Happy Mother's Day! Hello National Women's Health Week.

By Grey Genetics · May 2019

May brings National Women's Health Week (beginning May 12), Mother's Day, and another round of 23andMe running their "We Love Mom Genes" sale. A few thoughts worth holding onto this time of year.

If you're a woman, the basics still matter most: regular check-ups and preventive screenings, 30 minutes of physical activity a day, 7–8 hours of sleep, eating well, and taking care of your mental health. Learn more at WomensHealth.gov.

If you're lucky enough to have a good relationship with your family, Mother's Day is actually a good time to ask about your family health history — about grandparents, that one uncle everyone calls the "crazy one," and especially about any history of cancer, heart disease, or other conditions that run in the family. If you have concerns about genetic conditions that may run in your family, a family history review with a genetic counselor is a straightforward first step.

If you want to become a parent, consider preconception genetic counseling before you start trying. It's a much easier conversation to have before pregnancy. And start taking a prenatal vitamin now — look for at least 400 micrograms of folic acid to help reduce the risk of neural tube defects.