What is preconception health?

27 Jul

What is preconception health?

Preconception health refers to a woman’s health before she starts trying for pregnancy. Preconception health care involves assessing the woman’s health to learn the underlying conditions and risk factors affecting her and her unborn baby when she conceives. Various factors can negatively affect pregnancy, such as diabetes, genetic conditions, medications for health conditions, food habits, and more.

Importance of Preconception Health

Maintaining good health is essential regardless of whether a woman is planning for a pregnancy or not. This is because unplanned pregnancies account for about half of all pregnancies and carry the risk of low birth weight or preterm birth as the mother wouldn’t have had adequate preconception care. When the body is adequately prepared for pregnancy, there are lower chances of preterm birth and congenital disabilities. Therefore it is essential to have Precenceptional counseling before trying for pregnancy.

Improving Preconception Health

Women need to improve their health and prepare for pregnancy at least three months before trying to conceive. Here are the five most crucial preconception health tips:

Folic Acid Supplements: Folic acid is a critical nutrient in the early stages of pregnancy. Folic acid deficiency can lead to congenital disabilities in the brain and spinal cord, including spina bifida. All women planning to conceive should take 400 to 800 micrograms (0.4 to 0.8 milligrams) of folic acid supplements every day. This is often prescribed in the prenatal vitamins by doctors for women trying to conceive.
Substance Abuse: It is crucial to quit smoking and alcohol as these substances have a detrimental effect on pregnancy. In case of other substance abuse, such as illicit drugs or prescription medications, it is imperative to talk to a doctor and join rehabilitation before trying to conceive.
Medical Conditions: Several medical conditions affect pregnancy and need to be managed before trying to conceive. Some of them include diabetes, epilepsy, obesity, oral health, asthma, etc.
Prescription medications: It is essential to talk to the doctor about any prescription medications the woman might be on that can affect pregnancy. That also includes over-the-counter drugs and herbal preparations.
Toxic Substances: Women working in environments or with toxic materials or predisposing them to infections must consult a doctor before trying to conceive.

Talking to a Doctor

Preconception health screening and care can go a long way in improving the chances of getting pregnant and reducing the risk factors. Before trying for pregnancy, women need to talk to their doctor or health care provider about topics such as:

Preconception health check and remedial actions.
Vaccines and screening for sexually transmitted diseases.
Prenatal supplements
Managing health problems that can affect pregnancy.
Ways to improve lifestyle and health by making better choices.
Avoiding illnesses and risk factors.
Workplace hazards that might harm the mother or the baby.
Genetic problems that run in the families.
Problems from a previous pregnancy.
Lack of support or risk of domestic violence.

Conclusion

It is never too early for women planning for a pregnancy or thinking about it to work on their preconception health. By making healthy lifestyle changes and visiting their doctor or health care provider for preconception counseling, it is possible to improve their chances of conception and healthy pregnancy significantly.

References:

https://www.factchecker.in/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/PIIS2214109X17304539.pdf

https://www.womenshealth.gov/pregnancy/you-get-pregnant/preconception-health

https://www.cdc.gov/preconception/overview.html#:~:text=Preconception%20health%20refers%20to%20the,have%20sometime%20in%20the%20future.

https://medlineplus.gov/preconceptioncare.html