ORCID
- Shawe, Jill: 0000-0002-2766-7302
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Preconception care promotes better maternal outcomes, may assist in preventing birth defects and improves fertility awareness among healthy childbearing couples. Yet, the significance of preconception care for infertile couples is undeveloped area of practice in Europe. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To discuss the importance of nurses and midwives in providing preconception care to infertile couples in the United Kingdom and Spain. DESIGN: Discursive paper. METHOD: A comparison of different midwifery and nursing approaches to preconception care for infertile couples in two European countries. FINDINGS: At present, infertile couples' needs for preconception care are not routinely identified or understood. There is an opportunity for these needs to be considered and identified by nurses at the time of investigation for infertility or when planning pregnancy with assisted conception. CONCLUSIONS: We argue that, by providing preconception care, nurses and midwives have an opportunity to deliver important advice to infertile couples in both primary care and specialist infertility services.
DOI
10.1111/jocn.14586
Publication Date
2018-12-01
Publication Title
Journal of Clinical Nursing
Volume
27
ISSN
0962-1067
Embargo Period
2019-06-26
Organisational Unit
School of Nursing and Midwifery
Keywords
infertility, midwifery, nursing, preconception
First Page
4411
Last Page
4418
Recommended Citation
Allan, H. T., Mounce, G., Crespo, E., & Shawe, J. (2018) 'Preconception care for infertile couples: Nurses' and midwives' roles in promoting better maternal and birth outcomes.', Journal of Clinical Nursing, 27, pp. 4411-4418. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.14586
