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DGRefHelp - NHS Dumfries & Galloway
Sexual health
Pregnancy related
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Preconception health
Who should preconception health be promoted to?

Please update your RDS mobile app to version 4.7.1

We are pleased to advise that deep linking capability, enabling users to directly download individual mobile toolkits, has now been released on the RDS mobile app. When you install the update, you will see that each toolkit has a small QR code icon the header area beside the search icon – see screenshot below. Clicking on this icon will open up a window with a full-size QR code and the alternative of a short URL for sharing with users. Instructions are provided.

You may need to actively install the update to install RDS app version 4.7.1 to see this improvement. Installing this update is also strongly recommended to get the full benefits of the new contingency arrangements – specifically, that if the RDS website should fail, you will still be able to download new mobile app toolkits.

To check your current RDS version, click on the three dots bottom right of the RDS app screen. This takes you to a “More” page where you will see the version number. To install latest updates:

On iPhones – go to the Apple store, click on your profile icon top right, scroll down to see the apps waiting to be updated and update the RDS app.

On Android phones – these can vary, but try going to the Google Play store, click on your profile icon top right, click on “Manage apps and device”, select and update the RDS app.

Please get in touch with ann.wales3@nhs.scot with any questions.

Who should preconception health be promoted to?

DGRefHelp - NHS Dumfries & Galloway

NHS Dumfries and Galloway

Preconception health messages should be promoted to women either planning a pregnancy or at risk of an unplanned pregnancy.
Women at greater risk of an unplanned pregnancy include those:
- not on reliable contraception or using contraception inconsistently
- with a history of attendances for emergency contraception and/or pregnancy testing
- with a chaotic lifestyle such as substance users and looked after young people
The first trimester of pregnancy is when fetal development is most vulnerable to the impact of adverse maternal biological, psychological and social factors.
During this early stage of pregnancy, women may not be aware that they are pregnant and it is not uncommon for women to unwittingly continue negative health behaviours through this important stage of early fetal development.
Health promotion for pregnancy often begins from first contact with maternity services at around 8 to 12 weeks gestation.

Last reviewed: 30/09/2021

Next review date: 30/09/2025

Author(s): West of Scotland Managed Clinical Network for Sexual Health Clinical Guidelines Group .

Version: 3.1

Approved By: West of Scotland Managed Clinical Network in Sexual Health