider before conception also allows trust to develop sooner.

“This relationship-centered approach is at the heart of midwifery care,” Tesone shares. “Preconception appointments embody preventive, holistic and woman-centered care. They allow us to move from reactive treatment to proactive wellness, supporting families from the very beginning of their journey.”

Preconception appointments may be completed in person or virtually, making them accessible and convenient.

Revisit your routines

Spring is often a season of reset. Preparing for pregnancy can include refreshing daily habits.

Balanced nutrition, regular movement, adequate sleep and limiting alcohol and tobacco use can support overall health. Beginning a prenatal vitamin with folic acid at least one month before trying to conceive is also recommended.

Understanding your menstrual cycle can also empower you as you begin trying to conceive. Tracking cycles may help identify fertile windows and bring greater awareness to your body.

Addressing common fertility misconceptions

Our providers often help patients navigate myths about fertility.

One common misconception is that stress alone causes infertility.

“Stress can affect cycles, but it is rarely the sole cause,” Tesone asserts. “Telling someone to ‘just relax’ is unhelpful. Medical factors usually play a larger role.”

Another myth is that a healthy lifestyle guarantees fertility.

“Healthy habits improve chances, but they do not eliminate risk,” Tesone says. “Even healthy people can face fertility challenges.”

Understanding these realities can reduce unnecessary guilt and encourage earlier conversations with a provider if concerns arise.

From conception to birth

Trying to conceive can bring a lot of excitement, but also uncertainty. This Spring, consider taking the first steps with a preconception visit.

Appointments can be completed in person or virtually, making them convenient and accessible.

We see patients in Boulder and Erie. To schedule a preconception appointment or learn more about maternity services, please call Foothills Community Midwives at 303-415-4045 or Boulder Women’s Care at 303-415-0587.

Whether you receive care with Foothills Community Midwives or Boulder Women’s Care, the journey continues with delivery at BCH’s Family Birth Center. The Family Birth Center provides a supportive, family-centered environment focused on safety, comfort and personalized care.

Learn more about our Family Birth Center by signing up for a tour today.