General practitioners are ideally placed to offer individuals and couples carrier screening for autosomal recessive and X-linked conditions.

This study investigates the facilitators and barriers to offering reproductive genetic carrier screening in general practice.

The aims of this paper are to discuss the evidence for and components of preconception care, as well as the role of the general practitioner in the delivery of preconception care.

Despite being aware of the risks of diabetes in pregnancy, less than half of women with diabetes had sought preconception care, and many had poor knowledge of the most reliable contraceptive methods.

Preconception care addresses the biomedical, behavioural and social health of women and their partners prior to pregnancy, and has far-reaching benefits for mothers and children.

Interconception care is becoming increasingly important, with rising rates of overweight, obesity, diabetes and hypertension among people of reproductive age.