When a woman discovers she is pregnant, she will generally take steps to improve her diet and consider ways to optimize her health. These measures include restricting or eliminating alcohol and caffeine consumption, increasing folic acid intake, as well as obtaining sufficient sleep, physical activity, and nutrition.
While there is much health information available to newly pregnant women, how informed are women who are not yet pregnant, but trying to conceive?
A recent study in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) (1) interviewed over twelve thousand non-pregnant women to ascertain their lifestyles, including diet and exercise, over a three month period. The study unveiled that few women follow health advice prior to becoming pregnant.
“Some 238 women became pregnant within three months of interview [ ] were only marginally more likely to comply with the alcohol and folic acid recommendations than those who did not become pregnant. Among those who became pregnant, only seven (2.9 per cent) were taking the recommended daily dose of 400µg folic acid and drinking no more than four units of alcohol per week, compared with 0.66 per cent of those who did not become pregnant.”
Of these 238 women noted above, 77% had a planned pregnancies, and thus were in a position to incorporate early lifestyle changes. Currently, public health experts are recognizing the need to provide greater guidance to women who are considering pregnancy. While women are the primary population to be focused upon, men too would benefit from greater health direction.
One’s current state of health is a reflection of past lifestyle choices. Consequently, it makes sense, that women who are considering pregnancy or are actively trying to conceive would benefit from paying special attention to nurturing and strengthening their well-being with the aim of providing optimal in-utero conditions for their future child. This is of particular importance for women in their mid-30’s or older who are preparing for pregnancy.
- Hazel M Inskip et al. Women’s compliance with nutrition and lifestyle recommendations before pregnancy: general population cohort study. 12 Feb 2009. doi:10.1136/bmj.b481.