Preconception health describes a woman's or a man’s health before a pregnancy is conceived, regardless of whether they intend to become pregnant or not. We know that healthy women and men are more likely to have healthy babies who grow into healthy children, therefore thinking about your health before you become pregnant can improve your chances of a healthy pregnancy outcome for you and your baby.Test your knowledge with our quiz!
QUESTION 1 OF 10

Preconception health matters to all sexually active women and men who are at risk of becoming pregnant. Many pregnancies are unplanned. Even if overall health is good, some foods, habits, and medicines can affect an unborn baby if pregnancy occurs.

QUESTION 2 OF 10

This fact is concerning because half of all pregnancies are not planned. Using effective contraception every time you have sex is the best way to prevent unplanned pregnancy. More information on contraception choices

QUESTION 3 OF 10

All women who are sexually active and could become pregnant should take 400 to 800 micrograms (400 to 800 mcg or 0.4 to 0.8 mg) of folic acid every day to lower the risk of some birth defects of the brain and spine should pregnancy occur.

QUESTION 4 OF 10

Experts agree that women should be as healthy as possible before they become pregnant to reduce the likelihood of adverse pregnancy outcomes including preterm birth, low birth weight and birth defects.

QUESTION 5 OF 10

Men can take steps to boost their own health and protect the health of their partners. For example, men can be screened and treated for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) to prevent passing an STI to their female partners. STIs can be very harmful to pregnant women and their unborn babies. Also, men who work with chemicals or other toxins can be careful not to expose women to them. Adapting a healthier lifestyle is beneficial too, reducing alcohol consumption, eating a healthy balanced diet, taking regular exercise and stopping smoking are all steps men can take.

QUESTION 6 OF 10

The Chief Medical Officers for the UK recommend that women should not consume any alcohol when they are trying to become pregnant. This way, should you become pregnant you will avoid potentially harmful exposure to your baby during the earliest stages of development.

QUESTION 7 OF 10

Learning about health problems that run in your or your partner's family can help you to figure out any genetic risk factors that could affect the health of any children you might have?

QUESTION 8 OF 10

Interconception health describes health status between pregnancies. This is just as important as considering your health status before your first pregnancy.

QUESTION 9 OF 10

Physical, emotional, psychological or sexual abuse often begins or escalates during pregnancy. Domestic abuse during pregnancy puts mother and baby at risk from miscarriage, infection, premature birth, injury or death.

QUESTION 10 OF 10

Some medicines and over the counter drugs and supplements can be harmful to a developing fetus. Women who are prescribed teratogenic medicines (medicines which can cause birth defects) should be informed of the risks and provided with appropriate contraception to prevent pregnancy as well as being advised to talk with a GP or specialist before stopping any medication.