American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology
Volume 199, Issue 6, Supplement B , Pages S280-S289, December 2008

Healthier women, healthier reproductive outcomes: recommendations for the routine care of all women of reproductive age

  • Merry-K. Moos, BSN, FNP, MPH

      Affiliations

    • Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC
    • Corresponding Author InformationReprints: Merry-K. Moos BSN, FNP, MPH, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Univeristy of North Carolina, 213 MacNider CB#7516, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7516
    • ,
  • Anne L. Dunlop, MD, MPH

      Affiliations

    • Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA
    • ,
  • Brian W. Jack, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Family Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA
    • ,
  • Lauren Nelson, MD, PhD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Family Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA
    • ,
  • Dean V. Coonrod, MD, MPH

      Affiliations

    • Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Maricopa Medical Center, Phoenix, Arizona
    • ,
  • Richard Long, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Family Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA
    • ,
  • Kim Boggess, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC
    • ,
  • Paula M. Gardiner, MD, MPH

      Affiliations

    • Department of Family Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA

Received 12 June 2008; accepted 29 August 2008.

By addressing the reproductive intentions and contraceptive practices and needs of every patient, providers may be able to decrease women's chances of experiencing unintended pregnancies and support women in achieving planned and well-timed pregnancies. By addressing the health promotion needs of every patient and examining and addressing her health profile for reproductive risks, irrespective of her desires for pregnancy, it is likely that more women will enter pregnancy with high levels of preconception wellness and that healthier women and healthier pregnancies and infants will result. The importance of the integration of reproductive planning and health promotion into women's routine healthcare is further emphasized when the potentially far-reaching effects of reproductive outcomes (such as unintended pregnancies, adverse pregnancy outcomes, pregnancy complications, and sexually transmitted infections) on women's health, well-being, and life circumstances are considered.

Key words: health promotion, preconception, reproductive life plan

 

 Conflict of Interest: Merry-K. Moos, BSN, FNP, MPH; Anne L. Dunlop, MD, MPH; Brian W. Jack, MD; Lauren Nelson, MD, PhD; Richard Long, MD; Kim Boggess, MD; and Paula M. Gardiner, MD, MPH have no conflict of interest including grants, honoraria, advisory board memberships, or share holdings. Merry-K. Moos, BSN, FNP, MPH sits on the CDC Select Panel on Preconceptional Health which is a voluntary service. Dean V. Coonrod, MD, MPH, is a Grant Recipient from the March of Dimes Arizona Chapter to develop an internatal Care Clinic and has funding from CMS (#1HOCMS030207 101) working on compliance with the 6 week postpartum visit as a strategy to improve preconception care.

PII: S0002-9378(08)01029-6

doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2008.08.060

American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology
Volume 199, Issue 6, Supplement B , Pages S280-S289, December 2008