The choices you make before you become pregnant can affect the health of your future baby. For that reason, it is important to make healthy changes now. Living a healthy lifestyle can help to improve your chances of having a healthy baby.
What is Preconception Health?
Preconception Health refers to the health of a woman before she gets pregnant. It focuses on the conditions and risk factors that could affect a woman if she becomes pregnant. Preconception health applies to women who have never been pregnant, and also to women who would like to get pregnant again. Preconception health looks at factors that can affect both mom and baby. These include factors such as nutrition, taking prescription drugs or drinking alcohol. The key to preconception health is to get good medical care, practice healthy behaviors, ask for support from family and friends, and make your environment safe at home and at work.
Make a Reproductive Life Plan
A reproductive life plan is a set of personal goals about having (or not having) children. Your plan should also include how to achieve those goals. Everyone should make a reproductive plan based on personal values and resources. It is important to think about when and under what conditions you want to become pregnant. Then make sure your actions support your goals. Health care providers and counselors can help guide you with your plan.
What Should You Consider Before Becoming Pregnant?
Here are a few steps you can take to improve your health before you get pregnant:
- Quit smoking and stop drinking alcohol
- Eat healthy, exercise and maintain a healthy weight
- See a dentist for dental check-ups
- Manage stress and mental wellness
- Make decisions about pregnancy with your partner
- Avoid contact with toxic substances
- Think about your financial stability
- Seek out healthy relationships
- Think about the environment in which you live
- Schedule a health check-up with your doctor and ask about:
- taking folic acid
- vaccines you may need
- sexually transmitted diseases
- medicines and supplements that you take
- health screenings that you may need
- managing a chronic illness before pregnancy
- resources for mental health concerns
Does Your Child Need Health Insurance?
Community HealthWorks
Community HealthWorks is committed to serving families in the Sacramento region, gradually reducing the number of uninsured children. Community HealthWorks program staff are focused on reaching families throughout Sacramento County who are eligible for subsidized healthcare programs. They can assist you throughout the application process. Citizenship is not required for some programs. If you think your family is eligible, call toll-free at 1-866-850-4321 to make an appointment.
Medi-Cal for Kids & Teens
Medi-Cal for Kids & Teens provides free services to keep your child healthy from birth to age 21. These services include check-ups, shots, and health screenings. Also included are treatments for physical, mental, and dental health problems.
More Preconception Health Resources
