J Korean Med Assoc.  2011 Aug;54(8):799-807. 10.5124/jkma.2011.54.8.799.

Essence of preconception counseling and care

• Hong SC
• Choi JS
• Han JY
• Nava-Ocampo AA
• Koren G

• KMID: 2191127
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5124/jkma.2011.54.8.799

Abstract

Since the 1980's, prenatal care for pregnant women and their babies has improved maternal and neonatal health. However, despite prenatal care, the rate of some complications, such as major fetal anomalies, preterm labor, and low birth weight have not improved. Only 10.3% of Korean women of childbearing age take folic acid supplementation and approximately 14% still consume alcohol during pregnancy. Because in Korea about 50% of pregnancies are unintended, those women have higher exposure rates to alcohol, drugs, and ionizing radiation. Because most fetal anomalies occur between 5 to 10 gestational weeks, the initial prenatal care provided at 7 to 8 gestational weeks is too late to prevent fetal anomalies. Preconception care may identify and modify adverse health, behavioral, and social outcomes for women and their unborn babies. Recently, a number of preconception interventions have been reported to have evidence-based effectiveness in improving pregnancy outcomes. These include folic acid supplementation, avoiding alcohol intake, smoking cessation, counseling on potentially teratogenic drugs, infection control, immunizations, and control of chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypothyroidism, obesity. For the improvement of maternal and fetal health, guidelines for preconception care must be developed in Korea. All health care providers should understand the clinical importance of evidence-based preconception care.

Keyword

Preconception care; Folic acid; Teratogens; Chronic disease

MeSH Terms

Chronic Disease
Counseling
Female
Folic Acid
Health Personnel
Humans
Hypothyroidism
Immunization
Infant, Low Birth Weight
Infant, Newborn
Infection Control
Korea
Obesity
Obstetric Labor, Premature
Preconception Care
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Outcome
Pregnant Women
Prenatal Care
Radiation, Ionizing
Smoking Cessation
Teratogens
Folic Acid
Teratogens

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