Shakuntala Chhabra
Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, India
Title: Preconception / Periconception literacy, care for healthy newborn with safe future
Biography
Biography: Shakuntala Chhabra
Abstract
Context: Health of parents is important for healthy baby. It is essential that they do not have disorders. If disorders are there, are under control, more so in the mother. She must not use or get exposed to anything which affects gamets, conceptus, embryo, foetus and so neonate at birth, beyond. As knowledge, technology are expanding new information, safety concepts too are coming. Community based preconception/interconception/periconception literacy, therapy have emerged as potentially vital tools. It is not only important to ensure mother’s health during pregnancy, birth, postbirth but pre/peri/interconception also. It is essential to have awareness about men’s health too. In many situations, like extremes of age, pre-existing disorders,social problems, pre/peri/interconception literacy offers a lot to keep mother- baby healthy. Women with low pre pregnancy weight, anaemia, other deficiencies are likely to have foetal growth restriction, preterm births, low birth weight babies. Women who are overweight are at greater risk of hypertensive disorders. Women must not be exposed to radiation, harmful medication periconception. Some women might be having cardiac, endocrinal, other disorders, needing special care before conception, during conception, beyond too. They can find their way to referral well in time to get appropriate timely therapy for themselves and babies. Pre/peri/interconception literacy can reduce unplanned, too early and too many pregnancies which affect baby at birth, beyond. Awareness about preventive possibilities, possible dangers during pregnancy, need of behavioural, lifestyle change, seeking timely care, sure reduce perinatal morbidity, mortality, future health of baby. However there are challenges about contents, modalities and providers of such services.
Objective: To have brain storming about whys of pre/peri/interconception literacy/therapy, about contents, and modalities for better neonatal outcome, safe childhood, future and limitations.
Methodology: Presentation by facilitator, Group work and discussion for contents of pre/peri/interconception literacy, modalities likely challenges, limitations.