Preconception counselling is a
forward-looking and preventative healthcare initiative, which includes a
well-rounded evaluation and training of an individual or couple who are
considering pregnancy. It seeks to detect and alleviate the risks that may
negatively influence the pregnancy of both the mother and the baby. This type
of counselling is usually pre-conceptional so that appropriate interventions,
lifestyle changes and health optimisation can be looked into to give the child
a good start and a healthy pregnancy.
Key indications for seeking preconceptional counselling:
Chronic medical condition: Patients with a history of chronic medical conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, thyroid diseases, autoimmune disease, or a history of any epilepsy are candidates to be subjected to preconceptional counselling. This will enable their medical management to be optimised, prescribed drugs that can be harmful when pregnant to be changed, and the risks to both the mother and the unborn baby to be evaluated.
Previous Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes: Those couples who have experienced previous complications such as recurrent miscarriages, stillbirths, preterm offense, babies with congenital anomalies, pregnant women diagnosed with gestational diabetes or preeclampsia, benefit very much from counselling. It assists in discovering the fundamental factors and adopting measures against recurrence.
Advanced Maternal or Paternal Age: As women become older, the possibility of chromosomal abnormalities, gestational diabetes, and other problems in pregnancy increases. In the same manner, advanced paternal age has been associated with some risks. Counselling also offers age-specific risk assessments and discusses options, including genetic screening or assisted reproductive technologies.
Lifestyle Factors and Environmental exposures: Persons with poor lifestyle traits (e.g., smoking, alcohol, illegal drugs, poor nutrition, obesity) or environmental exposure to toxins (e.g., some chemicals, radiation) need counselling. This enables the provision of advice on the required lifestyle changes and the measures that can be used to reduce risky exposures.
Effects of undergoing preconceptional counselling:
Better Maternal and Fetal Success:Counselling can prevent or better control chronic health disorders before pregnancy, leading to better control of chronic diseases, fewer congenital disabilities due to folic acid supplements, and decreased preterm birth and other complications, leading to healthier babies and pregnancies.
Education Empowering Patients: Patients develop the ability to understand themselves better regarding their health status, possible dangers, and how they can increase the likelihood of a healthy pregnancy. This information gives them autonomy to make wise choices concerning their health, lives and lifestyles.
Timely Identification and Addressing of Risks:Counselling enables the identification of possible risks promptly, e.g. carrier status in case of genetic disorders, lapses in vaccination, or drug interactions. With this early detection, they allow proactive control, which in many instances averts complications which would have otherwise occurred had they been identified only during pregnancy.
Decreased Rate of Anxiety and Stress:Providing a solution to the problem, as well as a clear plan of action, preconceptional counselling can eliminate the rates of preconceptional anxiety and stress, especially in those with known risks or a prior negative experience. This leads to a better and more ready frame of mind for getting pregnant.