Dominique Luton1, Anne Forestier2, Stéphanie Courau2, Pierre-François Ceccaldi3. 1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hôpital Beaujon, Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, Université Paris VII, Paris, France. 2. Merck Médication Familiale, Dijon, France. 3. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hôpital Beaujon, Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, Université Paris VII, Paris, France. Electronic address: pf.ceccaldi@bjn.aphp.fr.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Preconception care is advocated throughout the world as a tool for improving perinatal outcomes. However, the proportion of women in France who attend a dedicated medical preconception visit is unknown. METHODS: We undertook a retrospective study among 401 women who delivered at a maternity clinic or hospital in France to determine how many of them had attended a preconception visit. We also collected information on various preconception care behaviors such as folate supplementation and alcohol or tobacco cessation. RESULTS: In total, 21.6% of the women took a folate prescription, and 91.3% and 68.6% of women stopped alcohol and tobacco consumption, respectively. Of the 80.2% of women who visited a doctor within the 6 months before conception, only 13.8% discussed their planned pregnancy at this visit. CONCLUSION: Although the rate of vitamin supplementation remains low, there has been an increase in adequate preconception care behavior. This indicates that improvement is possible and should be implemented.
OBJECTIVE: Preconception care is advocated throughout the world as a tool for improving perinatal outcomes. However, the proportion of women in France who attend a dedicated medical preconception visit is unknown. METHODS: We undertook a retrospective study among 401 women who delivered at a maternity clinic or hospital in France to determine how many of them had attended a preconception visit. We also collected information on various preconception care behaviors such as folate supplementation and alcohol or tobacco cessation. RESULTS: In total, 21.6% of the women took a folate prescription, and 91.3% and 68.6% of women stopped alcohol and tobacco consumption, respectively. Of the 80.2% of women who visited a doctor within the 6 months before conception, only 13.8% discussed their planned pregnancy at this visit. CONCLUSION: Although the rate of vitamin supplementation remains low, there has been an increase in adequate preconception care behavior. This indicates that improvement is possible and should be implemented.