title: [Summary of the NHG Standard 'Preconception care'].
abstract: Preconception care is part is the primary care by general practitioners and midwives in the Netherlands. The Dutch College of General Practitioners' (NHG) practice guideline 'Preconception care' gives the general practitioner guidelines for assisting couples to be well informed and in the best possible health before conception. The guideline advises general practitioners to be alert for prescription of chronic medication to women wishing to have a child and informs couples wishing to have a child of the availability of a preconception consultation. The general practitioner should review which interventions are necessary in women with chronic disorders. A thorough medical family history is required for the man as well as the woman. Their employment situation and conditions also need to be reviewed. In the case of desire for a child, folic acid is advised. In addition, the practitioner should give advice concerning stopping smoking, healthy weight and avoidance of alcohol use during pregnancy. Implementation of the guideline is especially important for the less educated and for immigrants, as these groups have less healthy lifestyle habits and less knowledge of risk factors in pregnancy.
authors.affiliation: Nederlands Huisartsen Genootschap, afd. Richtlijnontwikkeling en Wetenschap, Utrecht, the Netherlands. k.vanasselt@nhg.org
authors.forename: Kristel M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: van Asselt
authors.forename: Lieke
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: de Jong-Potjer
authors.forename: Mieke
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Beentjes
authors.forename: Tjerk
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wiersma
authors.forename: A N Lex
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Goudswaard
mesh_terms: D005194:Family Practice / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009426:Netherlands; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D016742:Preconception Care / Q000592:standards*; D011247:Pregnancy; D016387:Women's Health
chemical_list: D005492:Folic Acid