Perceptions of preconception counselling among women planning a pregnancy: a qualitative study.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Preconception care is a promising new approach to improve the health of future children through primary intervention. Although most women have a positive attitude towards preconception care, women often do not seek preconception care for themselves. OBJECTIVE: To explore women's hesitancy to seek preconception counselling. METHODS: An empirical-analytic approach was used to explore women's hesitation to seek preconception counselling. In-depth, semi-structured, face-to-face interviews (n = 16) of women desiring to conceive were conducted, and responses were analysed using the determinants 'attitude' and 'subjective norms' of the Theory of Planned Behaviour of Ajzen. RESULTS: The interviewed women expressed a positive attitude towards preconception care in general but were hesitant about seeking preconception care themselves. Women seemed to regard themselves as not being in the target group for preconception care. Additionally, we identified the following four subthemes of subjective norms around the process of becoming pregnant: planning, publicity, information on fertility and artificiality. CONCLUSIONS: Women do not consider themselves to be part of the target group for preconception care. In some aspects, subjective norms around the process of becoming pregnant may conflict with the current practice of preconception care. Recommendations are provided.