Pre-conception counseling (also called
pre-conceptual counseling) is a meeting with a health-care professional (generally a
physician or
midwife) by a woman
before attempting to become
pregnant. It generally includes a
pre-conception risk assessment for any potential
complications of pregnancy as well as modifications of risk factors, such as increasing folic acid intake to reduce the risk of neural tube defects and counseling on smoking cessation, alcohol reduction, and medications that may compromise fetal development. Physicians, midwives and baby experts recommend that a woman visit them as soon as the woman is contemplating having a child, and optimally around 3 to 6 months before actual attempts are made to conceive. This time frame allows a woman to better prepare her body for successful conception (
fertilization) and pregnancy, and allows her to reduce any health risks which are within her control. Agencies such as the
March of Dimes have developed
screening tools that healthcare providers can use with their patients. In addition, obstetricians or
midwives (see
Obstetrics,
Midwifery,
General Practitioner) have developed comprehensive check-lists and assessments for the woman who is planning to become pregnant.