(HealthDay News) -- Partners play an important role in helping moms prepare for pregnancy, and in helping to ensure that the pregnancy goes smoothly.

The womenshealth.gov website offers these suggestions:

• Partners should discuss when the time for pregnancy is right.
• Partners should be screened for sexually transmitted infections before pregnancy to prevent transmission.
• Quit smoking, manage stress, eat a healthy diet, avoid illegal drug use and limit alcohol use to reduce the risk of fertility problems.
• Partners should have a medical checkup to discuss personal health, medical history, family history and medication use.
• Anyone who works with toxic chemicals should avoid exposing moms-to-be.