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Preconception Care & Planned Parenthood
Preconception Care & Planned Parenthood
HOOD
Introduction
Preconception care can make a positive difference to health and the health of the
child. It is now popular to seek information and health care prior to trying to conceive
a baby. This seeking of information can help prepare physically and emotionally for
pregnancy and parenthood.
PRECONCEPTION COUNSELLING & CARE
Preconception care is a positive step toward enhancing pregnancy outcome and
provides prospective parents with option that may not be available once pregnancy is
confirmed. This preparation ideally should occur for at least four months prior to
trying to fall pregnant. If this is not possible, try for at least one month preparation.
Preconception care improves the chance of falling pregnant more easily, having a
healthy pregnancy and healthy baby and aiding recovery after the birth.
Definition
When a couple is seen and counseled about pregnancy, its course and outcome well
before the time of actual conception is called preconceptional counselling.
Goal of preconception care
To provide health promotion, screening and interventions for women of
reproductive age to reduce the risk factor that might affect future pregnancies,
Aims of preconception care
The aim of preconception care is to prepare the body for pregnancies, birth and
beyond.
To secure optimal health and nutritional condition in both parents not only
improves the chance of conception but reduces the possibilities of prenatal death
and many congenital anomalies.
To secure that the women and her partner are in optimal state of physical and
emotional health at the onset of pregnancy.
To asses’ normal health by a child bearing women, while at the same time
identifying.
To promote the prenatal health which include developing positive attitude about
sexuality, womanhood and child bearing
To benefit women being treated for a condition such as sickle cell anaemia,
hypertension, heart disease, diabetes that may cause a high risk pregnancy.
Purpose of preconception care
Establishing life style behaviours to maintain optimum health
Identify and treat risk factors before
Conceive a pregnancy without necessary risk factors
Prepare people psychologically for pregnancy and the responsibilities to become
with parenthood
Components
Health promotion
Nutrition
PLANNED PARENTHOOD
Pregnancy, child birth, a new baby, few experiences in the life has as much impact on
someone as becoming a parent. A new child brings new worries, challenges, and
stresses. And also bring new feelings, understandings, and joys. To prepare for
parenthood is essential.
Positive aspects of a child’s entrance into a family
Uniqueness of a child
Dimensions of love
Feelings about oneself
Sense of family
Personal growth
Closeness to parents
Preparing for parenthood
The practical nurse can play a significant role in the process of providing patient
education during pregnancy. The prenatal patient, especially the first time mother,
may have many questions and concerns about this period in her life. Much of the
information she may have is probably inaccurate or incomplete. Preparing for
parenthood is important to tackle all these issues.
Goals of parenting
There are 3 main goals:
GOALS OF
PARENTING
SURVIVAL ECONOMIC
SELF
ACTUALIZATION
Physical
preparation
Preparation
Psychological Financial
preparation preparation
Physical preparation
Thorough physical check up
To ensure that the reproductive organs and its functions are healthy
To diagnose deviations or abnormalities
Follow healthy habits
Educate couples about bad effects of bad habits
Psychological preparation
Wanting a child
Wanting a normal healthy baby
Satisfied with any gender of child
PRECONCEPTION CARE & PLANNED PARENTHOODPage 5
Financial preparation
Having baby is an added expense in the family.
Couples have to save money regularly from family income to meet these
needs.
Preconceptional health advices
Diet
It is important on 3 counts;
The health of women herself
Her developing foetus
Alleviation of minor disorders in pregnancy
Alcohol
Drinking alcohol while pregnant will lead to fetal alcohol syndrome.
Smoking
Smoking is linked with intrauterine growth retardation, and gross fetal anomalies.
Active & passive smoking is to be avoided.
Sexual intercourse
Sometimes couples fear that sexual intercourse in pregnancy may harm the baby. It is
preferable to avoid during the first and last trimester.
Exercise and sports
If mother is used to taking regular exercise such as walking, swimming, riding, or
cycling there is no reason why she should not continue for as long as she is
comfortable.
Travel
Travel is sometimes unavoidable in pregnancy for some woman. Long unbroken
journey by whatever transport should be avoided.
Clothing
This reflects the mothers taste and financial position but loose cool clothing will be
most comfortable.
Advantages
• A vital step in economic and social planning.
• Maintains peace and harmony within the family and also insists on the
government to provide better living conditions to the people.
• Necessary for maintaining better living standard and rise in per capita income.
• Improves socio-cultural changes which accompany the developmental process.
• Provides an opportunity for the couple to decide the family size and budgeting
the family expenses.
• Promotes better health and welfare of mother & children.
• Provides congenial & conflict free environment.
• Promotes safe motherhood techniques and procedures.
• Reduces the morbidity & mortality of mother and children.
• Parents will be able to give proper attention and concern for the child
developmental activities.
Conclusion