Research Article
Chhabra S
Abstract
Concept of preconception care, ‘care before pregnancy’, has emerged in recent years, as a potentially vital tool, not only for improving adolescent girls’ and women’s health during pregnancy, birth, but also future health. Objective: Study was done to collect information, about preconception care for better pregnancy outcome, future health of women. Methodology: Information was collected by simple review of whatever literature is available to us in this rural area, about preconception, interconception, periconception care. Evidence, possibilities: Health of woman at the time of conception is important, both for her and baby’s health. Preconception care helps in reduction of pregnancies that are too early, too close, unplanned. In situations like, extremes of reproductive age, in cases with pre-existing disorders, preconception care offers a lot. Low prepregnancy Body Mass Index (BMI) is associated with adverse birth outcomes, but BMI at which risk increases is not well defined. Women who are overweight before pregnancy are also at greater risk of developing hypertensive disorders during pregnancy. Women with anaemia before conception or other deficiencies can also be helped. Generating awareness about possible dangers during pregnancy, preventive possibilities, need of behavioural change towards lifestyle, seeking timely care so as to make positive difference in reducing low birth weight, stillbirths, preterm births, prevent maternal, perinatal morbidity, mortality and have healthy babies and mothers. Actually with preconception advocacy, care, planned supervised system, all women can be helped. Those mothers or babies who need special care, can find their way to referral well in time. Preconception care closes the gap in continuum of care, accelerates improvements in maternal, newborn, child health and reproductive planning.