In our former post, we informed on pre-conception care and what it consists of. In essence, it aims to identify and transform behavioural, social and biomedical risks through precautionary and management involvement. It addresses key elements comprising risk assessment, medical care, health promotion and psychosocial support. In this post, we will describe its advantages and why it is necessary for positive pregnancy outcomes.
Improved delivery outcomes– Interventions such as lifestyle changes, genetic testing along with early detection of chronic diseases affect positively on the possibilities of a successful pregnancy. Healthcare personnel can address likely risk factors that can interfere with proper foetal development. Moreover, early pregnancy monitoring and support reduce the chances of low-birth weight and pre-term cases in addition to projecting potential pregnancy complications.
Improved pregnancy effects-Pre-conception care seeks to maximize maternal health prior to conception. It educates on lifestyle practices to be maintained and those that can be adjusted to ensure a successful pregnancy. Pre-conception care allows for a woman to be educated and empowered on good nutrition and lifestyle practices to prevent poor birth outcomes and child defects. Women receive recommendations on how to reduce risk of nutrient deficiencies and ensure adequate nutrient intake. For instance, women may receive folic and iron supplements to reduce birth defects such as anencephaly that may occur due to folate deficiency or anaemia due to reduced iron body stores. Mainly, birth defects occur during the first trimester and may fail to be recognized until later whereas their prevention can be done by obtaining preconception care.
Certain medical conditions and medications may increase the risk of congenital health defects due to teratogeneic effects however; preconception care can allow for early detection of these potential effects and recommend better strategies to minimize the conditions without putting the child at risk.
Improved maternal health-As earlier on mentioned, preconception care aims to promote maternal health before pregnancy occurs, and it therefore contributes to facilitating good maternal health as any present medical conditions are managed. The woman is also trained on how to achieve good nutrition and lifestyle practices to promote overall well-being.
The management of chronic conditions-Pre-conception care can aid in the early detection of medical illnesses, and as such ensures their management. The early detection of chronic illness such as hypertension before pregnancy lower the risk of complications during the pregnancy period.
Birth spacing – By attending pre-conception care visits, couples are informed on the importance of birth spacing and how they can achieve it by utilizing suitable contraceptive methods.
In recommendation, women of reproductive age should consider preconception care, to increase the probability of successful pregnancy outcomes. Women who integrate healthy behaviours and good nutrition practices as well as attend preconception care visits are likely to experience positive pregnancy effects.
In recommendation, women of reproductive age should consider preconception care, to increase the probability of successful pregnancy outcomes. Women who integrate healthy behaviours and good nutrition practices as well as attend preconception care visits are likely to experience positive pregnancy effects.