Pregnancy charity Tommy’s has today launched a Planning for Pregnancy online tool to help mothers-to-be ensure they are as healthy as possible to carry a baby.
While two thirds of women spend three or more months planning for a holiday, only one in five do the same amount of preparation when planning a pregnancy, according to the charity’s research.
The survey found women are often not visiting medics to discuss their pregnancy plans, and are not taking key steps to reduce risks for themselves and their babies.
And poor lifestyle choices like eating junk food, not exercising, and smoking and drinking mean women’s bodies are not well prepared for motherhood.
Stopping smoking, cutting down on alcohol and caffeine, taking folic acid and being physically active are all important for a healthy pregnancy, Tommy’s says.
The new tool asks questions about a woman’s health and lifestyle and offers tailored advice for making sure their fertility and pregnancy health are as good as possible.
One expert says: ‘Good pre-conception health plays a crucial role in the health of women and their babies and on into childhood.’
Pregnancy health charity Tommy’s says women should plan their pregnancies further in advance so they can make sure they are as fertile and healthy as possible
In a survey of more than 750 women, Tommy’s – which funds research into miscarriage and other pregnancy issues – found 67 per cent of women plan for three or more months for a holiday.
However, only 20 per cent spend the same amount of time preparing to become pregnant.
And 40 per cent stop using contraception the same week they make the decision to have a baby.
The charity says women should allow more time to make changes to their own health which could affect their fertility or the health of the baby.
Folic acid should be taken before conception
For example, folic acid should be taken from two months before conception to build up the vitamin in the body and reduce the risk of brain and spinal defects in the baby.
Tommy’s Planning for Pregnancy online questionnaire provides tailored information on what they can do before pregnancy to have a healthy pregnancy and baby.
It asks women to answer 22 questions about themselves, including about their smoking and drinking habits, their mental and physical health, whether they have been tested for sexually transmitted infections, and about their family history.
The tool then gives tailored advice on which areas of their health women should work to improve, for example stopping smoking or cutting down on caffeine.
‘It is harder to inform women of risks before they conceive’
Tommy’s chief executive Jane Brewin said: ‘We know that lack of folic acid, smoking, inadequate nutrition, lack of physical activity and having a high BMI are all things that contribute to negative pregnancy outcomes, and it’s almost too late to tackle these after conception.
‘Once women and their partners are pregnant they get a wide range of information from all sorts of sources.
‘But in the pre-conception period, when they are not talking to health professionals about their intentions, it’s much harder to make sure they are informed about things they can do to reduce their risks.
‘This is not about guilt or blame, it simply provides the information and support to allow women to make informed decisions.’
Women in the survey also got pregnant quicker than they expected to, highlighting a need to start preparations early.
Fewer than five per cent of women expected to become pregnant within a month, but 25.3 per cent of them did.
‘Good pre-conception health plays a crucial role’
Tommy’s gives detailed advice on how couples can maximise the health of mother and baby, which includes making sure the mother is a healthy weight, does not smoke and is mentally healthy.
Professor Viv Bennett, director of maternity and early years at Public Health England said: ‘Good pre-conception health – how women are in the weeks, months and years leading up to pregnancy – plays a crucial role in the health of women and their babies and on into childhood.
‘We need to provide clear information and support women who want to have a family in the future to start making positive changes to improve their health now – in advance of becoming pregnant, to help give every child the best start in life.’
The online tool was created alongside the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, Public Health England and the UCL Institute for Women’s Health.
‘A healthy diet and weight will improve health of future generations’
Professor Lesley Regan, president of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists added: ‘Nutrition and lifestyle in the preconception period is crucial to having a good pregnancy and birth.
‘In the UK, the high prevalence of obesity means that one in four pregnant women are overweight or obese.
‘Diet, weight and the body’s metabolism prior to conception impacts on the chances of conceiving naturally, having a good pregnancy and delivery, as well as affecting the health of children in their later life.
‘Focussing on the importance of maintaining a healthy diet and weight prior to conception will not only improve the health of individuals, but also the health and quality of life of future generations.’