86% of women are not getting preconception care from their family physician or OB-GYN, which can lead to a range of poor outcomes, from unnecessary fertility treatment to pregnancy complications and preterm births. You can help.
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In school, many of us were taught how to avoid pregnancy through the use of contraceptives. However, the basic details about conception are still unclear to many. Many people believe that having a baby is as easy as trying, with no planning or preparation before. This approach leads to disappointment for many, as it can take up to a year or longer to become pregnant after starting the process.
“While most sex education is spent teaching people how to avoid pregnancy, very little time is invested in empowering them with the guidance needed to become pregnant when they’re ready,” said Maven Clinic’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Neel Shah.
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Even without in-depth education on getting pregnant, studies show that nearly all women recognize the need to achieve optimal health before conception and the benefit of receiving information before conception.
This process, also known as preconception care, represents a critical step for people who are trying to conceive—yet the vast majority will never receive this care. Research from AAFP found that 86% of women are not getting preconception care from their family physician or OB-GYN, leading some people to seek unnecessary fertility care and others to experience adverse pregnancy outcomes, like premature birth, low birthweight, or birth defects.
Employers play an important role in connecting their employees with healthcare resources, which includes preconception care. By ensuring that employees have the information and support they need during the trying to conceive process, employers can help improve outcomes and lower healthcare costs for the employee and the company alike.
Here's what HR leaders need to know about preconception care benefits.
Contents:
What is preconception care?
Preconception care is critical for conception and combating misinformation
Barriers to preconception care for employees
How employers can manage costs with preconception care benefits
Designing preconception care benefits that make a difference
Supporting employees' family journeys with Maven
What is preconception care?
Preconception care is personalized, preventative care that helps employees increase their chance of having a healthy baby. Unlike prenatal care, which happens during pregnancy, preconception care should begin at least three months prior to trying to conceive (TTC). It encompasses a wide range of clinical, emotional, and social interventions designed to address the health problems of aspiring parents, and reduce risk factors.
For example, during preconception care, women of reproductive age receive routine blood pressure checks. If diagnosed with hypertension, they receive guidance on lifestyle changes and medications that are safe to take during pregnancy. People may also be coached on what a healthy weight is leading into pregnancy, and the health risks associated with higher weights. Those with diabetes are advised on the importance of glucose control for a healthy pregnancy and learn more about gestational diabetes.
Lifestyle changes and recommendations commonly advised as a part of preconception health include:
- Quitting tobacco use
- Limiting alcohol consumption
- Reducing stress
- Eating a healthy diet
- Achieving a healthy weight
- Adjusting prescription medicines
- Staying current with vaccines
- Managing sexually transmitted infections
- Folic acid supplementation
When future parents take these steps, their babies are less likely to be born early, have a low birthweight, or be born with birth defects. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends all women and men follow these recommendations, regardless of plans to conceive. Not only does doing so contribute to overall health, but it protects babies in the case of unplanned pregnancies, which account for 50% of pregnancies in the U.S.
