According to new research, the sensitive stage of prenatal development may be the source of many childhood illnesses. Deficiency of nutrition and exposure to various toxicants during pregnancy are critical factors in various obstetrical problems. Modifying environmental factors before conception can help prevent a wide range of mental and physical health issues. In line with this, experts believe that preconception care (P.C.C.) is the next frontier in maternal and child health prevention.
Preconception care (P.C.C.) delivers biological, behavioural, and social health interventions to women and couples before the onset of pregnancy. It attempts to improve their health status and reduce behaviours and individual and environmental variables that contribute to poor mother and child health care outcomes. As a result, its ultimate goal is to improve the health of pregnant women and their babies in the short and long term.
P.C.C. addresses two determinants within the environmental domain that are essential for human development - adequate nutrition and avoidance from toxic exposures. Significant and long-lasting repercussions may result if crucial nutrients are not provided or if children are exposed to harmful substances during vital stages of development. For instance, open neural tube abnormalities, miscarriage, and Down’s syndrome are all significantly increased in pregnancies in which folate insufficiency is present, which is possibly the most well-known case. Therefore, women of childbearing age are encouraged to undergo nutritional interventions and health education through P.C.C. to promote healthy pregnancy and avoid complications. Genius (2016) recommends a credible organic food diet that is high in nutrition and low in intoxicant contamination. Additionally, women of childbearing age should also look out for common micronutrient deficiencies such as Vitamin D, Magnesium, and Docosahexaenoic acid (D.H.A.).
Accordingly, exposure of the fetus to potentially hazardous chemicals can be a risk factor for chronic unfavourable consequences. The introduction and release of tens of thousands of anthropogenic chemicals that have not been tested for their impact on human health during the last half-century have dramatically increased adverse gestational exposures due to the chemical revolution. The expanding electrical revolution has resulted in near-ubiquitous exposure to electromagnetic radiation from wireless communication devices, power lines, and numerous other sources. This means that prenatal health education is critical in preventing the mother from being exposed to potentially hazardous materials in her surroundings even before she becomes pregnant.
In conclusion, due to a paradigm shift in disease etiology, preconception care (P.C.C.) has emerged as a viable strategy for a healthy pregnancy and positive pregnancy outcomes. Informed preconception and gestational choices can help prevent many undesirable complications, recently linked to modifiable gestational determinants.