The primary goal of this recommendation is to improve the quality of care and outcomes for pregnant women and women intending to become pregnant, particularly those related to prevention of pre-eclampsia, eclampsia and resulting complications. This recommendation may be of interest to professional societies involved in the care of pregnant women, nongovernmental organizations concerned with promoting people-centred pre-conception and maternal care, and implementers of maternal and child health and nutrition programmes. It aims to help in increasing capacity in the countries to respond to their needs on interventions before and/or early in pregnancy to prevent the risk of pre-eclampsia during pregnancy, and to prioritize essential actions in national health policies, strategies and plans.