Preconception care is an important aspect of women’s healthcare that focuses on optimizing a woman’s health before she becomes pregnant. In Sri Lanka, eligible couples can register with a public health midwife to receive preconception care services. These services may include medical history and physical examination, screening for infectious diseases and chronic conditions, recommendations for lifestyle changes, and family planning counselling. Women may also choose to visit a gynaecologist for additional preconception care services.
In this article, we will explore the importance of preconception care for Sri Lankan women, the benefits of seeking preconception care, the components of preconception care, and strategies to improve access to preconception care services in Sri Lanka.
Preconception care can help women prepare for a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby. By identifying and treating any underlying health conditions, making healthy lifestyle changes, and receiving the necessary vaccinations, women can reduce the risk of pregnancy-related complications and improve their chances of having a healthy pregnancy and baby. Some of the key benefits of preconception care include the following:
- Reducing the risk of birth defects and developmental problems
- Reducing the risk of pregnancy-related complications, such as preeclampsia and gestational diabetes
- Improving the chances of a successful pregnancy and healthy birth outcomes
- Providing an opportunity to address any health concerns before becoming pregnant
Preconception care is a comprehensive approach to healthcare that involves a range of components. Here are some of the key components of preconception care:
- Reviewing medical history and conducting physical examinations: During preconception care, healthcare providers will review a woman’s medical history and conduct a physical examination. This can help identify any health conditions that may impact fertility or pregnancy.
- Screening for infectious diseases, genetic disorders, and chronic conditions: Preconception care may include screening for infectious diseases, such as HIV and syphilis, as well as genetic disorders and chronic conditions, such as diabetes and hypertension. Screening for congenital and rheumatic heart diseases is also recommended in Sri Lanka.
- Recommendations for lifestyle changes: Preconception care may include recommendations for healthy lifestyle changes, such as eating a healthy diet and engaging in regular exercise. This can help improve fertility and reduce the risk of pregnancy-related complications.
- Family planning and contraception counselling: Preconception care can include family planning and contraception counselling to help women plan their pregnancies and ensure that they are prepared to become pregnant.
- Immunizations: Immunizations are an important component of preconception care, as they can help protect women and their babies from infectious diseases. In Sri Lanka, it is recommended that women receive the COVID-19 vaccine before becoming pregnant, as well as other vaccines, such as the influenza vaccine and the tetanus vaccine, available on request.
Eligible couples can register with a public health midwife to receive preconception care services. These services may include medical history and physical examination, screening for infectious diseases and chronic conditions, recommendations for lifestyle changes, and family planning counselling. Women may also choose to visit a gynaecologist for additional preconception care services.
Here are some important considerations for preconception care in Sri Lanka:
- Registering in the eligible couple register with public health midwife: Eligible couples should register with a public health midwife to receive preconception care services. This registration ensures that women receive timely and appropriate care during the preconception period.
- Optimal timing of stopping family planning: Women who are using family planning methods should consult with their healthcare provider to determine the optimal timing for stopping these methods before attempting to conceive. This can help ensure that women are in the best possible health before becoming pregnant.
- Awareness about the fertile period and ovulation: Women who are trying to conceive should be aware of their fertile period, which is the time when they are most likely to become pregnant. This can be determined by using a fertile period calculator, which is available on websites such as www.vog.lk and www.sugabi.lk. Knowing when ovulation occurs can help women plan for the best time to have intercourse.
- Optional visit to a gynaecologist: Women may choose to visit a gynaecologist for additional preconception care services. This may include more in-depth screening for health conditions and counselling on fertility and pregnancy planning.
- Healthy lifestyle changes: Making healthy lifestyle changes is an important component of preconception care. Women should eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and avoid unhealthy habits such as smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.
- Screening for congenital and rheumatic heart diseases: In Sri Lanka, screening for congenital and rheumatic heart diseases is recommended as part of preconception care. This can help identify any underlying heart conditions that may impact pregnancy outcomes.
Preconception care is essential to women’s healthcare, as it can help prepare women for a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby. In Sri Lanka, eligible couples can register with a public health midwife to receive preconception care services, including medical history and physical examination, screening for health conditions, recommendations for lifestyle changes, and family planning counselling. Women may also choose to visit a gynaecologist for additional preconception care services. By optimising their health before becoming pregnant, women can reduce the risk of pregnancy-related complications and improve their chances of having a healthy pregnancy and baby.
