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The Florida Department of Health works to protect, promote, and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county, and community efforts.
Preconception Health
Contact the Maternal and Child Health Section
- 850-245-4465
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Fax
850-245-4047 -
Mailing Address
4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin A13
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1721
What is Preconception Health?
Preconception health refers to the health of women and men during their reproductive years. One of the best things a woman can do for herself is to take good care of her well-being, which includes her physical, mental, and reproductive health. This means choosing to eat healthy, exercise, minimize exposure to toxic stress, and to plan if, and when, she wants to become pregnant.
In 2019, the percent of unintended pregnancies in Florida was 42.1% [Source: PRAMS]. Because an unplanned pregnancy can lead to severe health risks to mom and baby, such as preterm birth and low birth weight, it is very important for a woman to have a reproductive life plan to set family planning goals about having, or not having children, and a means to achieving those goals.
A reproductive plan helps a woman avoid having an unplanned pregnancy at a time when she is not at her optimal health, or when she is not financially, emotionally, and socially ready to become a mother or have another child. A health care provider can discuss the family planning goals of the reproductive life plan, and available options to achieve those goals, such as types of contraceptives or how to have a healthy pregnancy.
Get started by using this checklist to help you set your goals.
For more information on preconception health, please visit:
Resources for Community Partners
- Baby Steps Posters
- Every Woman Southeast Initiative
- Show Your Love Campaign
- CDC Resource Center
- Preconception Care Clinical Toolkit
Show Your Love is a national campaign designed to improve the health of women and babies by promoting preconception health and healthcare. The campaign’s main goal is to increase the number of women who plan their pregnancies and engage in healthy behaviors before becoming pregnant.
The Preconception Health and Health Care Resource Center (the Resource Center) is a comprehensive web directory of hyperlinks to tools and resources designed to advance the health of men and women of reproductive age.
The National Preconception Care Clinical Toolkit is designed to help primary care providers, their colleagues and their practices incorporate preconception health into the routine care of women of childbearing age.
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