Preconeptional Counseling

Having a safe, healthy and happy pregnancy begins well before you have a positive result on a test. Caring for your health before you become pregnant helps you prepare for a pregnancy. Preconception counseling is a visit with your healthcare provider where you discuss many aspects of pregnancy and plan for a healthy pregnancy.

A key part of preconception counseling involves screening tests. These tests can check for issues that may affect your baby’s health and development after you conceive. Some of the preconception screenings

• High blood pressure

• Thyroid problems

• Low iron

• Diabetes

• Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)

• Genetic disorders

• Mental or cognitive disorders

Benefits of Preconception Counseling

Working with a trained healthcare expert as you plan your future family offers many benefits. The primary goals of preconception counseling include improving your overall health and reducing any factors that may contribute to less-than-healthy outcomes for you and your baby.

Preconception Counseling offers a way to identify and treat diseases and disorders that may affect you or your baby before you get pregnant. Other benefits of Preconception Counseling include:

• Reduced child and maternal mortality

• Preventing complications during pregnancy

• Preventing complications during delivery

• Preventing stillbirths, preterm labor, and preterm birth

• Preventing low birth weight

• Reducing neonatal infections

• Preventing the transmission of STDs/HIV

In addition, studies show that women who have preconception counseling have children who have lower risks of some types of childhood cancers and a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes and heart disease later.