Does preconception health apply to women who do not plan to get pregnant?
Absolutely. Preconception health applies to all women, whether or not they want to get pregnant. Many of the recommendations for preconception health, such as achieving a healthy weight and quitting smoking, are ways to improve the health of any woman, even if she does not plan to get pregnant. In addition, nearly half of pregnancies are unplanned and 85% of all women in the United States will have a baby at some point in their lives. Although you may not be thinking about having a baby now, you may become pregnant in the future. By taking important steps to improve your health today, you can also improve the health of any future pregnancies you may have. Women’s lives are rich and complex, and the possibility of pregnancy is only one factor affecting women’s health choices. The more that women know about the health care relevant to their own circumstances, the more empowered they are to make the right choices for their lives. Learn more.
