Preconception Care and Pregnancy Outcome

The Foresight Preconception Association in the U.K. carried out a study involving 367 couples who took part in a preconception health care program. Among the participating couples, 217 (59%) had a previous history of reproductive problems:

• 136 were infertile
• 139 had a history of miscarriages
• 11 had a stillborn
• 40 were small-for-dates
• 15 were low birthweight
• 7 were malformed
• 3 infants died of sudden infant death syndrome.

After both partners completed the preconception care program, 327 couples conceived and had a healthy baby. All babies were born with an average birth weight of 3265 grams. Significantly, there were no miscarriages or malformations. A 4-month preconception care plan can help prevent miscarriage, premature labour, stillbirths and birth defects and appears to have a success rate of over 80%. Ref: Ward, N. Journal of Nutritional & Environmental Medicine, 1995, 5: 205-208.