Preconception counselling optimising reproductive health and wellbeing
G. Duncombe
Apr 1, 2006
Citations
0
Citations
Journal
Medicine Today
Semantic Scholar
Key Takeaway Key Takeaway: Preconception counselling helps optimize reproductive health and wellbeing by addressing conception, contraception, sexually transmitted infections, cervical screening, dietary advice, weight optimisation, smoking cessation, and alcohol use and risk behavior modifications.
Abstract
• Preconception counselling forms the basis of a preconception care program and is one of the most potent opportunities to practise preventative medicine. • Topics that may be covered in preconception counselling are conception, contraception, sexually transmitted infections, cervical screening, dietary advice (preconception folate, iron and vitamin C supplementation), weight optimisation, smoking cessation, and alcohol use and risk behaviour modifications. • Lifestyle modifications should involve both the woman and her partner; if they do not, success is likely to be limited or at least only short term. • Some patients will ask directly about preconception care but usually the GP will have to broach the subject during consultations for other reasons. • Patients with certain medical diseases or personal or family histories implying specific disease risks and/or inheritable genetic disorders should be prepared for pregnancy well before it occurs, with a plan of action formulated using a multidisciplinary approach.