Preconception Care

Importance

The periconception period is a crucial period for gene-environment interactions and forthcoming fertilization, implantation, embryogenesis and placentation: many adverse pregnancy outcomes originate in this period.  Preconception health care is widely recognized as a critical component of maternal and child health promotion. It is broadly defined as the provision of biomedical and behavioural interventions prior to conception in order to optimize women’s health to reduce adverse pregnancy outcomes. Preconception care (PCC) must be evidence based to generate resources and assure sustainability, and it must be flexible enough to accommodate local priorities. 

Currently, no consensus exists on the content of PCC and how the care should be delivered. Furthermore there are significant barriers to implement this care including the organizational and financial restrains. Hence, it is important to coordinate different resources related to PCC in order to establish a uniform policy and intervention programs of PCC to further improve the health of women and future children.