The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has chosen preconception health as the April 2009 National Minority Health Month focus. Preconception health is defined as a woman’s health before she becomes pregnant according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This includes living a healthy lifestyle while maintaining a healthy weight, as well as avoiding risk factors such as taking illicit drugs, drinking alcohol and smoking.

The CDC says that despite important advances in medicine and prenatal care, the number of premature births and low birthweights in the United States are greater than in other developed countries. Improving a woman’s preconception health may improve her chances of delivering a healthy baby. To reduce the risk of birth defects, the CDC recommends taking 400 mcg of folic acid a day for at least three months before becoming pregnant. They also suggest that a woman stop smoking and drinking alcohol, make sure medical conditions such as asthmas, diabetes or obesity are under control, and avoid toxic substances such as chemicals, or cat and rodent feces.

To further reduce the risk of birth defects, the March of Dimes suggests that a woman should go for a preconception checkup. This checkup can help assure a woman that she is as healthy as possible for pregnancy. During the checkup, the physician can identify and often treat health conditions such as high blood pressure or certain infections that may pose a risk during pregnancy. The physician can also verify that medications she takes during pregnancy are safe for the fetus and that her vaccinations are up to date. The physician can also ask questions about her family health history, as well as her partner’s health history to see if there is a high risk for a genetic disorder. If necessary, the physician may suggest seeing a genetic counselor.

All women should consider their health a priority, no matter their age. However, if a woman is planning to become pregnant, taking steps to be healthier now may increase the chance of giving birth to a healthy baby in the future. To learn more about pregnancy, log onto georgiahealthinfo.gov and click on the Healthy Living tab.