Preconception Counseling
Preconception counseling is a specialized healthcare service that offers support, guidance, and medical advice to people planning to have a baby. Its primary goal is to enhance the health and well-being of potential parents before pregnancy. By addressing and optimizing various factors related to preconception health, preconception counseling aims to increase the likelihood of a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby in the future.
Before they embark on the journey to parenthood, clients are urged to participate in preconception counseling sessions. These appointments offer a valuable opportunity for potential parents to ask questions and gain crucial insights into their health and well-being. Additionally, these sessions provide an opportunity to look into male health as a vital factor in successful pregnancy and overall reproductive health.
What is included in preconception counseling?
Our preconception counseling visits can usually last for up to 1 hour or longer. We’ll start by taking your medical history and discussing medications that you might be taking. This discussion will include your lifestyle habits such as smoking, drinking, level of activity, and dietary habits.
We’ll also review your menstrual cycles and talk about the timing of when to attempt conception according to your fertility window.
This appointment helps us get an idea of your general health and evaluate your conception chances accordingly. We can also make recommendations and suggestions that will help improve your conception chances and facilitate a healthy pregnancy. If you’ve already been trying to get pregnant for a while and haven’t been able to, we can help connect you with a fertility specialist.
What are the 4 components of preconception care?
According to the ACOG, the 4 components of preconception counseling include:
1. Health assessment
2. Screening for genetic diseases
3. Immunization and infectious disease screening
4. Medical and psychological interventions
When should I start preconception care?
You should start preconception care as soon as you decide that you want to have a baby. The earlier you start, the more time you give your mind and body to prepare for a healthy pregnancy. That said, experts recommend preconception care at least 3 months before you try to get pregnant. That gives you plenty of time to start the required supplements and have enough stores in your body to sustain a healthy pregnancy and readjust to any lifestyle changes.
If you want to start your preconception counseling, send us a message!
