WHY PRECONCEPTION CARE MATTERS

 

Preconception care refers to health measures and planning done before becoming pregnant to ensure a healthy pregnancy and birth outcome. It is best to ensure that reproductive-age women are in optimal health before falling pregnant.

 

o   Women are encouraged to stay fit, and eat a balanced diet rich in essential nutrients such as folic acid, iron, and calcium. Any chronic illnesses such as anemia, diabetes, hypertension, or thyroid disorders are identified and managed accordingly

 

o   Women should be up-to-date with their vaccinations especially Rubella and Varicella, to avoid infection during pregnancy which can affect the fetus and cause severe abnormalities. We also offer screening for various sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV, Hepatitis, and Syphilis to make sure we treat the mothers and their partners and reduce vertical transmission.

 

o   We advise women to avoid harmful habits such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and recreational drugs. They can increase the risks of congenital abnormalities, growth restriction, and intrauterine fetal death.

 

o   Genetic counseling can be done to discuss the family's medical history and the genetic risks. This was very important in my home country where Thalassemia was common and partners had to be screened for Thalassemia minor, and if they were both carriers chances of them having a baby with Thalassemia Major was 25%.

 

o   Women should be screened for mental health issues such as stress, anxiety, and depression. We all know that pregnancy and puerperium can affect a woman’s mental health in various ways. We need to ensure she has mental well-being and good social support to be able to take care of another human.

 

o   Women with previous miscarriages, or other adverse pregnancy outcomes are advised to book early in pregnancy so we have enough time to screen them for high-risk conditions such as pre-eclampsia, preterm labor, etc. By taking these steps individuals can reduce their risk of complications during pregnancy and child care.

 



 

 

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