Pre-conception health 1
see p. 72
What you need to know •
The key factors affecting pre-conception health
•
How those factors affect the chances of conception for women.
Pre-conception health refers to the health of a woman and a man before they conceive a baby. Ideally, health preparations for pregnancy should take place at least three months before trying to conceive.
Five factors affecting women’s pre-conception health
Weight
• •
Being an unhealthy weight can affect ovulation. It can also lead to further health complications, e.g. diabetes, which may put the pregnant woman and her baby at higher risk.
• •
Can affect ovulation timing and egg quality. Can lead to changes in the cervix area and the lining of the uterus/womb.
R
Smoking
FT
•
A woman can get pregnant as soon as she has her first period. Fertility (the ability to conceive and produce babies) declines after the age of 35. The chances of giving birth to a baby with Down’s syndrome increase significantly with age (especially after 40). After the menopause (the time when a woman stops having periods), a woman cannot conceive naturally.
A
Age
• • •
• •
Can lead to heavier and more irregular periods. Can prevent egg implantation.
Drugs
• •
Can lead to ovulation problems. Long-term drug use can cause permanent damage to the reproductive organs.
D
Alcohol
Revise it!
Remember it!
•
Create flash cards – name a factor on one side (e.g. AGE) and write the genderspecific consequences on the back.
•
Choose a card at random and test yourself regularly.
There are five factors that contribute towards pre-conception health: Age Weight Smoking Alcohol and Drugs (mnemonic: Amy will surely achieve a distinction).
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Revision Guide
Original material © Cambridge University Press 2022. This material is not final and is subject to further changes prior to publication.
