In today's time, the concept of ill people being an “ill-fated victims of the cosmic genetic roulette” is quickly being dismissed. People have now begun to acknowledge that modifiable environmental determinants such as nutrient deficiency and toxin exposure, are the etiological source of most chronic illness, obstetrical complications, and genetic mutations. As mentioned in the article, the environmental domain presents two determinants that consist the environmental sphere: (a) are we getting what we need and (b) are we being exposed to things that are toxic. In the context of gestation, it is implied that the mother and child should receive the things that are essential for them, and avoid those factors that are detrimental to their health. This sums up the key knowledge that both the mother and father should take note of in order to promote safe and healthy pregnancy.
In essence, the lifestyle of the mother during preconception is a very intricate process as a healthy and safe lifestyle will reduce maternal and child morbidity and mortality. Nutrient deficiency was found to be associated with chromosomal abnormalities like Down Syndrome, while toxin exposures can induce genome instability with enhanced tendency for novel genetic mutation. Knowledge on preconception care enables the mother, through the assistance of the father, in acquiring the essential nutrients (e.g. folic acid for neural tube formation) in critical stages of development. A deficiency on knowledge of this very important prenatal care leads to inability to acquire this essential nutrient. As a result, the growing fetus will receive the most impact by escalating the risks for neural tube defects, Down Syndrome, and miscarriage. Meanwhile, it is also equally important to modify an environment where toxin exposures will be prevented. Cigarette smoke, teratogenic medications, and illicit drugs are widely recognized to be a threat to a healthy pregnancy outcome. Adequate knowledge about toxic chemicals from household and vehicle exposure, maternal occupation, food choices, electrical exposure, etc. guides the mother and father in being more vigilant about their environment.
Diverting from the common knowledge of the maternal role to pregnancy, there are also paternal roles that impact a healthy conception. Paternal exposures that are common to artists, landscapers and groundskeepers, gas and petroleum workers, sawmill employees, chemical workers, farmers, firemen, and printers, are most likely to increase the rate of childhood cancer. This may be in various mechanisms; transfer of toxicants to their partner through semen, alterations in genetics of sperm, or contact/inhalation of mother to contaminated shirt of the father. With this preconception knowledge, the father will be reminded to be equally careful as the mother because their environment can also impact the growing fetus. In addition, preconception care also highlights that fathers must also be in full cooperation with the mother in providing all kinds of support.
Indeed, preconception care is a practice that every expecting mother and father should know. It does not only help in promoting 9 months of safe and healthy pregnancy, but also to provide the child with a healthy state of the body. While all of these might be overwhelming and stress-inflicting to pregnant women, it is still the role of health workers to assist and with giving comprehensive information about proper preconception care and providing them with quality reproductive health services.
REFERENCES
Genuis, S. J., & Genuis, R. A. (2016). Preconception Care: A New Standard of Care within Maternal Health Services. BioMed Research International, 2016, 1–30. https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/6150976