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Preconception care

A Canadian clinical summary of preconception care, with source-attributed priorities and explicit jurisdiction boundaries.

JurisdictionCanada
Source check2026-08-20
Clinical reviewiatroX editorial team · Clinical editorial review · reviewed 2026-08-20 · due 2027-08-20
AudienceHealthcare professionals practising in Canada
This is an iatroX educational summary of named Canada sources, not an official guideline. It does not replace the complete source documents, local policy, specialist advice or clinical judgement. The evidence source is pan-Canadian, but formularies, funded access, referral routes, public-health directions and service availability remain provincial or territorial.

Source and scope

This summary is bounded to the recommendations, population and decisions covered by Family-Centred Maternity and Newborn Care: Chapter 2 — Preconception Care. Apply it with the current provincial or territorial pathway where implementation differs.
sources for this section:PHAC preconception care

Source-attributed clinical priorities

  • Review pregnancy intentions, medicines, chronic disease, immunization, genetic and infection risk, substance use and social safety.
  • Optimize folate, nutrition and disease control and replace teratogenic medicines before conception when a safe alternative exists.
  • Refer high-risk cardiac, renal, endocrine, neurologic, genetic or prior obstetric conditions before pregnancy.
  • Ask about pregnancy intention routinely so medicine and disease optimization can occur before conception.
sources for this section:PHAC preconception care

Practical assessment and management workflow

1
Review chronic conditions, obstetric history, medicines, supplements, vaccines, infections, genetics and substance use.
2
Measure relevant disease control and replace teratogenic medicine with a safe effective alternative.
3
Recommend folic acid and nutrition appropriate to Canadian risk and address dental and mental health.
4
Connect high-risk conditions to maternal-fetal medicine, genetics or specialty care before pregnancy.
sources for this section:PHAC preconception care

Safety, red flags and urgent escalation

  • Do not stop essential medicine abruptly without a replacement and relapse plan.
  • Live vaccines require appropriate timing before conception.
  • Active violence, severe substance instability or uncontrolled disease requires coordinated safety and medical support.
sources for this section:PHAC preconception care

Confirm the local pathway before acting

The evidence source is pan-Canadian, but formularies, funded access, referral routes, public-health directions and service availability remain provincial or territorial.
sources for this section:PHAC preconception care

Source and implementation boundary

Read this educational summary with the linked source, current Canadian product information where medicines are involved, and the applicable provincial or territorial pathway. Local formularies, reporting duties, referral routes and service availability can differ.
sources for this section:PHAC preconception care

Source documents

Use the linked source documents for complete recommendations, evidence grading, exclusions and implementation detail.

  1. Public Health Agency of CanadaFamily-Centred Maternity and Newborn Care: Chapter 2 — Preconception Careaccessed 2026-08-20
    view source
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