Preconceptual Care Flashcards
What does the term preconceptual care mean?
Both partners work to reduce known risks before trying to conceive, in order to create the best conditions for an embryo to grow and develop into a healthy baby.
There are nine ways that good preconceptual care can be achieved. Identify FIVE of them.
- Stop smoking
- Eat a healthy, nutritious diet
- Obtain genetic counselling (if necessary)
- Avoid hazards at work
- Treat any STIs
- Avoid the use of drugs
- Check for rubella (German Measles) immunity
- Reduce alcohol intake
- Exercise regularly
Describe why it is important to stop smoking before getting pregnant.
Smoking cuts the amount of oxygen supplied to the baby through the placenta and can result in miscarriage or a low birth weight. It also reduces both partner’s fertility so they may have difficulty conceiving. If parents smoke after the birth, there is greater risk of cot death, chest infections and asthma.
Describe how a woman can eat a healthy balanced diet.
It is important that the mother builds up reserves of the nutrients that are vital to the unborn baby in the first three months. She can do this by:
- Eat something from the four main food groups each day (proteins and cereals, fruit and veg, dairy products and proteins).
- Cut down on sugary foods.
- Avoid pre-packed foods and any foods that carry the risk of salmonella or listeria e.g. blue cheese, pate, liver, uncooked eggs and raw meat.
- Do not diet and do not eat more than you need.
- If you are vegetarian, ensure you get the vital protein your baby needs from non-meat sources.
- Increase amount of calcium and folic acid in your diet.
Why is it important to increase the amount of folic acid in your diet?
It helps the development of the baby’s brain and spinal cord. It also prevents defects such as spina bifida.
What foods are rich in folic acid?
Green vegetables such as spinach, broccoli, kale, cabbage etc and nuts and wholegrain cereals.
What is genetic counselling and why might it be considered before getting pregnant?
It is where tests are carried out on both parents to check their genes to see if their baby is likely to be born with certain conditions that have occurred previously in their family history. These conditions may include cystic fibrosis and sickle cell disease.
Having these tests will enable the couple to decide whether they want to go ahead with getting pregnant.
Why is it important to avoid hazards at work before getting pregnant?
Some jobs involve working with hazardous material or chemicals which can affect the health of the mother and of the unborn baby. It is important that the mother takes precautions to avoid exposure to these risks.
Why is it important that the couple should check if they have any STI’s?
Some STI’s can cause infertility, miscarriage, stillbirth or birth defects. The vast majority of STI’s can be treated so it’s important that any treatment that is needed is done before the couple conceive.
Why is it important that woman should avoid the use of any drugs?
No drugs should be taken unless prescribed by a doctor. Existing conditions such as epilepsy or diabetes will need to be controlled before and during pregnancy. The use of recreational and illegal drugs can put the baby at risk of miscarriage, premature birth and poor development.
Why is it important that a woman should check her rubella (german measles) immunity?
Rubella is a mild condition in adults and children. It is important that a mother checks that she has already had rubella prior to conceiving. If she hasn’t, she can have a vaccination to avoid her getting the illness whilst pregnant. If a woman catches the illness whilst pregnant, it can damage the baby causing deafness, blindness and heart defects.
Why is it important to reduce the amount of alcohol that a woman drinks prior to getting pregnant?
Drinking alcohol prior to pregnancy and during pregnancy can increase the risk of miscarriage, still birth or having a baby which is undersized. It can also cause foetal alcohol syndrome which causes serious damage to the baby.
Why is it important that a woman exercises regularly prior to conception?
Pregnancy and labour are physically demanding. By exercising regularly it will ensure that the mother is prepared for the demands on her body that pregnancy and labour will bring, as well as providing her with additional energy and helping to manage her weight effectively.
