A Global Health Council 6-year study revealed the world’s 1.3 billion women of childbearing age have experienced a total of more than 1.2 billion pregnancies. Of these, over 300 million were unintended and nearly 700,000 women lost their lives as a result of these pregnancies. One third of these deaths were from a myriad of problems associated with these pregnancies. Each year in the United States, 12% of babies are born premature, 8% are born with low birth weight, and 3% have major birth defects. Of women giving birth, 31% suffer pregnancy complications, 11% smoke during pregnancy, 10% consume alcohol, 69% do not take folic acid supplements, 31% are obese, and about 3% take prescription or over-the-counter drugs. In addition, about 4% of women have preexisting medical conditions such as diabetes that can negatively affect pregnancy if left unmanaged. Risks associated with poor pregnancy outcomes remain prevalent among women of reproductive age in the United States. Therefore, the clinicians’ adhering to the new practice guidelines and promoting women’s wellness at every family planning visit increases the potential to impact the health and well-being of women.
