Why invest in preconception care?

Preconception care has positive effect on range of health outcomes like:

• Prevent complication during pregnancy and delivery.
• Reduce maternal and child mortality.
• Prevent stillbirth, preterm birth, low birth weight.
• Prevent birth defects.
• Prevent neonatal infections and vertical transmission of HIV/ STIs.
• Lower the risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular risk in later in life.

Checklist of preconception care

Education:

• Cessation of smoking, alcohol use and other drug use.
• Folic acid supplement, daily a standard dose.

Counseling:

• Healthy body weight and diet
• Sexually transmitted infections including HIV
• Family planning and pregnancy spacing
• Importance of or oral health
• Genetic disorders (cystic fibrosis, sickle cell genotype, thalassaemia)
• Environmental and occupational exposure
• Increase risk of hepatitis C in those with tattoo or body piercings.

Assessment:

• Physical assessment (physical examination, medical & family history)
• Psychosocial screening for patient readiness
• Immunization record including rubella, hepatitis B, Varicella, tetanus, swine flu.
• Carrier screening (racial/ ethnic/familial)
• Complications of past pregnancy (gestational diabetes, preeclampsia/eclampsia, Rh incompatibility, postpartum hemorrhage, thrombotic event.