Preconception Care and its Importance for the Health of Mother, Fetus, and Newborn in Mashhad University of Medical Sciences in Years 2009-2012

Introduction: Preconception care is an integral part of healthcare services for women, in which the existing risks for pregnancy are evaluated. This study aimed to determine the frequency of preconception care and its importance for the health of mother, fetus, and newborn in years 2009-2012.  Methods: In this descriptive retrospective study, the study population included newly-pregnant mothers, who had received preconception care and resided in urban and rural areas of counties. Data were gathered using forms of maternal care, which were prepared using the content of maternal health records. Results:In 2009, of 90,329 pregnant mothers, who had referred to healthcare centers, 19,233 women (21.3%) had received preconception care. Among 77,563 pregnant mothers in 2010, 22,143 mothers (28.5%) had been provided with preconception care. Also, of 84,628 and 89,693 pregnant mothers, who had referred to healthcare centers in years 2011 and 2012, 39.2% and 42.8% had received preconception care by midwives and doctors, respectively. Conclusion:Preconception care was provided for 19,233 eligible women in 2009, for 22,143 women in 2010, for 30,743 women in 2011, and for 36,029 women in 2012; this shows an increasing trend from 2009 to 2012. It seems that many diseases and medical conditions, which increase the mortality rate (as well as maternal, fetal, and neonatal complications) and require proper management, were identified and followed-up during these checkups.