Before Is Better: Innovative Multidisciplinary Preconception Care in Different Clinical Contexts

Abstract

Context: Implementation of pre-conception care units is still very limited in Italy. Nowadays, the population’s awareness of the reproductive risks that can be reduced or prevented is very low. Purpose and main findings: We presented a new personalized multidisciplinary model of preconception care aimed at identifying and possibly reducing adverse reproductive events. We analyzed three cohorts of population: couples from the general population, infertile or subfertile couples, and couples with a previous history of adverse reproductive events. The proposal involves a deep investigation regarding family history, the personal histories of both partners, and reproductive history. Principal conclusions: Preconception care is still neglected in Italy and under-evaluated by clinicians involved in natural or in vitro reproduction. Adequate preconception counseling will improve maternal and fetal obstetrical outcomes.