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Book

Preconception Counseling

Josephine R. Fowler  1 , Suzanne M. Jenkins, Brian W. Jack  2
In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan.
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Book

Preconception Counseling

Josephine R. Fowler et al.
Free Books & Documents

Excerpt

The primary goals of preconception counseling and care are to educate individuals and couples, assess risks, optimize medical care, and offer interventions before pregnancy to minimize the likelihood of poor pregnancy-related outcomes. Nearly half of all pregnancies that occur annually are unplanned. Therefore, any encounter with a nonpregnant individual of reproductive potential should be considered an opportunity to discuss healthy habits. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends screening these individuals by asking, "Would you like to become pregnant in the next year?" If so, preconception counseling is recommended; otherwise, contraceptive counseling is recommended. Additionally, specific visits dedicated to preconception counseling should be recommended to all individuals desiring a pregnancy.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure: Josephine Fowler declares no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.

Disclosure: Suzanne Jenkins declares no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.

Disclosure: Brian Jack declares no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.

References

    1. ACOG Committee Opinion No. 762: Prepregnancy Counseling. Obstet Gynecol. 2019 Jan;133(1):e78-e89. - PubMed
    1. Smith A, Barr WB, Bassett-Novoa E, LeFevre N. Maternity Care Update: Preconception Care. FP Essent. 2018 Apr;467:11-16. - PubMed
    1. Lengyel CS, Ehrlich S, Iams JD, Muglia LJ, DeFranco EA. Effect of Modifiable Risk Factors on Preterm Birth: A Population Based-Cohort. Matern Child Health J. 2017 Apr;21(4):777-785. - PubMed
    1. Henning PA, Burgess CK, Jones HE, Norman WV. The effects of asking a fertility intention question in primary care settings: a systematic review protocol. Syst Rev. 2017 Jan 19;6(1):11. - PMC - PubMed
    1. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists; Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine. Obstetric Care Consensus No. 8: Interpregnancy Care. Obstet Gynecol. 2019 Jan;133(1):e51-e72. - PubMed

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