The main purposes of this study are to discuss necessity of preconception health care and seek for the future health care policy through micro and macro analysis in response to low fertility in Korea by spread of late marriage and childbirth.
The microscopic findings showed that, according to national health insurance statistics released over the last decade, there have been increases in the total number of patient and medical expenses relating to pre-term, low birth-weight infants and congenital abnormal infants throughout fertility expectation over the whole life course as well as pregnancy and childbearing stages. The Korean Longitudinal Survey of Women and Family also pointed out that health problems during pregnancy and childbirth have direct influences on childbirth decision of women. Meanwhile, SNS (Social Network Service) analysis found that all women at fertile age have interests in pregnancy, childbirth and reproductive health not only limited to women who become pregnant or give a birth.
The macroscopic findings revealed that Korea has not paid attention to improving quality of pregnancy and childbirth, subsequently suggested from experts’ opinions that Korean fertility policies should expand to women at the whole fertile ge rather than favoring high-risk pregnant women usually after 35 and over
As microscopic and macroscopic studies on health care and pregnancy have been conducted separately, consequential polices on fertility have been also implemented apart. Integrated approaches o the health care and pregnancy based on micro- and macroscopic results should clearly understand preference of people and their choice behaviors at micro level and consider social environmental and institutional characteristics together at macro level.
