Clinical practice guideline "preconception care"

The Swiss Society of Gynecology and Obstetrics recently issued a Clinical Practice Guideline "Preconception Care". In the German-speaking countries, this constitutes the first guideline of its kind and one of the few for Europe. The authors present the guideline, adapted for an international audience. Preconception care (PCC) is a dynamic, process-oriented approach aimed at improving maternal and neonatal health outcomes by reducing risks before conception occurs. Central to PCC is comprehensive counseling that enables women and couples to make informed decisions regarding their reproductive health. This involves the early identification of potential medical, lifestyle, or environmental risk factors, alongside the provision of targeted advice and timely interventions. Preconception care should not be regarded as a single consultation but rather as an ongoing component of routine gynecological care that is adapted to individual needs. By focusing on health optimization-such as managing chronic conditions, encouraging healthy nutrition and physical activity, and avoiding substance use-PCC lays the foundation for safer pregnancies and healthier offspring. Equally, the intentional planning of pregnancy is emphasized, given that planned pregnancies are associated with lower maternal and fetal morbidity compared to unplanned ones. Since many beneficial interventions require weeks or months to exert their effects, counseling should ideally begin well before the discontinuation of contraception. This clinical practice guideline of PCC provides a comprehensive and structured framework for anticipatory guidance, enabling risk minimization and improved health trajectories for both mother and child.