Background:
Implementing preconception care involves ethical and social issues. With general preconception care we expect women and their partners to reflect for a moment on their wish for pregnancy and that they will make their own personal plans for pregnancy. At first this seems quite harmless. However reflections may result in worries. Lifestyle advices may be compulsory. Screening may uncover deficiencies and diseases. It could be argued that this turns pregnancy into an illness due to the medicalization process. This medicalization argument has been used to criticize preconception care and has very probably partially prevented its implementation over the years.
On the other hand ethical arguments can be made against not providing preconception care, it may be seen as a failure of governmental and professional responsibilities. This same critique can also be directed towards future parents: not attending a preconception consult or not taking advice towards a healthier lifestyle may well be seen as a lack of responsibility for their future child.


Objectives:
By the end of the presentation participants will be able to recognize ethical and social issues involving preconception care and they will be able to discuss their value.

Methods:
Literature study and empirical research.

Results:
Knowledge of ethical and social issues involving preconception care will be created from the perspective of women and their partners as well as from professionals and governments.

Conclusion and implications for practice:
Knowledge and awareness of ethical and social issues involving preconception care will give direction to the implementation and the operation of preconception care. Government, professionals and future parents will be able to deal with preconception care and consider their possibilities and responsibilities. To put it briefly, with analysing the ethical issues involved, preconception care is on the right track!