Preconceptional health promotion: a focus for obstetric care

Women contemplating pregnancy generally dream of a healthy infant yet are unaware of the critical significance of the weeks of organogenesis that precede entry into prenatal care. Programs of preconceptional health promotion provide women with information on the potential relatedness of prepregnancy lifestyle choices, health status, and pregnancy outcomes. We review the significance of this relationship and offer a framework for exploring preconceptional issues with women contemplating pregnancy.