Preconception counselling is a type of healthcare that provides guidance and support for women who are planning to become pregnant. The goal of preconception counselling is to help women optimise their health and reduce the risk of pregnancy complications before they become pregnant.

Benefits of preconception counselling

Preconception counselling offers several benefits to women who are planning to become pregnant, including:

Reducing the risk of pregnancy complications: Preconception counselling can help identify and address potential health issues that could increase the risk of complications during pregnancy.
Improving the health of the mother and baby: Preconception counselling can help women optimise their health before pregnancy, which can improve the chances of a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby.
Identifying and addressing potential health issues: Preconception counselling can help identify potential health issues that may need to be addressed before becoming pregnant.
Guidance for family planning: Preconception counselling can provide women with information on birth control options, fertility, and the timing of pregnancy, which can help them make informed decisions about family planning.

Overall, preconception counselling is an important step for women who are planning to become pregnant. It can help optimise their health and reduce the risk of pregnancy complications, leading to a healthier pregnancy and a healthier baby.

Partner Involvement in Preconception counselling

Here are some key points about involving partners in preconception counselling:

Genetic risks: Preconception counselling may involve genetic testing to identify any potential risks for genetic disorders. Including your partner in the counselling process can provide important information about their genetic history, which can impact your risk for certain disorders.
Lifestyle changes: Preconception counselling may involve recommendations for lifestyle changes to optimise your health before pregnancy. Including your partner in these discussions can help ensure that both partners are on board with any necessary changes.
Relationship building: Preconception counselling can also be an opportunity to build your relationship as you plan for pregnancy and parenthood. This can include discussions about communication, division of labour, and parenting values.

What to expect during preconception counselling

During a preconception counselling appointment, you can expect your healthcare provider to review your medical history, conduct a physical exam, and recommend tests and screenings to identify and address any potential health issues that could impact pregnancy.

Here are some more details on what to expect:

Medical history review:

Your doctor may ask you questions about your medical history, including any chronic health conditions you have, medications you are taking, and any previous pregnancies or pregnancy complications.

Physical exam:

Your healthcare provider will perform a physical exam to assess your overall health and identify any potential health issues that could impact your pregnancy. They may also perform a pelvic exam to check for any abnormalities or infections.

Recommended tests and screenings:

Your healthcare provider may recommend a variety of tests and screenings to identify any potential health issues, including blood tests to check for anaemia or other deficiencies, STI screenings, and genetic testing.

Lifestyle recommendations:

Your healthcare provider may guide you on steps you can take to optimise your health before pregnancy. This may include recommendations for improving diet and exercise, managing stress, quitting smoking, or reducing alcohol consumption.

Overall, a preconception counselling appointment is an opportunity to get personalised guidance and support to optimise your health and reduce the risk of pregnancy complications. Be sure to come prepared with any questions or concerns you may have, and be honest with your healthcare provider about your health history and lifestyle factors.

Conclusion

Preconception counselling is an important step for women who are planning to become pregnant. During a preconception counselling appointment, healthcare providers can review the woman's medical history, conduct a physical exam, and recommend tests and screenings to identify and address any potential health issues that could impact pregnancy. By optimising the woman's health before pregnancy, preconception counselling can reduce the risk of pregnancy complications and improve the health of the mother and baby. It can also guide family planning, birth control options, fertility, and the timing of pregnancy.

Request an appointment at Apollo Cradle, Bengaluru - Brookefield. Call 1860-500-1066 to book an appointment.

1. What kind of tests and screenings might I need during preconception counselling?

Your healthcare provider may recommend blood tests, STI screenings, genetic testing, and a pelvic exam.

2. How can I optimise my health before pregnancy?

Your healthcare provider may guide you on improving your diet and exercise habits, managing stress, quitting smoking, and reducing alcohol consumption.

3. What if I have already become pregnant?

If you have already become pregnant, it is still important to seek prenatal care from a healthcare provider as soon as possible.

4. Is preconception counselling covered by insurance?

Many insurance plans cover preconception counselling, but it is important to check with your insurance provider to determine the coverage and any out-of-pocket costs.

5. What if I have had a miscarriage or stillbirth in the past?

If you have had a miscarriage or stillbirth in the past, preconception counselling can guide you in identifying and addressing any potential risk factors for future pregnancies.

6. How often should I have preconception counselling?

If you are planning multiple pregnancies, it may be helpful to have preconception counselling before each pregnancy to ensure your health is optimized and any potential risks are identified and addressed.