Trying to conceive in Singapore: a printable preparing-for-pregnancy checklist, your fertile window, stress, and when to see a doctor

In Singapore, trying to conceive starts three months before you begin, with a short preparing-for-pregnancy checklist. SingHealth recommends prenatal supplements with 400 micrograms of folic acid from at least three months before you try. HealthXchange, SingHealth's health site, advises getting vaccines such as MMR, chickenpox and hepatitis B done about three months ahead, and, if you're overweight, to lose at least 5% of your weight first. Stop alcohol and smoking, and vaping too, which is illegal in Singapore anyway. Book a dental check while you're at it. Then have regular sex across your fertile window. HealthXchange advises seeking fertility advice after six months of trying if your periods are irregular; the guide below sets out the usual time limits by age. The printable checklist below covers each step, and the sections after it give the details and how to handle the stress of trying.

A printable preparing-for-pregnancy checklist

Tick these off over the three months before you start trying. Both partners have a column, because sperm health counts too.

On vaping: HealthHub says vaping is prohibited in Singapore and that, from 1 May 2026, owning a vape can mean a fine of up to $10,000. On teeth: HealthXchange says dental check-ups are generally safe in pregnancy but advises against silver fillings while pregnant, so a check-up before you conceive gets any filling work out of the way.

Start with a preconception health check (at least 3 months ahead)

Your preconception health check, step by step

1. Book it at least three months before you start trying. HealthHub says to have a rubella antibody blood test at least three months before trying, and HealthXchange says to set aside about three months for any vaccines you need.
2. Pick where to go: a GP, a polyclinic, a gynae, or KKH's Couple's Preconception Clinic, which sees both partners. The table below compares them.
3. Bring your NRIC or pass, any referral letter, earlier medical reports and test results, and the medicines you take. That's KKH's list for a first appointment. Add any vaccination records you have.
4. Go through your health, medicines and habits. KKH's screening checklist covers fertility, long-term conditions, smoking and alcohol, mental wellness, vaccinations and sexually transmitted infections.
5. Ask about every medicine you take before you stop or change it. HealthXchange says your doctor can move you to medicines that are safe in pregnancy.
6. Get the vaccines you're not immune to, then wait before trying. HealthXchange says to wait 1 month after the MMR vaccine, and National University Polyclinics (NUP) says to wait three months after the chickenpox vaccine. Hepatitis B takes three doses over six months, NUP says, so start that one early.
7. Bring your partner. KKH's clinic offers health and lifestyle checks for both of you, and its fertility tests include a semen analysis, a pelvic ultrasound and hormone tests.
8. Go back for your results and a plan. KKH's clinic ends with a personalised care plan and follow-up. If you have a long-term condition, KKH says you'll need time to get it well controlled before you try.

Where to get a preconception check in Singapore

None of these pages lists a fee for the preconception visit itself, so ask when you book. If you have a long-term condition such as diabetes, high blood pressure, epilepsy or thyroid disease, use these months to get it well controlled. HealthXchange says good control matters because these conditions can affect how your baby develops. For heart, kidney or rheumatological disease, or complications in an earlier pregnancy, KKH's STORK Centre runs a consultant-led Obstetric Pre-Pregnancy Counselling Clinic that draws up a pre-pregnancy plan with you; ask your doctor about a referral. If you're choosing a doctor for this stage and beyond, see our guides to choosing a gynae in Singapore and prenatal checkups and scans.

Folic acid and prenatal vitamins

Folic acid is the one supplement nearly every guideline agrees on. Taking it before and during early pregnancy helps reduce the risk of neural tube defects such as spina bifida, which form in the first few weeks, often before a woman even knows she is pregnant. That is exactly why you start it before you conceive, not after the test turns positive.

• For most women, the commonly recommended dose is 400 micrograms (0.4 mg) of folic acid daily, started ideally three months before trying, as SingHealth advises, and continued through the first trimester
• A higher dose may be advised if you have diabetes, epilepsy, a high BMI, or a previous pregnancy affected by a neural tube defect. Confirm the right dose with your doctor rather than self-prescribing
• A general prenatal vitamin can be a convenient way to also get iodine, vitamin D and other nutrients, but it is not a substitute for a balanced diet

You do not need the most expensive bottle on the shelf. For a fuller breakdown of what actually matters in a supplement and how to choose without overspending, see our guide to prenatal vitamins in Singapore.

Coming off contraception: what to expect

For most methods, fertility comes back soon after you stop. The three-monthly injection is the slow one, so plan ahead if you use it.

• Pill and patch: SingHealth's guide from KKH says fertility returns once you stop. The NHS says that after the combined pill, fertility usually returns to previous levels after about a month.
• Vaginal ring: the NHS says fertility usually returns to previous levels after around 1 to 3 months.
• Copper or hormonal IUD (coil): fertility returns once it's removed, SingHealth says.
• Implant: fertility returns once it's removed, SingHealth says.
• Three-monthly injection (Depo-Provera): SingHealth says periods and fertility may take time to return. The NHS says it can take up to 1 year for fertility to return to previous levels.

Since fertility returns once you stop the pill, patch, coil or implant, you can start trying straight away. If your periods stay irregular, HealthXchange says ovulation may be variable or missing: keep having regular sex, and get fertility advice if you're not pregnant after six months of trying. Our fertile window guide shows how to spot ovulation once your cycle settles.

Understanding your fertile window

You can only conceive during a short window each cycle. An egg survives for roughly 12 to 24 hours after ovulation, while sperm can survive in the body for up to about five days. That means the fertile window is the five or so days leading up to ovulation plus the day of ovulation itself, with the highest chance in the two to three days just before.

Rather than obsessing over a single date, the simplest evidence-based advice is to have regular sex every one to two days across that window. Knowing roughly when you ovulate helps you focus your timing.

Ways to track ovulation

• Calendar tracking: in a regular 28-day cycle, ovulation tends to fall around day 14 (day 1 is the first day of your period). Cycles vary, so this is a rough guide only
• Cervical mucus: around ovulation, discharge usually becomes clearer, wetter and stretchy, similar to raw egg white
• Ovulation predictor kits: these urine tests detect the surge in luteinising hormone that happens about a day or two before ovulation, and are widely sold in Singapore pharmacies
• Basal body temperature: your resting temperature rises slightly after ovulation. Charting it confirms that ovulation happened but does not predict it in advance
• Tracking apps: handy for logging cycles and spotting patterns, but treat their predictions as estimates, not certainties

Try not to let timing turn intimacy into a chore. Couples who relax and aim for regular sex across the fertile window generally do as well as those who micromanage every test result.

Lifestyle changes that genuinely help

Lifestyle is the part you control most. The habits that keep you well also help both partners' fertility.

Diet and weight

• Aim for a balanced diet with plenty of vegetables, fruit, wholegrains, lean protein and healthy fats
• Work towards a healthy body weight before conceiving. Both a high and a very low BMI can disrupt ovulation and reduce the chance of conception, and being significantly overweight raises pregnancy risks
• There is no need for crash dieting. Steady, sustainable changes are more effective and safer

Smoking, alcohol and caffeine

• Smoking: stop if you can. Smoking is linked to reduced fertility in both women and men, and to poorer pregnancy outcomes. Vaping is not a safe substitute; our guide to alcohol and smoking in pregnancy lists Singapore's free quit help
• Alcohol: the safest approach when trying to conceive is to keep it minimal, and to avoid it entirely once you could be pregnant, since no safe level in pregnancy has been established
• Caffeine: moderate intake is generally considered fine, but it is sensible to keep it modest, roughly one to two cups of coffee a day, while trying

Exercise and stress

• Regular moderate exercise supports a healthy weight and wellbeing. Extreme, very intense training can disrupt cycles in some women, so aim for balance
• Trying to conceive can be stressful, and that is normal. Sleep, gentle exercise, and talking to your partner or a professional all help. Stress alone rarely stops conception, but your mental health is worth looking after for its own sake

Stress and pressure along the way

Sex on a timetable and a period you hoped wouldn't come can wear you both down. HealthXchange says getting pregnant can cause anxiety for some couples, and that emotional wellbeing matters as much as physical health. It also notes that ovulation can be affected by stress, weight and medicines. What no Singapore health page says is that stress alone stops you conceiving, so try not to add guilt about stress to the stress itself.

Ways couples cope:

• Share the tracking. One person shouldn't carry the app, the kits and the calendar alone.
• Keep some sex off the schedule. HealthXchange's advice is regular sex, not perfectly timed sex.
• Plan one thing a week that has nothing to do with babies: a sport, a hobby, a meal out. HealthXchange suggests exercise and hobbies to destress.
• Agree what you'll tell family, so you're not fielding "any news?" at every dinner.
• Set a review date together, such as six or twelve months, when you'll see a doctor if nothing has happened.

When to get help: if you feel low or anxious most days for two weeks or more, if trying is straining your relationship, or if you're starting fertility treatment. KKH's Psychological Medicine department says infertility and its treatment can be an emotional roller-coaster, that depression and anxiety can set in, and that therapy, counselling and, if needed, medicine help. HealthHub lists Fertility Support SG (hello@fertilitysupport.sg) as a community support group. If it's your second baby that isn't coming, our guide to secondary infertility covers that too, and after a loss, see trying again after a miscarriage.

Male fertility counts too

It is a common mistake to treat conceiving as only the woman's job. KKH says male subfertility is the cause for one in three couples with fertility issues, and many of the same rules apply. Men trying for a baby benefit from:

• Stopping smoking and recreational drugs, and keeping alcohol moderate
• Maintaining a healthy weight and a balanced diet
• Avoiding excessive heat to the testicles, such as very frequent hot saunas or resting a hot laptop on the lap for long periods, which can temporarily affect sperm
• Reviewing any medications or anabolic steroid use with a doctor, as some affect sperm production

If a couple has trouble conceiving, a semen analysis for the male partner is one of the first and simplest tests, and it should be done early rather than after months of investigating the woman alone.

When to see a fertility specialist

KKH says a healthy couple, both under 40, have about an 80% chance of pregnancy within a year of regular sex, and half of the rest conceive in the following year. So a few months without a positive test is common. Here's when to see a doctor:

• Under 35: SingHealth says after a year of trying without success.
• Over 35: SingHealth says after six months, because fertility falls with age. KKH lists women aged 35 and above among those who should see a doctor, and says natural fertility after 45 is almost zero.
• Irregular periods: HealthXchange says to get fertility advice after six months of trying.
• Earlier, at any age: SingHealth advises an early appointment after operations on the ovaries, fallopian tubes or womb, and suggests a fertility specialist after miscarriages. It also says to see a doctor early if either of you has had a sexually transmitted infection, cancer treatment or surgery that could affect conception.
• Conditions that affect fertility: KKH says to see a doctor if you have one. SingHealth names polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis and pelvic inflammatory disease as risks.
• For men: SingHealth says to see a doctor about erection or ejaculation problems, low libido, or pain and swelling in the testicles.

You don't have to wait for the deadline to pass. If something feels off, see a GP at any point. The same thresholds apply if you have a child already; our guide to secondary infertility explains why a second pregnancy can take longer.

Want to see a fertility specialist at KKH? Call KKH Central Appointments on 6294 4050, or ask a polyclinic for a referral if you'd like team care, KKH says. HealthHub lists two more public centres: the NUH Clinic for Human Reproduction (6774 5336) and the SGH Centre for Assisted Reproduction (6321 4377).

At KKH, citizens and PRs referred by a polyclinic or a CHAS GP pay subsidised rates; if you refer yourself, private rates apply. KKH lists a first consultation for a Singapore Citizen from S$37.20 to S$101.49 subsidised, or S$170.48 to S$222.14 as a private patient depending on the doctor's grade, before tests and medicine (prices effective 8 Aug 2025). If you need treatment, our guide to IVF in Singapore covers each cycle and the funding.

Costs and support in Singapore

Trying to conceive naturally costs little beyond supplements and the occasional ovulation kit. If you need assisted conception such as IUI or IVF, costs rise, but there is help. The Government provides co-funding for eligible couples undergoing assisted reproduction at public hospitals, and MediSave can be used to help pay for treatment within set limits. Because eligibility rules, age caps and co-funding amounts change over time, do not rely on figures you read on a forum. Check the current details on official sources before you budget.

It is also worth planning the wider financial picture early. Our guides on budgeting for a baby in Singapore and the MediSave maternity package walk through what to expect from preconception through delivery, so the money side does not catch you by surprise.

Frequently asked questions

What does a preconception health check include in Singapore?

KKH's screening checklist covers fertility, control of long-term conditions, smoking and alcohol, mental wellness, vaccinations and sexually transmitted infections. HealthHub says to test your rubella immunity at least three months before trying. At KKH's Couple's Preconception Clinic your partner is checked too, with tests such as a semen analysis.

When should I see a fertility specialist in Singapore?

SingHealth says see a doctor after a year of trying if you're under 35, or after six months if you're over 35. Go sooner if your periods are irregular, you've had surgery on your ovaries, tubes or womb, or you've had miscarriages. Book through KKH Central Appointments on 6294 4050, or ask a polyclinic for a referral for subsidised care.

How long does it usually take to get pregnant?

Most couples conceive within a year of regular, unprotected sex. Roughly 8 in 10 couples under 40 are pregnant within twelve months. Taking a few months is completely normal and not a sign that anything is wrong.

When should I start taking folic acid?

SingHealth says to start prenatal supplements with folic acid at least three months before you try, and to continue through the first trimester. The neural tube forms in the first few weeks, often before you know you are pregnant, which is why starting early matters. The usual dose is 400 micrograms a day, but check with your doctor if you have diabetes, epilepsy or a high BMI.

How long after stopping the pill can I get pregnant?

You can try straight away. SingHealth says fertility returns once you stop the pill, and the NHS says it usually returns to previous levels after about a month. The injection is slower: the NHS says fertility can take up to a year to return.

How do I know when I am ovulating?

Watch for clear, stretchy cervical mucus, use an ovulation predictor kit to detect the hormone surge a day or two before ovulation, or track cycles in an app. In a regular 28-day cycle, ovulation is often around day 14. Having sex every one to two days across the fertile window is the simplest approach.

At what age does fertility start to drop?

Fertility is highest in your twenties and starts to decline more noticeably from the mid-thirties. This is why women aged 35 and over are advised to seek help after about six months of trying, rather than waiting a full year.

Should my partner get checked too?

Yes. NUH says male factors account for at least 30 to 50 percent of fertility issues in couples. Our guide to fertility myths covers what helps. A semen analysis is a simple, early test, and the same lifestyle advice on smoking, weight, alcohol and heat applies to men.

What should I do before the baby arrives, beyond conceiving?

Once you are pregnant, look into antenatal care early. Our guides on early signs of pregnancy and antenatal classes in Singapore help you plan the next stage. You can also browse more parenthood planning guides on our blog.

What should be on a preparing-for-pregnancy checklist?

Folic acid from three months before, a preconception check, vaccines you're not immune to, a dental check, stopping alcohol, smoking and vaping, a healthy weight, and a look at your medicines. Your partner should stop smoking and keep alcohol moderate too.

Can stress stop you getting pregnant?

HealthXchange says stress can affect ovulation, but no Singapore health page says stress alone prevents pregnancy. If trying is making you anxious or low for weeks, talk to your doctor or a counsellor.

A note on medical advice

This guide is general information for couples in Singapore and is not a substitute for personalised medical advice. Fertility, medication safety, supplement dosing and treatment eligibility depend on your individual health. Always speak to a qualified doctor, such as your GP or a gynaecologist, before starting or stopping any supplement, medication or treatment, and for advice tailored to your situation.