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Pregnancy planning and pre-conception counseling. The PRAMS Working Group
M M Adams1, F C Bruce, H B Shulman
1Division of Reproductive Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia.
Obstetrics and Gynecology
|December 1, 1993
Summary
Many women could benefit from pre-conception counseling for modifiable risks like smoking or drinking. A significant portion of mothers, even with unplanned pregnancies, had indications for this important health service.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Reproductive Health
- Maternal Health
Background:
- Pre-conception counseling is vital for identifying and mitigating health risks before pregnancy.
- Many pregnancies are unplanned, potentially limiting access to timely pre-conception care.
- Modifiable risk factors such as smoking, alcohol consumption, and poor nutrition impact pregnancy outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the proportion of women with potentially modifiable health risks who could have utilized pre-conception counseling.
- To assess the need for pre-conception counseling among women based on pregnancy planning status and risk factors.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from a population-based survey of 12,452 new mothers across four states (1988-1990).
- Defined pre-conception counseling as consultation occurring shortly before attempting conception.
- Assessed indications for counseling based on smoking, drinking, being underweight, or delayed prenatal care initiation.
Main Results:
- Sixty percent of mothers reported planned pregnancies.
- Mothers with unintended pregnancies were more likely to have indications for pre-conception counseling.
- 38% of all mothers planned pregnancies with counseling indications; an additional 30% had indications but unplanned pregnancies.
Conclusions:
- A substantial percentage of women could have benefited from pre-conception counseling, even considering a limited set of risk factors.
- Findings suggest a significant opportunity to improve maternal health through enhanced pre-conception care and family planning services.