Women's experiences of pre-conception healthcare advice - a descriptive qualitative study

There is limited awareness of and access to reliable pre-conception healthcare by women.

Providing effective pre-conception healthcare is an opportunity to improve maternal and infant outcomes. The incorporation of women's voices into healthcare design enhances the acceptability and engagement for women and couples planning a pregnancy.

What can we learn from the attitudes and experiences of women participating in a multi-modal pre-conception study about the acceptable, effective and empowering aspects for future healthcare design?

Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with women participating in pre-conception study and data were analysed using an inductive content analysis approach.

This study highlighted that personal connection with a health provider (coach) facilitated and embedded learning about health behaviours and lifestyle choices relevant to an individual's own context. Women also described developing skills to moderate self-critique and set realistic goals, as well as dedicating time and a realistic focus on themselves, as essential components for perceived success.

Personalised one-on-one interactions were the most valued component of the study for women, both for study experience and perceived success in achieving lifestyle goals. Women's description of their demanding and complex life stage demonstrates that future pre-conception health initiatives should support women to embed health behaviours individualised for them.

Tailored, personal and flexible pre-conception care delivery is important to women and should include multi-modal approaches. Whilst digital health solutions endeavour to improve accessibility and scalability for consumers, we caution that such solutions do not replace the value of personalised and woman centred care.