A public consultation was conducted to develop language recommendations and identify and prioritise approaches to inform research and improve public awareness of preconception health.

Online group discussions were held with over 50 people of any gender aged 18–50 years living in the UK who were not currently expecting a child.

Very few members of the public had heard the term ‘preconception health’, understood what it means, or why and for whom it is important.

They recommended avoiding unfamiliar terms without further explanation (e.g., preconception health, medical terms), using language that is positive, encouraging and gender-sensitive where possible, and using messages that are specific, non-judgemental and realistic.

The following alternative phrases resonated with most public contributors:

• Health and well-being before pregnancy and parenthood
  
• Planning for parenthood
• Health and well-being during the childbearing years

School-based education, social media campaigns and the National Health Service (NHS) emerged as priority approaches/settings for raising awareness.