Preconception Care

Abstract

Obstetricians & Gynecologists, Family Physicians. LEANING OBJECTIVES: After completion of this educational activity, the participant should be better able to assess potential benefits for women and their offspring that result from preconception care, translate specific evidence-based preconception strategies into clinical practice, and select resources for practitioners and patients that are print media or online related to preconception health.

Imaging modalities to assess structural birth defects in mutant mouse models

“…The genetic causes for SBDs can be easily appreciated with syndromic presentations of SBDs, such as those seen with Down's syndrome, Bardet-Bidl syndrome, DiGeorge syndrome, Pallister-Hall syndrome, and others. However, the causes for the large majority of SBDs remain unknown, and even when the environment risk factors or genetic causes are known, there is often limited understanding of the underlying developmental etiology of the SBDs (Freij et al, 1988;Centers for Disease Control, 1991;Kihlberg et al, 1999;Bol et al, 2006;Sayed et al, 2008;Berghella et al, 2010;Drutz, 2010).…”

Healthy Diet and Nutrition Education Program among Women of Reproductive Age: a Necessity of Multilevel Strategies or Community Responsibility

“…Regular PA has to be established preconceptionally so as to prevent several complications of pregnancy. 23 In addition, exercise prior to pregnancy help woman to control weight and prevent mood swings during pregnancy as well as minimize the likelihood of depression post pregnancy. 13 Women are recommended to practice regular PA for 30 to 60 minutes per day for 5 or more days per week.…”

“…13 Women are recommended to practice regular PA for 30 to 60 minutes per day for 5 or more days per week. 23 The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published preconception references to promote knowledge of healthy lifestyles practices and to discourage health risk behaviors (e.g., cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption). 24 Alcohol exposure during the prenatal period is one of the main sources of neurodevelopmental deficits among children, as well as those of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD).…”

Discussing Appropriate Medication Use and Multivitamin Intake with a Healthcare Provider: An Examination of Two Elements of Preconception Care Among Latinas

“…Preconception care, defined as a collection of interventions that identify and modify risks to the health of a woman of reproductive age, aims to improve pregnancy outcomes by optimizing a woman's health before pregnancy. 2 Healthy People 2020 objectives 14–16, under the maternal and child health topic area, include a focus on preconception health, namely receipt of preconception care services, preconception health behaviors, discussions of preconception health between patient and healthcare provider, and increasing folic acid consumption. 3 Similarly, the 2012–2014 Action Plan for the National Initiative on Preconception Health and Health Care (PCHHC) identifies key preconception interventions, including screening for potentially teratogenic prescription and over-the-counter medications, and counseling for positive behavior change, such as increased folic acid consumption for the prevention of neural tube defects (NTDs).…”