Prenatal factors including deficiency of various nutrients and exposure to assorted toxicants are major etiological determinants of myriad obstetrical complications, pediatric chronic diseases, and perhaps some genetic mutations (Genuis & Genuis, 2016).
Nutritional deficiency in pregnancy could have dramatic effects on the incidence of illness in her offspring. The most well-known example for this is the folic acid deficiency. With this deficiency, it could lead to risks of open neural tube defects, miscarriage, and Down’s syndrome are significantly elevated. Thus, making sure that the woman has a sufficient nutritional adequacy is vital in the development of the infant.
Aside from nutritional support, pregnancy woman should also avoid being expose to chemicals such as chemicals in cigarette smoke, teratogenic medications, or illicit drugs during pregnancy can have adverse consequences for gestational outcomes and the developing fetus. Alcohol and electromagnetic radiation should also be avoided by the mother.
However, with preconception care the baby and the mother can be assured to be safe and healthy. Because it aims at improving their health status, and reducing behaviors and individual and environmental factors that contribute to poor maternal and child health outcomes. Moreover, the earlier the care, the better, as the critical stage of development of the baby’s critical development occurs as the fetus has formed the beginnings of all of its major organs. With this, preconception care indeed contribute to a healthy and positive pregnancy for both the mother and the baby.
Reference:
Genuis & Genuis (2016). Preconception Care: A New Standard of Care within Maternal Health Services. Retrieved from https://www.hindawi.com/journals/bmri/2016/6150976/
World Health Organization (2013). Preconception care: Maximizing the gains for maternal and child health. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/maternal_child_adolescent/documents/preconception_care_policy_brief.pdf