Abstract

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