title: Preconception evaluation and intervention.
abstract: Many pregnancies are predisposed to complications by events that occur in the first weeks of gestation. In fact, these complications may occur prior to the time that a woman knows she has become pregnant. Preconception care offers patients the opportunity to address these conditions before conception; the potential for a satisfactory pregnancy outcome is thereby increased. In the following report, I summarize current understandings in preconception care. Recent advances in preconception care have expanded the opportunities for preventing adverse reproductive outcome. Although the study of preconception care is a relatively new innovation, recent studies have shown the value of preconception intervention.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City 37614-0569.
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Olsen
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016742:Preconception Care; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011295:Prenatal Care; D012307:Risk Factors