Preconception care

Question 1

What are some examples of preconception care?

Answer 1

1.) Giving Protection:
-Folic Acid Supplements
-HIV/AIDS testing
-Immunizations

2.) Avoiding Teratogens
-Alcohol
-Tobacco
-Anti-epileptic meds
-Oral anti-coagulants
-Accutane

3.) Managing Conditions
-Diabetes
-Obesity
-STIs
-Hypothyroidism

Question 2

What kind of risk does taking folic acid have?

Answer 2

LOW RISK women: Recommend diet rich in folate, and a daily oral multivitamin with 0.4mg of folic acid for at least 2-3 months prior to conception, continuing through the pregnancy and 4-6 weeks postpartum (or longer, if BFing continues)

Question 3

Is Preconception care considered routine?

Answer 3

It is not considered routine, it is fragmented

Question 4

What is the definition of preconception care?

Answer 4

“Preconception care is the promotion of the health and well-being of a woman and her partner before pregnancy”

-looks at everything that happens before conception

Question 5

What kind of approach does preconception health care (PCH) have?

Answer 5

A comprehensive approach includes actions on an individual, community & population level

Question 6

How is paternal age associated with preconception health?

Answer 6

Associated with a decrease in serum testosterone, infecundity, congenital anomalies and adverse perinatal outcomes

Genetic quality of sperm produced by older men may be reduced

Question 7

What is a teratogen?

Answer 7

Any agent (e.g. drug, virus, or radiation) that can cause development of abnormal structures in an embryo is called a teratogen.

Question 8

What kind of interventions does preconception care look at?

Answer 8

Interventions that identify and modify risks to men and women’s reproductive health and future pregnancies (involves men and women)

Question 9

What does preconception health (PCH) refer to?

Answer 9

Refers to the health of all individuals during their reproductive years, regardless of gender identity, gender expression or sexual orientation.

Question 10

At what age should women start/be taking folic acid?

Answer 10

All women (aged 12-45) should be advised about the benefits of folic acid in a multivitamin supplementation during wellness visits

Question 11

What are some examples of preconception health practices/what do they include?

Answer 11

Safeguarding
Safeguarding fertility

Preparing
Preparing for pregnancy

Modifying
Modifying Risk Factors

Optimizing
Optimizing early fetal environment during the most critical period of organ development (17-56 days after conception)

Question 12

What are the 2 goals of preconception care?

Answer 12

1.) Identify health problems, lifestyle habits or social concerns that might unfavorably affect pregnancy

2.) Promote health of the woman, baby and family and to identify and modify risk factors that are known to influence pregnancy outcomes

(Can we reduce or eliminate negative influences on a pregnancy)

Question 13

What does preconception care improve?

Answer 13

-Improves pregnancy and birth outcomes (Promoting lifestyles that better the person and pregnancy)

Question 14

What does preconception health (PCH) promote?

Answer 14

Promotes healthy fertility and focuses on actions that individuals can take to reduce risks, promote healthy lifestyles, and increase readiness for pregnancy, whether or not they plan to have children one day

Question 15

What components are included in a preconception health assessment? (8 things)

Answer 15

1.) Reproductive history
2.) Environmental hazards and toxins
3.) Medications- teratogens
4.) Nutrition, folic acid intake & weight management
4.) Genetic conditions & family history
5.) Substance use-tobacco & alcohol
6.) Chronic diseases, communicable diseases and vaccinations
7.) Family planning (What do the family plans look like after the child)
8.) Social support, domestic violence, and housing

Question 16

Why is PCH important/What is the signifigance of PCH? What does PCA prevent?

Answer 16

Helps ensure that women are receiving the best and most thorough information so that they can have a successful and healthy birth

-It helps reduce the load on the healthcare system (if we are able to implement health promotion topics before pregnancy, we are able to reduce the burden and load on the healthcare system)

Prevents:
1.)Preterm birth

2.)Improves birth weight

3.)Prevents congeintal anomalies including neural tube defects

4.) Reduces infant mortality

5.) Reduces burden on health system

Question 17

Examples of common environmental factors that influence preconception health?

Answer 17

Education

Workplace

Income

Physical Environment

Access to Health Services

Question 18

What kind of implications does PCH have on a childs outcome?

Answer 18

Health of parents, their lifestyle choices, & the environment in which they live before and during pregnancy have lifelong implications for their children’s health, learning, and behaviours.

Question 19

What does preconceotion care provide?

Answer 19

Provides health promotion, screening, and interventions for women of reproductive age to reduce risk factors that might affect future pregnancies

Question 20

How does maternal age influence preconception health?

Answer 20

Advanced maternal age may be a risk factor for Down’s syndrome

Declining fertility with advanced maternal age results in the need for assisted reproductive technologies and preterm delivery

Multiples/C-sections

Question 21

What does preconception care promote?

Answer 21

Promotes health and prevents disease in women of reproductive age

(Ex. : Immunizations, Obesity (promoting healthy nutrition and exercise helps stop the development of gestational diabetes), )