Preconception care is essential in ensuring the health of the parents who are preparing for pregnancy. Pregnancy is a crucial period for both the mother and the child. During this time, physiological changes occur to the mother’s body and the fetus undergoes development inside the mother’s womb. The period of pregnancy is accompanied by an increased demand for certain nutrients and protection from toxicity to provide a safe environment for the fetus and to help the mother cope with the changes that are associated with pregnancy. Hence, preconception care plays an important role in ensuring that the parents are healthy and well-informed in preparation for a safe pregnancy.
Preconception care contributes to a healthy pregnancy and positive pregnancy outcomes by providing the parents with the necessary information that could guide them in making lifestyle modifications to prepare for pregnancy. The things that we usually encounter in the environment in our daily lives may seem harmless from our perspective. However, fetuses are much more vulnerable because they are still developing. Exposure to certain environmental factors, together with unhealthy lifestyle practices, could place the fetus at risk for chronic illnesses and genetic mutations and the mother at risk for pregnancy complications. With preconception care, the parents could be provided with the proper guidance in making informed health decisions, ensuring optimal conditions for the development of the child. Preconception care can help minimize gestational complications, leading to a safer pregnancy and healthier quality of life.
Reference
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