Final answer:
Improving pregnancy outcomes can be achieved through healthy lifestyle choices, avoiding toxins, taking folic acid, and getting regular prenatal care. Monitoring ovulation is also significant for planning or preventing pregnancy.
Step-by-step explanation:
Preconception behaviors that would improve pregnancy outcomes include engaging in healthy lifestyle choices and seeking regular prenatal care. It is crucial for a woman to avoid toxins such as alcohol, illegal drugs, and certain medications, particularly during the first eight weeks post-fertilization when major organ development occurs.
Proper intake of nutrients is essential, with an emphasis on taking folic acid to help prevent birth defects. Additionally, women who are planning to become pregnant should discuss pregnancy planning with their doctor, aiming to optimize their diet and exercise routines for the best fetal development outcomes.
In some cultures, as seen in Japan, there is additional focus on creating an ideal bodily environment for the fetus, which may include closely monitoring body weight and stress levels, as well as avoiding work during pregnancy. Understanding and monitoring one's menstrual cycle and ovulation timing can also support pregnancy planning, whether a woman is trying to conceive or aiming to prevent pregnancy without using contraceptives.