Preconception Health - Information for Healthcare Providers

As a healthcare professional, every contact that you have with an individual of reproductive age lends a unique opportunity to assess and discuss preconception health information.¹

It is important to consider that preconception care is beneficial to all individuals of reproductive age, regardless of whether or not they plan to become parents.² General preconception health care includes an assessment and discussion of topics such as healthy eating, physical activity, immunization status, reproductive life planning, substance use, chronic medical conditions, and exposure to environmental toxins.³

Evidence suggests that preconception care can improve maternal and child health outcomes. More specifically, preconception health can:

prevent preterm births;
improve birth weight;
prevent congenital anomalies, including neural tube defects;
reduce infant mortality;
reduce maternal mortality.⁴

Patient Handouts

PrePregnancy Planner
The PrePregnancy Planner is an online tool that can help your patient plan for pregnancy.
Preconception: Baby Steps to a Healthy Pregnancy Pamphlet (PDF)
Patient information booklet for your patients.
Best Start Preconception Health Resources
Available in English, French and fillable PDFs.
My Reproductive Life Plan - Booklet (PDF)
For adults who want to have children someday, but not right now.
My Life My Plan - Booklet (PDF)
For teens and will guide them through six topic areas, providing them with facts and referrals, and the opportunity to respond to a series of questions that will help them to make healthy decisions, set goals and plan for their future.
Is there a baby in your future? Plan for it - Health Before Pregnancy - Workbook (PDF)
For young adults and couples. It raises issues that can affect men and women and the health of their future children and provides answers to commonly asked questions people think about as they consider parenting.
Folic Acid Before and During Pregnancy (PDF)
Planning to have a baby? Tips for healthy eating and more (Eat Right Ontario)

Key Documents and Best Practice Guidelines and References

Society for Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada’s
The Society for Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada’s delivers evidence-based information developed by physicians, nurses and midwives about pregnancy and childbirth.
Public Health Agency of Canada: Family-Centred Maternity and Newborn Care: National Guidelines (PDF)
OMama
A website and a mobile application (app) that connects women and families to trusted, evidence-informed healthy pregnancy, birth and early parenting information for Ontario, Canada.
Best Start: Prenatal Health Messages for all Ontarians
Ontario Public Health Association

Point of Care Tool

Preconception Health Care Tool
A resource for primary care providers designed to help guide discussions about health and illness prevention strategies with all patients of reproductive age.

Programs and Services

Birth Control Clinics
Birth Control Clinics are offered in London and Strathroy. Birth control options, pregnancy testing and counseling, and emergency contraception are available.

Family Health Clinic
Nurse practitioner services are available within London and Middlesex County for families with young children (6 years old and under) without a family doctor. This service is also available for high school students. No health card is required.

Health Connection
The Health Unit offers a variety of programs and services to support young families. Healthcare providers and patients can call the Health Connection at 519-663-5317 ext. 2280 to speak with a Public Health Nurse and receive telephone support during regular business hours (Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.).

Date of creation: November 21, 2016
Last modified on: June 2, 2017

References

¹Ontario Public Health Association. (2014). Shift- Enhancing the health of Ontarians: A call to action for preconception health promotion and care. Toronto, ON.

²World Health Organization. Meeting to develop a global census on preconception care to reduce maternal and childhood mortality and morbidity. Geneva (CH); 2013. 77p. Report No.:ISBN 978 92 4 150500 0.

³Moos MK, Dunlop AL, Jack BW, Nelson L, Coonrod DV, Long R, et al.

⁴World Health Organization. Preconception care: maximizing the gains for maternal and child health [pamphlet]. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2013.

⁵Healthier women, healthier reproductive outcomes: recommendations for the routine care of all women of reproductive age. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2008; 199(6 Suppl 2):S280-S289.