Issue
Date Log
Copyright (c) 2025 Samiah Hamdan Sayer Al-Enazi, Mutlaq Mohamad Khalaf Alrougy, Afrah Saqer Saeed Almutairi, Amani Ayeed Alshahrani, Hussam Abdulmuin Alharthi, Athyah Mezel Albodairy, Fatmah Abdullah Saad Alzaid, Khaled Saad Misfer Al-Otaibi, Wejdan Ahmad Mesfer Alwadei, Sharefah Abdallah Master Alghamdi, Aisha Saad Salbi Al-Mutairi, Jawaher Hameed Mansoor Al-Elati, Nouf Abdullah Aldosre
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Preconception Counseling in Nursing Practice-An Updated Review
Corresponding Author(s) : Samiah Hamdan Sayer Al-Enazi
Saudi Journal of Medicine and Public Health,
Vol. 2 No. 2 (2025)
Abstract
Background: Preconception counseling is a cornerstone of reproductive healthcare, aiming to optimize maternal and fetal outcomes by addressing risk factors before conception. Despite its proven benefits, nearly half of pregnancies worldwide remain unplanned, underscoring the need for proactive counseling during routine care.
Aim: This review evaluates current evidence and guidelines on preconception counseling, emphasizing its role in nursing practice and interprofessional collaboration to improve pregnancy outcomes.
Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted, synthesizing recommendations from major organizations such as ACOG, ASRM, and SMFM. The review focused on risk assessment, chronic disease management, genetic screening, lifestyle modification, and preventive strategies.
Results: Preconception counseling significantly reduces maternal and neonatal morbidity by optimizing chronic conditions, reviewing medications, and addressing psychosocial, nutritional, and environmental factors. Key interventions include folic acid supplementation, immunization updates, genetic screening, and counseling on substance use and occupational hazards. Interpregnancy spacing and contraceptive planning further enhance outcomes. Nursing professionals play a pivotal role in patient education and coordination of care, supported by interprofessional teams including genetic counselors, pharmacists, and dietitians.
Conclusion: Integrating preconception counseling into routine healthcare fosters informed reproductive decisions, reduces adverse outcomes, and promotes lifelong health for mother and child. A multidisciplinary, patient-centered approach is essential for effective implementation.
Keywords
Download Citation
Endnote/Zotero/Mendeley (RIS)BibTeX
- ACOG Committee Opinion No. 762: Prepregnancy Counseling. Obstetrics and gynecology. 2019 Jan:133(1):e78-e89. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000003013.
- Smith A, Barr WB, Bassett-Novoa E, LeFevre N. Maternity Care Update: Preconception Care. FP essentials. 2018 Apr:467():11-16
- Lengyel CS, Ehrlich S, Iams JD, Muglia LJ, DeFranco EA. Effect of Modifiable Risk Factors on Preterm Birth: A Population Based-Cohort. Maternal and child health journal. 2017 Apr:21(4):777-785. doi: 10.1007/s10995-016-2169-8.
- Henning PA, Burgess CK, Jones HE, Norman WV. The effects of asking a fertility intention question in primary care settings: a systematic review protocol. Systematic reviews. 2017 Jan 19:6(1):11. doi: 10.1186/s13643-017-0412-z.
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine. Obstetric Care Consensus No. 8: Interpregnancy Care. Obstetrics and gynecology. 2019 Jan:133(1):e51-e72. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000003025.
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' Committee on Practice Bulletins—Obstetrics. ACOG Practice Bulletin No. 203: Chronic Hypertension in Pregnancy. Obstetrics and gynecology. 2019 Jan:133(1):e26-e50. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000003020.
- Țarnă M, Cima LN, Panaitescu AM, Martin CS, Sîrbu AE, Barbu CG, Pavel B, Șerbănică AN, Fica S. Preconception Counseling in Patients with Hypothyroidism and/or Thyroid Autoimmunity. Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania). 2022 Aug 18:58(8):. doi: 10.3390/medicina58081122.
- Cardenas MC, Farnan S, Hamel BL, Mejia Plazas MC, Sintim-Aboagye E, Littlefield DR, Behl S, Punia S, Enninga EAL, Johnson E, Temesgen Z, Theiler R, Gray CM, Chakraborty R. Prevention of the Vertical Transmission of HIV; A Recap of the Journey so Far. Viruses. 2023 Mar 26:15(4):. doi: 10.3390/v15040849.
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' Presidential Task Force on Pregnancy and Heart Disease and Committee on Practice Bulletins—Obstetrics. ACOG Practice Bulletin No. 212: Pregnancy and Heart Disease. Obstetrics and gynecology. 2019 May:133(5):e320-e356. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000003243.
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' Committee on Practice Bulletins–Obstetrics. ACOG Practice Bulletin No. 197: Inherited Thrombophilias in Pregnancy. Obstetrics and gynecology. 2018 Jul:132(1):e18-e34. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000002703.
- . Practice Bulletin No. 187: Neural Tube Defects. Obstetrics and gynecology. 2017 Dec:130(6):e279-e290. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000002412.
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists’ Committee on Obstetric Practice. Reducing Prenatal Exposure to Toxic Environmental Agents: ACOG Committee Opinion, Number 832. Obstetrics and gynecology. 2021 Jul 1:138(1):e40-e54. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000004449.
- Sagi-Dain L. Obesity in Pregnancy: ACOG Practice Bulletin, Number 230. Obstetrics and gynecology. 2021 Sep 1:138(3):489. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000004527.
- Martino J, Sebert S, Segura MT, García-Valdés L, Florido J, Padilla MC, Marcos A, Rueda R, McArdle HJ, Budge H, Symonds ME, Campoy C. Maternal Body Weight and Gestational Diabetes Differentially Influence Placental and Pregnancy Outcomes. The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism. 2016 Jan:101(1):59-68. doi: 10.1210/jc.2015-2590.
- Mota P, Bø K. ACOG Committee Opinion No. 804: Physical Activity and Exercise During Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period. Obstetrics and gynecology. 2021 Feb 1:137(2):376. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000004267.
- Flak AL, Su S, Bertrand J, Denny CH, Kesmodel US, Cogswell ME. The association of mild, moderate, and binge prenatal alcohol exposure and child neuropsychological outcomes: a meta-analysis. Alcoholism, clinical and experimental research. 2014 Jan:38(1):214-26. doi: 10.1111/acer.12214.
- Frayne DJ, Verbiest S, Chelmow D, Clarke H, Dunlop A, Hosmer J, Menard MK, Moos MK, Ramos D, Stuebe A, Zephyrin L. Health Care System Measures to Advance Preconception Wellness: Consensus Recommendations of the Clinical Workgroup of the National Preconception Health and Health Care Initiative. Obstetrics and gynecology. 2016 May:127(5):863-872. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000001379.
References
ACOG Committee Opinion No. 762: Prepregnancy Counseling. Obstetrics and gynecology. 2019 Jan:133(1):e78-e89. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000003013.
Smith A, Barr WB, Bassett-Novoa E, LeFevre N. Maternity Care Update: Preconception Care. FP essentials. 2018 Apr:467():11-16
Lengyel CS, Ehrlich S, Iams JD, Muglia LJ, DeFranco EA. Effect of Modifiable Risk Factors on Preterm Birth: A Population Based-Cohort. Maternal and child health journal. 2017 Apr:21(4):777-785. doi: 10.1007/s10995-016-2169-8.
Henning PA, Burgess CK, Jones HE, Norman WV. The effects of asking a fertility intention question in primary care settings: a systematic review protocol. Systematic reviews. 2017 Jan 19:6(1):11. doi: 10.1186/s13643-017-0412-z.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine. Obstetric Care Consensus No. 8: Interpregnancy Care. Obstetrics and gynecology. 2019 Jan:133(1):e51-e72. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000003025.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' Committee on Practice Bulletins—Obstetrics. ACOG Practice Bulletin No. 203: Chronic Hypertension in Pregnancy. Obstetrics and gynecology. 2019 Jan:133(1):e26-e50. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000003020.
Țarnă M, Cima LN, Panaitescu AM, Martin CS, Sîrbu AE, Barbu CG, Pavel B, Șerbănică AN, Fica S. Preconception Counseling in Patients with Hypothyroidism and/or Thyroid Autoimmunity. Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania). 2022 Aug 18:58(8):. doi: 10.3390/medicina58081122.
Cardenas MC, Farnan S, Hamel BL, Mejia Plazas MC, Sintim-Aboagye E, Littlefield DR, Behl S, Punia S, Enninga EAL, Johnson E, Temesgen Z, Theiler R, Gray CM, Chakraborty R. Prevention of the Vertical Transmission of HIV; A Recap of the Journey so Far. Viruses. 2023 Mar 26:15(4):. doi: 10.3390/v15040849.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' Presidential Task Force on Pregnancy and Heart Disease and Committee on Practice Bulletins—Obstetrics. ACOG Practice Bulletin No. 212: Pregnancy and Heart Disease. Obstetrics and gynecology. 2019 May:133(5):e320-e356. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000003243.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' Committee on Practice Bulletins–Obstetrics. ACOG Practice Bulletin No. 197: Inherited Thrombophilias in Pregnancy. Obstetrics and gynecology. 2018 Jul:132(1):e18-e34. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000002703.
. Practice Bulletin No. 187: Neural Tube Defects. Obstetrics and gynecology. 2017 Dec:130(6):e279-e290. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000002412.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists’ Committee on Obstetric Practice. Reducing Prenatal Exposure to Toxic Environmental Agents: ACOG Committee Opinion, Number 832. Obstetrics and gynecology. 2021 Jul 1:138(1):e40-e54. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000004449.
Sagi-Dain L. Obesity in Pregnancy: ACOG Practice Bulletin, Number 230. Obstetrics and gynecology. 2021 Sep 1:138(3):489. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000004527.
Martino J, Sebert S, Segura MT, García-Valdés L, Florido J, Padilla MC, Marcos A, Rueda R, McArdle HJ, Budge H, Symonds ME, Campoy C. Maternal Body Weight and Gestational Diabetes Differentially Influence Placental and Pregnancy Outcomes. The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism. 2016 Jan:101(1):59-68. doi: 10.1210/jc.2015-2590.
Mota P, Bø K. ACOG Committee Opinion No. 804: Physical Activity and Exercise During Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period. Obstetrics and gynecology. 2021 Feb 1:137(2):376. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000004267.
Flak AL, Su S, Bertrand J, Denny CH, Kesmodel US, Cogswell ME. The association of mild, moderate, and binge prenatal alcohol exposure and child neuropsychological outcomes: a meta-analysis. Alcoholism, clinical and experimental research. 2014 Jan:38(1):214-26. doi: 10.1111/acer.12214.
Frayne DJ, Verbiest S, Chelmow D, Clarke H, Dunlop A, Hosmer J, Menard MK, Moos MK, Ramos D, Stuebe A, Zephyrin L. Health Care System Measures to Advance Preconception Wellness: Consensus Recommendations of the Clinical Workgroup of the National Preconception Health and Health Care Initiative. Obstetrics and gynecology. 2016 May:127(5):863-872. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000001379.