PRECONCEPTION EVALUATION AND INTERVENTION

Many pregnancies are predisposed to complications by events that occur in the first weeks of gestation. In fact, these complications may occ ur prior to the time that a woman knows she has become pregnant. Preco nception care offers patients the opportunity to address these conditi ons before conception; the potential for a satisfactory pregnancy outc ome is thereby increased. In the following report, I summarize current understandings in preconception care. Recent advances in preconceptio n care have expanded the opportunities for preventing adverse reproduc tive outcome. Although the study of preconception care is a relatively new innovation, recent studies have shown the value of preconception intervention.