It has long been known that for women being as healthy as possible gives them the best chance of a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby at birth.
In the past two decades, research has shown that men's and women's health, even before conception, has a big influence on the health of the child at birth and throughout its lifetime.
Factors including poor nutrition, being very overweight, smoking, exposure to some chemicals, and using drugs and alcohol at the time of conception can affect the child's long term health.
These factors can affect the genes in the woman's eggs and man's sperm as they grow and mature. This can then affect the developing baby, and can ultimately affect the child's health across its lifetime.
Fertility Week reminds men and women to get healthy now for their baby's future. Being as healthy as possible before conception, avoiding risks like smoking, alcohol, drugs and chemicals, not only improves their chance of pregnancy, but is important for the future health of their child.
Find out how men and women can get healthier before trying for a baby.
Your future baby will thank you.
Get healthy now for your baby's future.
Healthy sperm
Men - look after your sperm and give your future baby the best start to life. Download Andrology Australia's Pre-conception health for dads resource.
What can improve your chance of having a healthy baby?
- Healthy weight
- Avoid risks like smoking, alcohol, drugs and chemicals
- Healthy diet and nutrition
- Managing medical conditions before pregnancy.
Healthy You, Healthy Baby tool
Try the interactive Healthy You, Healthy Baby tool
Individuals and couples can consider everyday factors that can increase the chances of becoming pregnant, and having a healthy baby.
