Health care before pregnancy is important for both the mother and the unborn child. Pre-pregnancy health can be achieved with early intervention, a healthy lifestyle and health risk monitoring.
Women’s pre-pregnancy health under MOH
- Women’s health screening
The purpose of screening is to ensure optimum health for pregnancy and to detect women’s health risks.
Screening includes:
- Blood pressure check
- Blood sugar level
- Body weight
- Body Mass Index (BMI)
- Mental health
- Pre-pregnancy counseling
Counseling on nutrition, folic acid intake, healthy lifestyle (avoiding smoking, alcohol, drugs) and stress management.
- Detection of chronic diseases and early treatment
Diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, anaemia and asthma must be treated before pregnancy to prevent complications.
- Folic acid supplementation
Taking folic acid at least 3 months before pregnancy can prevent neural tube defects in babies such as spina bifida.
- Reproductive health education
Explanation of the male and female reproductive systems as well as the menstrual cycle.
Updated date: 16/3/2026