Seminars in Perinatology: Optimizing Interconception Care: Rationale For The IMPLICIT Model

SUMMARY Interconception care optimizes the entire family's health and prevent future preterm and low birth weight infants. This article describes the creation and implementation of an efficient screening process around tobacco use, maternal depression, prenatal vitamin/folate use, and pregnancy spacing occurring during well child visits. ABSTRACT Despite traditional prenatal interventions, the incidence of low birth weight and prematurity in the United States have not significantly decreased. Interconception care for women between pregnancies has been proposed as a method of improving various perinatal outcomes. Although broadly advocated by national groups, interconception care (ICC) has not been widely implemented. Previous attempts at preconception or interconception care have included x, y, z with limited success. We describe best practices for an ICC model based on screening mothers for tobacco use, depression, folic acid intake, and inter-pregnancy interval at well child visits. Because of the model's flexibility, sites can readily customize implementation by incorporating the questions directly into existing workflows and using local service providers already working in maternal-child health. This model has demonstrated promising results and ease of implementation thus far, and offers great potential for improved perinatal outcomes and promotion of health equity.