New campaign and resources highlight the importance of health ‘Before the Baby Bump’

Young couple sit holding hands beside a doctor all smiling to camera

Good health before pregnancy sets a healthier foundation for prospective parents and their future child.

Health and Wellbeing Queensland has launched Before the Baby Bump, a Queensland Government initiative helping Queenslanders in Mackay and West Moreton understand the importance of health prior to conception, and support opportunities to engage in positive health behaviours.

Research shows that many people know healthy habits matter during pregnancy, many are unaware of how important these habits are before conception, or that they are important for both men and women.

Before the Baby Bump was co-designed with Mackay and West Moreton residents, and features a new website, resources, campaign and preventive health pathways. The campaign will pilot from January to May 2026, aiming to raise awareness of the importance of improving health and wellbeing before trying for a baby, and make healthy choices feel achievable.

As part of the trial, we are thrilled to be working with My health for life (MH4L). Completion of the MH4L health check, promoted as a preconception health check, will provide consumers with the option to engage with a trained health coach for six behaviour change coaching sessions.

The Before the Baby Bump website features practical information on how to improve key areas of preconception health, including:

eating a healthier diet

moving more and sitting less

quitting smoking and vaping

avoiding alcohol and recreational drugs

taking folic acid and iodine supplements

engaging with a GP for a check-up

staying up to date with vaccinations

limiting caffeine

getting a sexual health check.

The website is designed for people thinking about having a baby. For health professionals, the website provides education, resources and guidance to support positive conversations about preconception health.

Find out more by visiting the Before the Baby Bump website.

Before the Baby Bump is an initiative of the Queensland Government, delivered by Health and Wellbeing Queensland, in partnership with Prevention Strategy Branch, and funded through Queensland Health’s Supporting Healthier Pregnancies Initiative.