Over the past decades there have been important advances in technology and research in the field of medicine and prenatal care. Studies have shown that some illnesses that once have been the nightmares of every pregnant woman entering a maternity ward, have receded. However, despite the advances, birth outcomes such as preterm births are becoming worse, not only in underdeveloped countries, but as well as in the United States. And even with the recent discoveries and understanding of the disease etiology, hazards to the fetus and numbers of pediatric afflictions caused by gestational determinants seem to have been growing.
Given with such recent realizations about fetal harm in pregnancy and the various prenatal determinants, preconception care is given more importance. Preconception care refers to the health not only of women but also for men during their reproductive years. It aims on enhancing health now to protect the health of the baby a couple might have in the future. This is a medical care both a man and woman receive from their health care providers that are expertise in the field of prenatal care or those that focus on the parts of health that have been shown to increase the chance of having a normal and healthy infant. And although the goal of preconception care is the same for all those who are planning to conceive, preconception health care is different for every person, as it depends on their unique needs. For instance, based on the health history and background of a person, the healthcare provider may come up with a suggestion of a course of treatment, or a follow-up care as necessary.
Talking about preconception care may be as easy as searching what does it mean in the internet. However, doing it may be challenging. One woman of her reproductive age may think that just because pregnancy is a normal stage of a life of a woman, which of course can be of choice, going to the doctor, seeking some advices, and taking medications would all do the things to prepare her for pregnancy. But, even in the studies, researchers revealed that many doctors and health care professionals have had no training in other fields of medicine which may have been contributing greatly to the increasing numbers of pediatric afflictions. Some of these fields are the environmental health sciences and toxic exposures which focus on the modifiable environmental determinants with the potential to induce both maternal and fetal problems.
To understand more on how preconception care can make a huge impact on the health of a baby, it is important to recognize the interaction between the human genes and the environment. According to studies, it is becoming abundantly apparent that virtually all disease, including affliction in the gestational period, is the result of the said interaction. And that modifiable environmental factors appear to be responsible for up to 90% of the illness. Furthermore, it is explained that the genome part is already fixed, and that the environmental domain is the one that’s modifiable. This environmental domain consists of two determinants which is deficiency (getting what one needs) and toxicity (being exposed to the things that are toxic). Briefly, this just means that the determinants are the ones human organisms need to receive or avoid to thrive and develop. Particularly during gestation, the growth and development of early human life are much more sensitive to nutritional requirements and to toxicities from the environment as well. These adverse exposures and deficiencies of the required nutrients, may have serious and life-long consequences.
In addition, there is a number of physiological factors within the utero environment which account for the fetal vulnerability to exposures and deficiency. First, the inability of the placental unit to filter an array of toxicants. Second, the liver that is too immature and underdeveloped to detoxify contaminants circulating through the infant’s body. The low levels of fetal binding proteins which cause high unbound fractions of bioactive toxicants is also one. Fourth, the chances of repeated re-uptake into the nose and mouth through amniotic fluid of the excreted urinary pollutants because of the immature excretion pathways. Also, the immature blood brain barrier which is more permeable to adverse chemical agents. Lastly, in comparison to the mother, there is a much more toxicant concentrations by weight in the fetus which greatly affect the developing fetal organs. With preconception health care, these things are considered and the two determinants are managed. For example, there are now many considerations for the fundamental determinants like nutrients and exercise. While appropriate amount of specific nutrients are adjusted according to the mother’s health condition, there has been a change in recommendation of health care providers since the major transition in the way that people eat over the last few decades and the significant decline in the nutritional content of some foods. And as said, preconception care also considers toxicants which also contribute to possible fetal and maternal complications. One important aspect is the maternal occupational exposures as these maternal exposures also may place offspring at increased risk for adverse outcomes. For women exposed to traffic related air pollution, the outcome may include cardiac defects.
Summing up, what has been discussed above is the current condition of hazards that seem to be growing and changing throughout the years. This gives highlight to the preconception health care which is the key to have a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby as much as possible despite the growing environmental hazards and toxicants and changes in our everyday lifestyle. And although health care providers face some challenges in maternal and fetal care as well, results and findings of research and study can aid and guide them to help individuals wanting to conceive to have a healthy and positive pregnancy outcomes. This is why preconception care involves full participation of the male, female, and their health care provider. Furthermore preconception health is important for every individuals, not just those planning pregnancy. This just means taking control and choosing healthy habits. Ensuring preconception health is also a great step to start and create a healthy family, as the health of a family relies on the health of the rest of people in the family. Taking care of an individual health now will help to ensure a better quality if life for the individual herself, snd to her family in the coming years. Lastly, preconception health also gives babies the best gift of all, and this is the best chance for a healthy start in life.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). Preconception Health. https://www.cdc.gov/preconception/overview.html
Genius, S. (2016). Preconception care: A new standard of care within maternal health services. https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/6150976