Preconception Care

Question 1

What is preconception care?

Answer 1

The provision of biomedical, behavioral and social health interventions to women and couples before conception occurs

Question 2

Name SIX potential benefits to preconception care

Answer 2

• Improve maternal and child mortality rates
• Reduce preterm birth and low birth weight
• Prevent congenital abnormalities
• Lower risk of type two diabetes and cardiovascular diseases in later life
• Preventing neonatal infections
• Prevent vertical transmission of HIV and other STI’s

Question 3

Up to how many weeks is the central nervous system at high risk of congenital abnormalities developing from use of teratogens?

Answer 3

16 weeks

Question 4

Up to how many weeks is the heart at high risk of congenital abnormalities developing from use of teratogens?

Answer 4

6.5 weeks

Question 5

Up to how many weeks are the upper limbs at high risk of congenital abnormalities developing from use of teratogens?

Answer 5

Nearly 6 weeks

Question 6

Up to how many weeks are the eyes at high risk of congenital abnormalities developing from use of teratogens?

Answer 6

8.5 weeks

Question 7

Up to how many weeks are the lower limbs at high risk of congenital abnormalities developing from use of teratogens?

Answer 7

Just over 6 weeks

Question 8

Up to how many weeks are the teeth at high risk of congenital abnormalities developing from use of teratogens?

Answer 8

9 weeks

Question 9

Up to how many weeks is the palate at high risk of congenital abnormalities developing from use of teratogens?

Answer 9

About 9 weeks

Question 10

Up to how many weeks is the external genitalia at high risk of congenital abnormalities developing from use of teratogens?

Answer 10

Around 16 weeks

Question 11

Up to how many weeks are the ears at high risk of congenital abnormalities developing from use of teratogens?

Answer 11

Around 10 weeks

Question 12

Name FOUR risk factors to the fetus associated with diabetes

Answer 12

• Fetal macrosomia
• Congenital malformation
• Birth trauma
• Stillbirth

Question 13

Name FOUR risk factors to the mother associated with diabetes

Answer 13

• Hypoglycaemia
• Induction of labour
• Caesarean section
• Birth trauma

Question 14

Name SIX risk factors to the fetus associated with obesity

Answer 14

• Neural tube defects
• Heart defects
• Cleft lip/palate
• Hydrocephaly
• Limb reduction / abnormalities
• Stillbirth

Question 15

Name FIVE risk factors to the mother associated with obesity

Answer 15

• Gestational diabetes
• Pre eclampsia
• Caesarean section
• Shoulder dystocia
• Maternal death

Question 16

What is the recommended daily dose of folic acid to be taken preconception?

Answer 16

400mcg until 12 weeks gestation

Question 17

What is the recommended daily dose of vitamin D to be taken preconception?

Answer 17

10mcg

Question 18

Name TEN foods which should be avoided during pregnancy

Answer 18

• Unpasturised milk
• Liver
• Raw or partially cooked eggs
• Pate
• Soft cheeses
• Raw/undercooked meat
• Raw shellfish
• Fish including: shark, swordfish and marling
• Tuna (limit to two portions a week - 4 tins)
• Oily fish (limit to two portions a week)