BY ALLISON KOZICHAROW AND BERNICE BORN
All parents-to-be want to have a healthy child. A healthy baby is the result of a process that begins long before a woman becomes pregnant.
WiRED’s "Introduction to Before Pregnancy" Module explains what women can do to make sure pregnancies are planned and healthy — although the course also covers unexpected pregnancy. WiRED’s training covers the development of a reproductive life plan, birth control and family planning, and how a woman’s health conditions, risk factors, diet and medicines can affect her unborn child. WiRED will soon release three more modules covering other issues under the general topic of Before Pregnancy.
The "Introduction to Before Pregnancy" Module is part of WiRED’s Mother and Child Series. The series provides a 24-part comprehensive training program to assist families, caregivers, community health workers and others with subjects related to the following four topics: Before Pregnancy, During Pregnancy, Labor and Delivery, and Becoming a Parent. The Mother and Child Health series will be used by schools, clinics and hospitals and other nongovernmental organizations that help families prepare for a healthy pregnancy, delivery and the years of childhood up to age five.
Preconception care can improve a woman’s chances of getting pregnant, having a healthy pregnancy and having a healthy baby. WiRED welcomes everyone to review the "Introduction to Before Pregnancy" Module.
Preconception Health Care
The following health issues and behaviors increase the likelihood of maternal and childhood illness and death: