How to Prepare for Pregnancy and Childbirth

Preparing for pregnancy and childbirth starts with a doctor’s appointment, a health check, and a thoughtful support plan. Begin by discussing pregnancy with your doctor, who can suggest steps that are right for you.

Preparation is about more than a list of tests: it’s important to discuss chronic conditions and medications, everyday habits, and concerns. You can also think through a birth plan in advance, while leaving room to make decisions as circumstances arise.

• 150 minutes per week a physical activity guideline when preparing for pregnancy
• 200-300 mg recommended daily caffeine limit when preparing
• 20 working days the decision period may be extended by if required information or documents are missing

Where should you start when preparing for pregnancy?

Start by having a general medical checkup and consulting your doctor. This can help identify chronic conditions and infections in advance, discuss your reproductive health, and determine which tests are right for you.

Tell your doctor about any diagnoses and medications you take, and ask whether you should start taking vitamins. The same tests aren’t right for everyone: what you need depends on your health and medical history.

What you can change in advance

• Smoking and alcohol. Give them up before conception.
• Nutrition and sleep. Establish regular meals and a consistent sleep schedule.
• Emotional readiness. Talk with your partner about whether you’re ready to become parents and what support you expect from each other. This is part of family planning, not a medical checkup.

If you have a chronic condition or take medication, first talk to your doctor about preparing for pregnancy in light of your circumstances.

Which habits should you change before conception?

Before conception, work on getting enough sleep, adding manageable physical activity, limiting caffeine, and checking with your doctor before taking vitamins.

• Sleep. Plan your schedule so you’re asleep by 23:00. If that’s difficult, don’t try to make up for lost sleep with vitamins.
• Physical activity. Aim for 150 minutes a week. Discuss the right type of activity with your doctor.
• Caffeine. Limit it to 200–300 mg—about two to three cups of coffee a day. Remember that caffeine is found in other drinks and foods, too.
• Vitamins. It’s best to start taking them after consulting your doctor, especially if you have a chronic condition or are already taking medication.

If you take ongoing medication or have restrictions on physical activity, discuss them with your doctor before changing your routine or starting vitamins.

What should you do after pregnancy is confirmed?

After your pregnancy is confirmed, continue medical care. Tell your doctor about any chronic conditions, medications you take, and changes in how you’re feeling.

Your care plan depends on how far along you are and your individual needs. Your doctor will recommend screening and tests; don’t replace that plan with a list from the internet or cancel a prescribed test on your own.

What to discuss with your doctor

• Activity. Tell your doctor how much you move around and which activities you’d like to continue, and agree on an appropriate level of physical activity.
• Vitamins and medication. Ask what to keep taking and whether your usual treatment needs to change. Don’t stop medication without consulting your doctor.
• Daily routine. Discuss nutrition, sleep, and any changes in how you’re feeling that interfere with everyday activities.
• Emotional well-being. If anxiety or low mood is affecting your daily life, tell your doctor.

Write down your questions before your appointment and bring a list of the medications you take. This makes it easier to fit the advice you receive into your everyday life.

How can you prepare for childbirth and your baby’s first days?

You can prepare for childbirth and your baby’s first days in advance: discuss your care and birth plan with a healthcare professional, write down questions about how you’re feeling, divide up household tasks, and find out how to apply for benefits.

At your appointment with a healthcare professional, find out where you’ll receive care and which decisions about childbirth are worth making in advance. Write down questions about pain and changes in your abdomen: specific symptoms and ways to manage them depend on how far along you are and your health.

Support after childbirth and paperwork

Make arrangements in advance for who will help after the baby arrives—for example, by taking care of household tasks while you recover. Discuss not just their willingness to help, but specific tasks too: preparing meals, picking up essentials, or watching the baby while you rest.

Maternity benefits are arranged together with maternity leave. Before submitting documents, check with your employer and the Social Fund to find out what you’ll need in your specific situation: the requirements may depend on the circumstances of your application. It’s a good idea to write down your questions and answers so you can refer to them at your appointment and when applying for benefits.

How do you apply for maternity benefits, and what can delay a decision?

Maternity benefits are arranged through maternity leave: once the leave is approved, salary payments stop and benefit payments begin instead; in every region, the Social Fund pays the benefit directly to the employee.

To receive the benefit, check with your employer that information confirming your eligibility has been sent to the Social Fund of Russia. If you need to provide supporting documents, submit them and check with your employer or the Social Fund that they have arrived.

What can delay a decision

The decision period for an application is extended by 20 working days if the Social Fund of Russia hasn’t received information from organizations or documents from the applicant confirming eligibility for the benefit. If there’s a delay, first find out exactly what information or documents are missing and who needs to provide them.

When does preparation or benefit eligibility depend on individual circumstances?

Preparation and benefit eligibility depend on individual circumstances: a doctor determines the testing plan if you have chronic conditions, reproductive health concerns, or take medication, while maternity benefits are available only to women.

Maternity benefits are a separate payment and are not the same as the childcare benefit. If you’re already pregnant, don’t try to make up for all the recommendations for the preconception period. Ask your doctor at your appointment what to do next and which tests you need.

When a decision about benefits is delayed

The decision period for awarding benefits may be extended by 20 working days if required information hasn’t arrived or supporting documents are missing. Check which documents are needed for the payment and whether all the required information has been submitted.

Frequently asked questions