Improvements in perinatal outcomes and intergenerational health can be achieved by optimising the maternal environment before conception, during pregnancy and in the first two years of a child’s life.

Preconception care addresses the biomedical, behavioural and social health of women and their partners prior to pregnancy, and has far-reaching benefits for mothers and children.

Despite being aware of the risks of diabetes in pregnancy, less than half of women with diabetes had sought preconception care, and many had poor knowledge of the most reliable contraceptive methods.