Planning

Health Nexus—Health Before Pregnancy: http://www.ontarioprenataleducation.ca/health-before-

health/services/publications/healthy-living/maternity-newborn-care-guidelines-chapter-2.html
Preconception for

WHERE CAN I LEARN MORE ABOUT PRECONCEPTION HEALTH AND RISK FACTORS?
Health Pregnancy

Government of Canada—Preconception Care: www.canada.ca/en/public-

Checklist…

Book an appointment with your healthcare provider today!

 Examine
your eating
habits
 Begin dietary
supplements,
such as folic
acid and
Vitamin D

pregnancy/
 Partake in
regular
physical “The goal of
activity preconception health
 Refrain from care is to optimize the
smoking,
drinking health of every women
alcohol, or and fetus”
other
substances Nancy Fleming
 Know your NURS 3031
personal and
family medical Sarah Ficek, Avery Figliomeni,
history Ashtyn Figliomeni & Ashley


 Stop all Johnson

contraception


PRECONCEPTION HEALTH
Preconception health is a women’s
health before she becomes
pregnant. There are a number risk
factors that you should be aware of
while thinking about
pregnancy.
A healthy pregnancy
starts months before
conception!
WHAT TO CONSIDER BEFORE
CONCEPTION
PRECONCEPTION WEIGHT
Undernutrition in women contributes to
20% of maternal deaths and is a
significant risk factor for stillbirths,
preterm births, small for gestational age
and low birth weight babies.
Obesity predisposes women to maternal
hypertensive disorders and gestational
diabetes.
A healthy BMI for pregnancy is between
18.5 and 24.9.
HOW CAN I MANAGE A HEALTHY
PRECONCEPTION WEIGHT?
 Calorie restriction
 Physical activities
 Have a support system
NUTRITION AND SUPPLEMENTS
FOLIC ACID
Folic acid is important for the healthy
growth of your unborn baby.
HOW CAN I INCREASE MY FOLIC ACID
INTAKE?
It is recommended that women who may
become pregnant take a supplemental
dose of 0.4 mg of folic acid each day at
least three months before getting
pregnant.
Dietary sources of folic acid
include; brown rice, dark
green leafy vegetables, nuts
and beans.
For more information on folic acid
intake during pregnancy visit:
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-
health/services/pregnancy/folic-acid.html
IRON, VITAMIN B12 & VITAMIN D
Insufficient Vitamin D results in calcium
deficiency and can lead to maternal
osteomalacia, pre-eclampsia, and low birth
weight babies.
Anemic mothers are more prone to have
premature, anemic, and growth-restricted
babies.
After consulting with your healthcare
provider, you may need to increase your
intake of Iron, Vitamin B12, and Vitamin D
through food sources or supplements.
SUBSTANCE USE
Substance use in the preconception period
predicts substance us during the prenatal
period. Early screening and interventions
are necessary to
ensure a safe,
healthy and
substance free
pregnancy.
WHAT CAN I DO TO PROTECT MY
BABY?
Preconception substance use is associated
with reduced fertility and delay in
conception among women and men of
reproductive age.
Eliminating smoking before or during
pregnancy could avoid 5-7% of preterm-
related deaths and 23-24% of causes of
sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
AGE
Although age is a non-modifiable risk
factor, it is important to take into
consideration when family planning.
The risk of having a baby with
chromosomal abnormalities increases with
maternal age.
Adolescent girls between the ages of 15
and 19 have an increased risk of
premature or low-birth-weight babies.