To Örebro University

Preconception health is an important topic since women and men have a possibility to change lifestyle habits preceding pregnancies, to increase the chances of a healthy pregnancy and child. The aim of this thesis was to increase knowledge about fertility and awareness of preconception health. 

Studies I and II were based on a randomised controlled trial among women who visited midwives for contraceptives counselling. Questionnaires were used before and after an intervention with the Reproductive Life plan (RLP), which is a discussion tool for preconception health. Study I showed that women do not always use a contraceptive that is suitable for their reproductive intentions and Study II indicated that women´s knowledge about fertility and awareness of preconception health increased with RLP-counselling (RLPC). Study II also showed that women appreciated the RLPC by the midwives.

In studies III and IV, data from the Swedish Pregnancy Register were used. The main findings in Study III were that smoking, and use of snuff, in early pregnancy and risk consuming of alcohol the year preceding pregnancy were associated with spontaneous abortion (SA). Study IV showed that heavy alcohol consumption the year preceding pregnancy was associated with lower Apgar-score and might have been associated with lower birth weight. 

The studies contribute important new knowledge about lifestyle factors preceding pregnancy. It is important to highlight this new knowledge together with other factors about preconception health to midwives and other healthcare providers. Preconception counselling is also needed to increase women´s (and men´s) knowledge. There is still a lack of knowledge in the field, but it is a golden opportunity for midwives to start talking about reproductive health during contraception counselling.