Preconception Health

Preconception Health - General Overview

• Preconception health refers to the health of women and men during their reproductive years.
• It encompasses medical, behavioural, and social health aspects that influence fertility and pregnancy outcomes.
• The key aspect of preconception health is preparing for pregnancy before it actually happens.

Why Preconception Health Matters

• Preconception health impacts both the short-term and long-term health of the mother and the child.
• It can help reduce the risk of adverse health effects for the baby such as preterm birth, low birth weight, or congenital abnormalities.
• Some health conditions and risk factors could be identified and managed before pregnancy, resulting in better pregnancy outcomes.
• It affects not only physical health, but also mental and emotional well-being of the prospective parents, laying the basis for healthy parenting.

Essential Elements of Preconception Health

• Multivitamins and Folic Acid: Regular use of multivitamins, especially those with folic acid can help prevent certain birth defects.
• Disease Management: Existing chronic diseases like diabetes or high blood pressure should be well managed.
• Healthy Lifestyle: Prospective parents should lead a healthy lifestyle, which includes eating a balanced diet, getting regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding harmful substances like alcohol and tobacco, and managing stress.
• Genetic Counselling: Parents with a family history of genetic disorders could benefit from genetic counselling to understand potential risks.

Barriers to Preconception Health

• Many people are unaware of the importance of preconception health.
• Misperceptions about fertility and reproductive health can create barriers.
• Limited access to healthcare, lack of insurance, or low socioeconomic status can prevent people from obtaining preconception care.
• Cultural norms or societal pressures can also pose obstacles to adopting healthy behaviours prior to conception.

Improving Preconception Health

• The education of both healthcare providers and patients about the importance of preconception health can enhance accessibility and utilisation.
• Policies encouraging affordable and comprehensive preconception care can improve health outcomes.
• Various online resources, patient-friendly materials, and supportive healthcare environments can promote preconception health.
• Community awareness programs can help in dispelling myths and misconceptions about preconception health.