{"id":26181,"date":"2024-05-29T14:45:54","date_gmt":"2024-05-29T14:45:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/progyny.com\/?p=26181"},"modified":"2025-07-16T19:57:45","modified_gmt":"2025-07-16T19:57:45","slug":"is-preconception-health-the-answer-to-reducing-high-risk-pregnancies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/progyny.com\/blog\/is-preconception-health-the-answer-to-reducing-high-risk-pregnancies\/","title":{"rendered":"Is preconception health the answer to reducing high-risk pregnancies?\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The journey to healthy parents and babies begins long before conception \u2014 before someone is even trying to conceive<\/a> (TTC). With a few simple steps, people of childbearing age can improve their own health and increase their chances of conception, as well as reduce the chances of maternal and infant morbidity and mortality. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Women\u2019s health before, during, and after pregnancy is a key objective of the Healthy People 2030 initiative<\/a> of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It might shock you to find out that women living in the United States are twice as likely to die during childbirth than women living in other developed countries. In addition, significant disparities exist in successful pregnancy outcomes among racial and ethnic groups. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Turning this dire situation around means beginning conversations about preconception health long before a patient is ready to start a family. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is preconception care?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As defined by the American Academy of Family Physicians,<\/a> preconception care is individualized and focuses on good health and reducing risks for both the patient and the fetus. Preconception care also encompasses \u201cinterconception care,\u201d or care between pregnancies, a time that carries the same risk factors as pre-pregnancy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why is preconception care such a critical issue in maternal health?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The American healthcare system has a fragmented delivery system, with patients seeing multiple providers who don\u2019t provide a holistic approach. Physicians aren\u2019t adequately reimbursed for the type of counseling services preconception care falls under, and those most in need of preconception care are the least likely to receive it, despite rising rates of obesity and associated conditions, including hypertension and diabetes. (These conditions occur at higher rates among people of color, who are also more likely to be uninsured.) Additionally, almost half of the pregnancies in the U.S. are unplanned,<\/a> which means the parents-to-be haven\u2019t been focusing on preparing their bodies for a successful pregnancy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Preconception health tips<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Even if you\u2019re not TTC, men and women alike benefit from preconception health strategies. They\u2019re good health strategies, period. Patients should be counseled on: <\/p>\n\n\n\n