There are also bigger life factors called wider determinants of health, that shape people’s wellbeing. These include where someone lives, how much money they have, feeling safe, and having support from family and friends.
These life factors matter before pregnancy too. They can affect how ready someone feels to have a baby and can influence the future baby's health.
When talking about preconception health, it is important to understand these wider life circumstances.
Simply asking someone to change their behaviour without considering what is happening in their life can increase stress, guilt, or frustration especially if they do not have the time, confidence, or resources to make those changes.
Professionals should always be aware that people may face barriers outside their control. Be empathetic, gentle, and non‑judgmental when offering suggestions or discussing possible changes.
Social networks, social support from friends, family, or neighbours
Having support from family, friends, neighbours, or the wider community can make a big difference to someone's mental health and wellbeing when they are planning for a baby.
Preparing for pregnancy can bring many emotions, and without support, people may feel stressed or overwhelmed.
Not everyone has family or friends they can talk to. This can make people feel lonely or unsure about where to get help. Feeling isolated can also make it harder to stay healthy, especially when thinking about starting a family.
Professionals can help by:
- listening without judgement
- offering information about local groups, community services, or support networks
- helping people find parenting groups, peer support, health visitors, or community hubs
- encouraging them to build new, safe support networks if they do not have family or close friends nearby
Helping someone connect with supportive people or community resources can reduce stress and support a healthier, happier start to pregnancy and parenthood.
Housing and living conditions
Where someone lives has a big impact on their health and wellbeing.
Housing problems such as damp, mould, overcrowding, or unsafe environments can make it harder to stay healthy. This is important to think about when planning for a healthy pregnancy.
If someone is experiencing issues with their housing, they should be encouraged to seek help.
They can:
- speak to their landlord
- contact their local housing office
- get advice from local council housing services
- contact Citizens Advice for support
Additional guidance may be available through district and borough council housing services or Citizens Advice.
Supporting people to access these services can help improve their living situation and support better health before pregnancy.
Access to healthcare, transport, and local services
Having good access to healthcare is important for staying well before pregnancy. When people cannot easily get to health services, health conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure may go untreated. This can increase risks during pregnancy.
Getting help early can prevent problems. Encourage people to contact their GP or local health services for advice, screening, and support. Early support can help find health issues and lower the chance of complications.
Some people may feel unsure about using healthcare because of past experiences, including discrimination or feeling dismissed. This can reduce trust and may lead to delays in seeking help. Missed appointments and missed screenings can then make health worse over time.
Other barriers, such as language differences, cultural misunderstandings, or bias can also make it harder for people to get the right care. These barriers may stop someone from getting important information about preconception health.
Reliable transport plays a key role in enabling individuals to attend healthcare appointments, access screening, and engage with support services before pregnancy.
Limited transport options can lead to missed appointments.
Common barriers to accessing care and services
People may struggle to get the care they need because of:
- living in rural or remote areas with limited public transport
- travel costs, making it hard to afford the bus, train, or taxi fares
- physical or mobility challenges, which make travel difficult
- lack of childcare, which can stop parents or carers from attending appointments
- work or time pressures, meaning they cannot attend during usual service hours
These barriers can make it harder for people to look after their health before pregnancy.
Cost of good quality food
Eating healthy food is important for good health before pregnancy.
But the rising cost of good quality food can make this hard for many people and families. A balanced diet with fruit, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein helps the body stay well and can lower pregnancy risks.
When healthy food is too expensive, people may not get the vitamins and minerals they need. This can affect overall health and may also impact reproductive health.
Some people can get extra help. If someone is more than 10 weeks pregnant or has a child under 4, they may be able to get support to buy healthy food and milk through the Healthy Start scheme.
Feeding Derbyshire is a network of affordable food projects. They aim to make good, affordable food easier to access and help reduce hunger across the county. Their work supports vulnerable people and communities by offering inclusive, low‑cost food options.
The Feeding Derbyshire Interactive Map lets people easily locate your nearest or most appropriate food support location.
Preconception and financial stability and employment
Money and work can have a big impact on health before pregnancy.
Having enough money helps people afford nutritious food, healthcare, transport, and safe housing which can all support a healthy pregnancy.
Secure employment can provide a steady income, and for some people, access to benefits.
Poor or unsafe working conditions, including exposure to hazards, heavy lifting, or long hours, can increase risks such as infertility, miscarriage, or health problems during pregnancy.
If someone is worried about job security, working conditions, or safety at work, they should speak to:
- their employer
- their HR department
- local employment support services
- Citizens Advice
These services can give guidance on workers' rights, safe working conditions, and support options.
People can also find information about employment rights while pregnant, which can help them feel more secure at work. .
If someone is worried about debt or financial pressure, support is available. Our affordable credit team can offer support with safer lending options, and people can get advice on benefits or financial support from the welfare benefits team.
Accessing the right advice early can help reduce stress and support better health before pregnancy. Contact our welfare benefits team.
Feeling safe at home and in their community
Feeling safe where you live is an important part of good health.
Worries about safety at home or in the community can cause stress, anxiety, and poor sleep. Over time, this can affect both physical and mental wellbeing, which is especially important when planning for a healthy pregnancy.
People may feel unsafe for many reasons. This could include problems in their home, issues with neighbours, crime in the local area, or feeling isolated with little support.
If someone shares that they do not feel safe, it is important to listen with empathy and without judgement. Support should be calm, kind, and focused on what the person needs.
People can be encouraged to seek help from:
- local council community safety teams
- Citizens Advice, who can offer guidance and signposting
- trusted community groups or support networks
- GP services, especially if stress or anxiety is affecting their health
- local police if they feel at immediate risk or need urgent safety advice
If the concern relates to domestic abuse, gently encourage the person to reach domestic abuse support services for specialist help.
Helping someone feel safer or supporting them to find the right help can improve their health now and support a healthier pregnancy in the future.
Preconception and education
Education influences health literacy, employment opportunities, and decision-making, all of which affect preconception health.
Education can have a big impact on someone's health before pregnancy. It can shape their confidence, job opportunities, and how easily they can understand health information. All these things affect preconception health.
When people have limited health literacy, it can be harder for them to find reliable information, understand medical advice, or know how to use local services. This may make planning for a healthy pregnancy more difficult.
Encouraging people to look for trusted and easy to understand health information can help them make better decisions.
Some people may also benefit from local adult learning opportunities, which can build skills, confidence, and independence.
Encourage individuals to seek trusted sources of information and local adult learning opportunities to improve skills and confidence.
Signposting to services such as Derbyshire Adult Community Education and Citizens Advice can support informed decision-making.