definition

Preconception is defined as giving

protection,managing conditions
avoiding exposure known to be
teratogenic
….in order to achieve an optimal
outcome of pregnancy for the
woman,her child and family
 WHAT IS PRE-
CONCEPTION?
• Starts before
conception
• Promoting health of
women of
childbearing age
• Helps to improve
maternal health
• Step towards desired
 WHAT IS PRE-
• Health of baby highly CONCEPTION?
related to parents health
• Trying to have a baby-
understand it
• Prepare for safe pregnancy
& a healthy baby
• Critical development period of
baby- starts- before mother
know pregnancy
• Improve & manage Mission of
maternal health Preconception
conditions
• Improve & manage
early fetal
development
• Encourage
emotional well
being
• Modify risk factors
 Aim of
Preconception
• Finding & taking care of any Care
problems
• Steps to reduce risk of birth
defects
• Care of health issues before
pregnancy
• Prevent many future
problems for mother & baby
 Planning your
• Best thing to plan pregnancy
ahead
• Planning a pregnancy
means
• To have a healthy
baby
• Making decisions
with partner about
future family
• Whether you are
Planning your
ready for
pregnancy
pregnancy?
• Life changes during
pregnancy & after
delivery
• Planning for this- much
easier to handle it-
both partners
• Visit to doctor ( 3-6 Elements in
months prior to Preconception care
conception)
• Risk assessment

• Education & health

promotion
• Medical & psychosocial
care
 Components of
Preconception Care
• Medical history

• Psychosocial issues

• Physical examination

• Investigations

• Family or genetic history

• Nutrition

• Occupational or environmental
risk factors
• STD Risk
evaluation
Assessmen
• Genetic
issues t
• Domestic
violence
• Substance
abuse
 Alcohol,
Tobacco
 Drugs
• Exposure to hazardous
Environmental
materials teratogens
 Home, workplace,
environment
• Physical or chemical
hazards
 Ionizing radiation, lead,
mercury,
hyperthermia,
herbicides, pesticides
 Understanding your
• With regular cycles- D9-D16
fertile period
• Timed intercourse- 1- 2 days
prior to ovulation
• Best time to conceive-

• Life span of ovum is 24hrs,

sperms is 3-5 days
• How to predict ovulation-

• Temperature chart

• LH kit
 Effect of weight
on fertility
• BMI
• Positive effect of weight
loss (10%)
 Effect of
age
•Fertility goes down with age , specially
after mid 30s
•Less chances of success in

fertility treatment Time to

consult your doctor when

•Age >35 yrs- no conception till
6 months
•Age< 35yrs- no conception till
• Help to have a healthy
baby
Why is planning
• Planned babies are
important?
more healthy than
unplanned babies
• By more early &
regular prenatal care,
we can achieve a
healthier pregnancy
 Financial
Planning
• Having a baby can be
expensive
• Look for health insurance
& financial schemes
 Finding emotional
readiness
• Why to have a baby?

• Are both partners ready for

the changes affecting your
relationship?
• How will a baby affect your
education or career plans?
s
1.Physical preparation
2.Psychological preparation
3.Financial preparation
• Weight
Things to
• Alternate medications control
• Stop Alcohol/ tobacco

• Correction of cardiac
problems
• Sugar control

• R/o safe anticonvulsants

if epileptic
• Unhealthy diet &
sedentary life style
 Diseases that affect
mother & baby
• Diabetes • HIV infection/
STDs
• Hypertensio • S
n L
E
• Cardiac • Renal disorders
problems
• Blood disorders &
• Epilepsy cancers
• Thyroid
disorders
 Benefits of
Preconception Care
• Improved outcome

• Decreases fetal or infant

mortality & morbidity
• Decreases maternal
mortality & morbidity
 Barriers to
Preconception Care
• High rate of unintended
pregnancies
• Unawareness about
preconception health
• Ignorance about health issues

• Limited access to health

services
• Inadequate knowledge
 Preconception care
• Decrease fertility with age for men
• • Stop alcohol
• No hot bath, hot tub or sauna
 Causes physical & emotional
• No tight undergarments abuse

• Occupational hazards awareness

 Decrease fertility

• Knowledge & information about STDs,counselling

• Genetic Syphilis, Herpes,

HIV/AIDS
• Take care of oral health Overview of
• Quit smoking and preconception care
drinking
• Cut off caffeine intake

• Healthy nutritious diet

• Weight control, Up to
date vaccine
• Care of medications

• Exercise