By Oge Akinola
Motherhood does not begin with a positive pregnancy test. It begins with preparation.
In a country where too many mothers are dying from causes, we can prevent, it’s time to look deeper in order to start earlier. Preconception care, though still a foreign concept in many parts of Nigeria, might be one of the most powerful tools we have to save lives.
I’ve seen the gaps in our health system. I’ve heard the prayers of women who just want to carry safely and deliver in peace. I’ve sat with families mourning babies who never took their first breath and mothers who didn’t make it back from the labour ward. And time and again, what becomes clear is this: many of these stories could have ended differently if we had started caring before the pregnancy began.
What is Preconception Care, and Why Should We Care in Nigeria?
Preconception care refers to the support – medical, emotional, nutritional, and spiritual- that a woman receives before she gets pregnant. It is designed to prepare her body and mind for pregnancy, detect risks early, and provide her with the tools to thrive.
In Nigeria, where one in every ten global maternal deaths occurs, and where high blood pressure, anaemia, poor nutrition, undetected diabetes, and spiritual trauma go unchecked until the baby bump shows, this kind of early care is not just helpful; it is urgent.
And for us as a people of faith, preconception care aligns with the biblical principle of preparation. “The wise woman builds her house…” (Proverbs 14:1).
The building begins before the foundation is laid. Our young women must be supported to build their health, their faith, and their self-awareness before they carry life inside them.
Proverbs 21:5 also states, “The plans of the diligent lead to profit, as surely as haste leads to poverty.” This verse emphasises the important of careful planning and diligence in achieving success, contrasting it with the negative consequences of acting hastily.
The Numbers Tell the Story — But So Does the Spirit
Research shows that up to 80% of maternal complications are preventable. Studies from countries like Sri Lanka, where preconception education is part of routine healthcare, have seen maternal deaths drop dramatically over decades.
In the U.S., women who had basic preconception support had 21% lower risk of life-threatening pregnancy complications. Imagine what this could mean in Nigeria, where most women do not see a doctor until the second trimester and where many are left to ‘hope and pray’ instead of being empowered with care and knowledge.
But let’s not just quote numbers. Let’s talk about the single mother in Owerri who didn’t know she had fibroids until she lost her third baby.
The first-time bride in Abuja whose pre-wedding blood tests ignored her undiagnosed hypertension. The faithful woman who kept fasting to “break generational curses” while battling untreated PCOS.
We do not have to choose between faith and medical wisdom. We can stand on scripture and step into clinics. We can anoint our wombs and be informed about our health. God has given us wisdom, and it is not unspiritual to use it.
Making Preconception Wellness a Normal Part of Nigerian Life
It’s time for Nigeria to normalize preconception care. Imagine a country where:
● Every health centre includes pre-pregnancy counselling as part of basic women’s services.
● Pastors, women’s fellowship leaders, and faith-based NGOs talk about health before pregnancy, not just prayer points during labour.
● Pharmacists and community health workers are trained to refer women for preconception wellness checks.
● Workplaces support their staff with wellness programs for reproductive-aged women, reducing stress, sick leave, and pregnancy-related risks.
● Churches host monthly wellness circles where young women are taught about nutrition, mental health, and faith-aligned preparation for motherhood.
● Preconception Wellness Checks should be made an important prerequisite before couples get married.
● Preconception Test Kits should be made available at no cost to women of reproductive age to help improve their preconception health and wellness.
This is not theory — it is possibility, and it is biblical.
Reaching the Vulnerable First
Nigeria’s maternal health crisis hits the poor the hardest. Women in rural areas, IDP camps, and inner cities often walk alone through pregnancies filled with fear and avoidable tragedy. Preconception care can serve these women first, through mobile clinics, radio education, WhatsApp wellness hubs, and faith-community partnerships.
Just like we have premarital counselling, we can build pre-maternal clinics in every local government, staffed by midwives, nutritionists, and prayer support.
Is Prevention Better Than Cure? In Nigeria, the Answer is Yes.
We don’t need more headlines about dying mothers. We need transformation. And it starts by recognising that the battle for a safe pregnancy is won in the preparation.
Let’s shift the conversation. Let’s empower our women. Let’s remind every daughter of Zion that she is worth preparing for.
Because “wisdom is the principal thing” — and wisdom says prepare her, protect her, and empower her before the womb carries life.
