Pre-conception Counseling is defined as health education and promotion before a baby is formed or conceived. The goal of preconception care is health education and promotion, risk assessment, and intervention before pregnancy to reduce the chances of poor perinatal outcomes.

Nearly half of the 200 million pregnancies that occur annually are unplanned. Preconception counseling can play a major role in reducing poor perinatal outcomes. Pre-conception Counseling targeted at the mother, father, and family can reduce maternal and infant morbidity and mortality. Pre-conception Counseling and education must include early health promotion and information to guide families in identifying risks and addressing those risks before pregnancy.

Every woman of reproductive age who is capable of becoming pregnant is a candidate for preconception care, regardless of whether she is planning to conceive. Preconception care is aimed at identifying and modifying biomedical, behavioral, and social risks through preventive and management interventions. Key components include risk assessment, health promotion, and medical and psychosocial interventions. Patients should formulate a reproductive life plan that outlines personal goals about becoming pregnant based on the patient's values and resources.