Discuss how preconception care contributes to healthy pregnancy and positive pregnancy outcomes.
Human pregnancy is a time of particular vulnerability, not only to the child but also to the mother, given the variety of changes occurring in their bodies. Hence, to ensure positive pregnancy outcomes, care must already be initiated even before conception begins.
According to (Genuis & Genuis, 2016), modifiable prenatal factors are significant etiological determinants of obstetrical complications, pediatric chronic diseases, and even some genetic mutations. For instance, neurodevelopmental disorders, learning disabilities, and impaired IQ in children are highly linked to preventable gestational determinants. Other diseases, such as asthma and autism are also affected by various prenatal factors. These factors include the chemical revolution and the expanding electrical revolution. Expounding more on this, the experience of gestational exposures from these two sources will be discussed.
First, expounding on the chemical revolution, chemical exposures will be discussed. It was found that maternal exposure to toxic environmental chemicals results in the contamination of the developing child. It was thought that the placental barrier would suffice in safeguarding the growth of the child; however, over time, it was found that other exposures had obvious effects on children, such as those to medications, alcohol, and other exposures. Other than chemical exposures, household and vehicle exposures are also another factor that can affect pregnancy outcomes. Maternal exposures from toxic airborne sources have been found to be associated with a myriad of adverse outcomes, such as pediatric allergy, decreased IQ, infectious disease, pediatric endocrine disorders, respiratory illness, autism, childhood cancers, increased hyperactivity scores, congenital birth defects, and various other childhood health problems. Additionally, another factor would be maternal occupational exposures. For example, childhood leukemia has been associated with maternal exposure to solvents, paints, and petroleum products as what might occur in a variety of occupations. Apart from this, food choices also have an effect on pregnancy outcomes. Our food choices are linked to our exposure to assorted insecticides and herbicides. This, in turn, can cause neurological problems, cardiovascular problems, and increased rates of various cancers in offspring of exposed women. Aside from this, prenatal supplement contamination is another factor that should be considered. It was recently discovered that a huge number of prenatal supplements are contaminated with toxic elements, particularly lead, a bioaccumulative and teratogenic toxic element, which in turn can pose serious dangers to the development and well-being of the child.
On the other hand, expounding on the electrical revolution, electrical exposures will be discussed. It was found that maternal exposure to energy fields emitted by wireless systems, power lines, various electronic devices, and ubiquitous mobile and cell phones have an impact on pregnancy outcomes. It was found that regular prenatal cellphone exposure to expectant mothers is associated with an elevated risk for pediatric behavioral disorders and hyperactivity.
From what was discussed in the aforementioned paragraphs, it can be noted that environmental factors, even before conception, can impact the growth and development of the offspring. Hence, it is important to educate clients, especially women of reproductive age, about the role environmental health in producing healthy pregnancies and positive pregnancy outcomes. Even prior to conception, our nursing care must encompass instructing the client on practical aspects of nutrition, dietary measures, toxicant avoidance, prudent supplement use, and other lifestyle interventions. Furthermore, we must also incorporate measures to secure clean air, water, and food in our discussions.
Care must already be initiated in the preconception period for the following reasons: (1) most women do not begin to receive prenatal care until partway through or near the end of their first trimester, in which much of the critical development has already occurred; (2) the first trimester of pregnancy is a challenging time to start suggesting significant lifestyle changes due to the less optimal functioning of the mother’s body; (3) some interventions are not advisable during pregnancy and are more appropriate to be performed prior to conception; and (4) certain medical conditions and pharmaceutical use are best addressed ahead of conception.
In some sense, all women of reproductive age are potentially pre-conceptive. Hence, public health measures should be employed by implementing the widespread adoption and implementation of preconception care.
Reference:
Genuis, S. J., & Genuis, R. A. (2016). Preconception care: a new standard of care within maternal health services. BioMed Research International, 2016.