Prepregnant

Prepregnant describes the state or period before conception. In medical and public health contexts, the term is used to denote planning or preparation undertaken to improve pregnancy outcomes. Prepregnant, or preconception, care focuses on optimizing the health of individuals who may become pregnant, addressing medical conditions, nutrition, lifestyle, and environmental exposures that can affect fetal development and maternal risk.

Key components include a preconception visit to assess medical history, current medications, and chronic conditions; vaccination status; and screening for infections such as HIV, hepatitis B, syphilis, and rubella immunity. Folic acid supplementation is commonly recommended before conception to reduce neural tube defects, typically 400–800 micrograms daily. Providers may adjust medications and manage conditions such as diabetes, epilepsy, or thyroid disease to minimize risks.

Lifestyle and environmental factors also matter: achieving a healthy weight, stopping tobacco use, limiting alcohol and non-prescribed substances, avoiding high-risk exposures, and moderating caffeine intake. Men’s health is considered too, as paternal factors can influence fertility and offspring health. A plan for timing of pregnancy, daily prenatal vitamins, and regular physical activity can be part of prepregnant care.

Many pregnancies are unplanned; nevertheless, early prenatal care and ongoing health optimization during pregnancy remain essential. Preparedness through prepregnant care aims to reduce complications such as preterm birth, low birth weight, and birth defects, and to support maternal well-being.