Discuss how preconception care contributes to healthy pregnancy and positive pregnancy outcomes
Preconception care is essential for a healthy pregnancy and positive pregnancy outcomes as pediatric affliction and some long-term illnesses are attributed to a vulnerable phase in fetal development. Various prenatal factors such as nutrient deficiency, exposure to teratogens and toxicants, genetic mutation, and environmental composition are some of the fields of interest healthcare providers have been researching on to improve preconception care. It has been said that the first 38 weeks of life is where a human is on its most vulnerable point, so proper preconception care must be implemented in order to impede the significant increase in preterm births and ensure a safe pregnancy and labor.
All diseases stem on the interaction between our genes and environment, with modifiable environmental factors accounting for 70-90% of illnesses. Because our genetic composition is predisposed to us, we can only work on the modifiable environmental factors to avoid diseases. In order to do this, we need to receive the nutrition our body needs and avoid exposure to toxic and harmful substances. In order to solve nutrient deficiency, the mother should consume healthy foods to account not only for her nutritional needs, but also for her offspring. A diet with the maximum amount of nutrition and the least amount of toxicant contamination is recommended. The mother should also take note of common nutrient deficiencies such as vitamin D, magnesium, and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).
Aside from nutrition, a healthy environment is also important in the pregnancy process. Alteration of the maternal microbiome at any stage during pregnancy may have an impact on the developing child and its gestational health. A pregnant individual must also be protected from exposure to chemicals, household and vehicular contaminants, insecticides and herbicides, toxic elements and contaminated prenatal supplements, electromagnetic radiation, nanoparticles, and genetically modified foods to ensure that no health complications will arise.
The aforementioned factors are the driving force of preconception care. With these in mind, preconception care offers both generalized health teaching regarding diet and exposure avoidance and personalized sessions to provide for the needs of a specific family. In generalized classes, patients are informed on important gestation determinants that can affect the pregnancy process so that informed lifestyle and environmental choices that ensure optimal pregnancy can be selected. Nutrition, dietary measures, toxicant avoidance, prudent supplement use, and other lifestyle interventions are discussed, as well as measures to secure clean air, water, and food. In personalized classes, dietary and nutritional histories along with environmental exposures are noted. Counselling is conducted to provide practical solutions to preclude toxic exposures.
As the saying goes, “prevention is better than cure.” Preconception care is utilized to avoid further health complications and to ensure the health of an individual. To do that, proper education and health interventions are needed. Improvements in the capacity of the healthcare sector to teach about practical nutritional biochemistry, including necessary physiological requirements and common deficiencies must be conducted. In order to ensure the health of everyone, our society needs to make information regarding safe motherhood accessible through our educational system, government program, and media campaigns.
Reference:
Stephen J. Genuis, Rebecca A. Genuis, "Preconception Care: A New Standard of Care within Maternal Health Services", BioMed Research International, vol. 2016, Article ID 6150976, 30 pages, 2016. https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/6150976