- Categories:
- Health
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- FamilyHealth
- Where:
- United States
- Date change rule:
- Every January
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National Pre-Pregnancy Awareness Month is observed throughout January, dedicated to sharing the importance of optimizing health before conception. Use this month to assess your wellness baseline, identify areas for improvement, and take proactive steps to enhance your overall health and fertility. Consult healthcare providers and explore resources to prepare your body for a healthy pregnancy.
Want to sponsor National Pre-Pregnancy Awareness Month? Learn how
History of National Pre-Pregnancy Awareness Month
The concept of “pre-conception care” made an early appearance in a federal position paper in 1979 and later made its way into guidelines in 1983, suggesting the need to change the approach to pregnancy from reaction to prevention. To know more about the origins of the pre-pregnancy wellness movement, head to the timeline below!
From 1979 to the present, there have been several clinical guidelines established by leading medical organizations, but preconception care is still only accessed by <20% of the population.Â
The concept of “pre-pregnancy wellness” was created to modernize and streamline the approach to preconception care as well as to expand access to all couples hoping to conceive.
National Pre-Pregnancy Awareness Month timeline
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists (ACOG), in partnership with the March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation, published the first guidelines saying that “Preparation for parenthood should begin prior to conception. At the time of conception, the couple should be in optimal physical health and emotionally prepared for parenthood.”
The U.S. appointed a committee, The Expert Panel on the Content of Prenatal Care, and endorsed pre-conception health, recommending that the pre-conception visit may be the most important health care visit regarding its effect on pregnancy.
The Healthy People initiative by the CDC cataloged pre-conception care as a standard expectation within the healthcare system. It called for professional standards and structures to ensure annual pre-conception visits for every woman. The initiative stressed that reproductive awareness is not sex or gender specific. Reaching out to males requires thoughtful and innovative strategies, especially during the pre-conception and interconception periods.
Despite efforts made by the ACOG and the CDC, little action took place. Standards were not set or routinely available. Years after the first guidelines are published, less than 20% of females receive access to pre-conception care.
A new category is founded in health and wellness and establishing a new standard of care for fertility, starting with Pre-pregnancy Wellness Testing.
Poplin sponsors this month-long celebration dedicated to inspiring you and your reproductive partner to take control of your fertility health, prepare your body and improve your health before becoming pregnant. Want to be a sponsor:Â learn how.
National Pre-Pregnancy Awareness Month FAQs
When is National Pre-Pregnancy Awareness Month?
In 2027, National Pre-Pregnancy Awareness Month will again be observed throughout January, providing a dedicated period for individuals and couples to prioritize their reproductive health and well-being.
Why is pre-pregnancy awareness important?
Experts agree that the optimal time to improve health for a healthy pregnancy is before conception. This proactive approach helps identify and address potential health issues, ensuring a stronger foundation for both the parent and child.
How many women consider pre-pregnancy health?
Despite the clear benefits, many women may not fully consider their health until they are already pregnant. Public health campaigns like this month-long observance aim to increase engagement with preconception health practices.
What are key aspects of pre-pregnancy wellness?
Pre-pregnancy wellness extends beyond just physical health, encompassing mental and emotional well-being, genetic counseling, and understanding one’s reproductive health. It’s about creating the healthiest possible environment for a future pregnancy.
How to Celebrate National Pre-Pregnancy Awareness Month
Get tested and start your Pre-pregnancy Wellness journey
Get tested to assess your health and identify any areas for improvement before conception. Testing provides valuable insights into your nutritional status, hormonal balance, and overall well-being. With personalized guidance and support, you’ll be empowered to make informed choices that promote a healthy pregnancy.
Encourage your reproductive partner to get tested too
Pre-pregnancy wellness is relevant for both females and males. Approaching your fertility health as a reproductive couple is a more effective family planning strategy. Collectively, you can identify risks and potential issues in both partners/donors giving you an abundance of information before you get to the intervention stage.
Talk to your friends and family
It’s time to spread the word about the importance of pre-pregnancy wellness—both for getting pregnant and having a healthy pregnancy. Educating others can help to prepare them pregnancy.
5 Surprising Facts About Pre-Pregnancy
Toxins can contribute to fertility challenges
The State of Preconception Planning in America 2022 report showed that 30% of females surveyed had significant daily toxin exposures. This can include food and water, personal care products (e.g., shampoo, lotion) or home care products (e.g., detergent). A key part of pre-pregnancy preparation is reducing toxin exposures and increasing detoxification capacity.
Being either underweight or overweight can negatively impact fertility
Weight can play a role in fertility. Being underweight can indicate that you are undernourished and can be responsible for insufficient hormone levels to sustain a pregnancy. Being overweight can indicate metabolic dysfunction and elevated hormone levels, which can interfere with conception and pregnancy. In both cases, pre-pregnancy wellness testing can help provide deeper insight into what’s going on in your unique body and whether it will be important to modulate your weight before conceiving (e.g., due to elevated inflammation levels or blood sugar levels or hormone levels, etc.).
Sex and stress are incompatible
Did you know that 60% of females perceive stress as a leading factor affecting their ability to get pregnant? And nearly 70% of females reported being moderately to severely stressed (The State of Preconception Planning in America, 2022). This is important because your sex hormones and your stress hormones are in the same biochemical pathway. Chronic stress can cause your body to divert resources from making sex hormones to making stress hormones, which can impact your ability to conceive.
Your pre-conception journey starts at least 12 months in advance
Starting 12 months before you desire to become pregnant will give you time to correct any abnormalities that might be detected on your tests. This way, you’ll be in peak health when you start trying! Healthier parents = healthier babies.
Egg quality is more important than egg quantity
Egg quantity is essentially irrelevant when it comes to conceiving. Diminished ovarian reserve only affects ~5% of females under 35. Focusing on egg quality instead of egg quantity is a more effective strategy as egg quality is largely modifiable through diet, lifestyle and supplementation at any reproductive age.
Why We Love National Pre-Pregnancy Awareness Month
Knowledge is empowering
National Pre-pregnancy Awareness Month promotes awareness and education about reproductive health. It helps individuals to make informed decisions that positively impact their future pregnancies.
It strengthens relationships
This month encourages couples to engage in open discussions about health and wellness. Communication strengthens emotional bonds as you prepare for parenthood.
It promotes healthy habits
It serves as a reminder to prioritize healthy lifestyle choices. Better nutrition and exercise habits can help to facilitate a smoother future pregnancy.
