Whats your role? Preconception Health

Non-planner_hugging_eyes_open_web_3944Having healthy babies isn’t just about having a healthy pregnancy: The health of a woman prior to pregnancy has the largest impact on birth outcomes.

Preconception health is a woman’s health during the years she can have a child. If you are planning to have a baby, your health prior to pregnancy can have a big affect on the health of your baby. If you’re not planning to become pregnant, your future is filled with many possibilities and choices. It’s important to show yourself some love so you’ll be ready to take on the world!

NIMAM_LOGO_FINALHealthy eating, getting exercise, taking folic acid daily, avoiding drugs and alcohol — these are all steps to a healthier you. Find out more steps by completing a checklist:

A new toolkit is available for primary care physicians to help them meet their patients’ preconception needs. The National Preconception/Interconception Care Clinical Toolkit is available on the BeforeandBeyond website and focuses on the response to the question “Are you hoping to become pregnant in the next year?”