Resource Guide for Clinicians

The Preconception Resource Guide is designed to help primary care providers meet their patient’s needs based on the response to this “vital sign” question: “Would you like to become pregnant in the next year?” (The One Key Question Initiative) Her answer will allow you and your colleagues to individualize her primary care to best meet her overall and reproductive health needs.

The goal of the guide is to help clinicians reach every woman who might someday become pregnant every time she presents for routine primary care with efficient, evidence-based strategies and resources to help her achieve:

• healthier short and long term personal health outcomes,
• increased likelihood that any pregnancies in her future are by choice rather than chance, and
• decreased likelihood of complications if she does become pregnant in the future.

An “At Your Fingertips” view of the Toolkit is available for women who desire pregnancy, those who are at risk/unsure of pregnancy, and for women who do not desire pregnancy. The toolkit is also available as a mobile app.

PCHHC released a Women’s Health Practice Bulletin in April 2020. This bulletin covers many health and wellness topics that are important for optimal health of women (whether they would like to become pregnant or not). 

The guide is meant to be used as a reference or as an educational tool.  Once you and your associates become familiar with the recommendations there will be little need to revisit on a daily or weekly basis.  As recommendations change, however, the toolkit will be updated so plan to revisit periodically. This toolkit is appropriate for use with women who recently had a baby as part of providing comprehensive interconception care.

To learn more about how the guide is organized and what it has to offer, please read “About this Guide”. If you have suggestions for additional resources or comments, please email Sarah Verbiest at sarahv@med.unc.edu.