PRECONCEPTION COUNSELLING AND CARE

Preconception care is a preventive and protective service that has been implemented to identify, if possible, to modify the risks and to prevent possible problems for optimising woman’s and her partner’s pre-pregnancy health with the aim of developing pregnancy outcomes. Despite its benefits, there has not been sufficient development in the practice of preconception counseling and care. These services are not common in our country, too. When looking at the studies on the subject, women's knowledge is inadequate, rates of receiving counseling and care are low. Health professionals have also lack of information about the subject. Studies have shown that preconception counseling and care have positive effects on mother-infant health. Based on these results, it can be said that preconception counseling and care services should be placed in health systems and nurses who have the most communication with individuals should take an active role in these services