The Association Between Preconception Care Receipt and the Timeliness and Adequacy of Prenatal Care: An Examination...

Objectives Prenatal care (PNC) is a critical preventive health service for pregnant women and infants. While timely PNC has been associated with improved birth outcomes, improvements have slowed since the late 1990s. Therefore, focus has shifted to interventions prior to pregnancy. Preconception care is recommended for all women of reproductive age. This study aimed to examine preconception care and its association with timeliness and adequacy of PNC. Methods This retrospective cohort study used data from a large sample of United States first-time mothers (n = 13,509) who participated in the 2009-2011 Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System in ten states. Timeliness and adequacy of PNC data came from birth certificates, while preconception care receipt was self-reported. Logistic regression provided odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to model the association between preconception care receipt and the two PNC outcomes. Results After adjustment, women who received preconception care had statistically significant increased odds of timely (OR 1.30, 95% CI 1.08, 1.57), but not adequate PNC (OR 1.08, 95% CI 0.94, 1.24) as compared to women who did not receive preconception care. Pregnancy intention modified these associations. Associations were strongest among women with intended pregnancies (timely PNC: OR 1.63 and adequate PNC: OR 1.22). Conclusions for Practice Given that untimely PNC is associated with adverse birth outcomes, the observed association warrants increased focus on implementing preconception care. Future studies should investigate how specific components of preconception care are associated with PNC timeliness/adequacy, health behaviors during pregnancy, and birth outcomes.