Content of prenatal care during the initial workup

Psychosocial and Demographic Factors Related to Health Behaviors in the 1st Trimester

“…First, health care providers may provide critically needed information to help women enhance their behaviors to promote well-being of the developing fetus as well as their own well-being during pregnancy. Second, desired behavioral changes are now recognized as occurring in stages (Prochaska, Redding, & Evers, 1997). Early contact with pregnant women allows time for the process of change to be put in place to support adoption of new and more healthful behaviors during pregnancy and beyond.…”

Nutrition for Multiples

“…Subsequent studies have reported that only 10% to 50% of women indicate receiving this recommended advice. [187][188][189] Women who reported not receiving the recommended advice were 38% to 50% more likely to have a LBW baby and were twice as likely to be hospitalized during pregnancy for complications compared with women receiving the optimal level of advice. 4,188,190 In addition, studies have reported that certain subgroups, such as low income, African American or Pacific Islanders, women 30 years of age or older, multigravidas, or those with the least education tend to receive less advice or counseling.…”

The Past and Present Practices and Continuing Controversies of Preconception Care

“…Three years after the recommendations of the US Public Service Expert Panel for Preconceptional Care were issued, a retrospective evaluation was carried out in North Carolina in order to evaluate to what extent the recommendations were followed [55]. Of the 147 women studied, only 11% had paid at least 1 preconceptional visit.…”

“…A low level of provider knowledge regarding preconception care has also been reported by internal medicine residents [56]. In the study by Peoples-Sheps et al [55], the essential aspects of risk assessment and health promotion counseling were provided to only half the women who did receive preconception care. In 1986, Barron et al [43]concluded that opportunities to provide clients with information about how to have a safer pregnancy were not used as often as they could be.…”