HealthJuly 18, 2026

preconception

PREE-kuh-nsep-shun

Definition

The period of time before a person is conceived; in a medical or scientific context, referring to events, exposures, or health conditions that occur prior to the start of a pregnancy.

Etymology

The word is formed from the prefix 'pre-' meaning 'before' and 'conception,' which comes from the Latin 'conceptio,' meaning a taking in or becoming pregnant.

In the news

The article uses the term to describe trauma experienced by parents before they conceived their children, exploring how such past experiences can influence the long-term mental health of offspring.

Children of Holocaust survivors face higher schizophrenia risk, Israeli study finds

Read the full article ↗

The Jerusalem Post

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