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The Global Library of Women’s Medicine
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Enhancing the Welfare of Women
Expert Health Information for Women
Antenatal care for
healthy pregnancies
healthy pregnancies
Antenatal care is the service provided for women during pregnancy to provide information, testing and treatment to support a healthy pregnancy and family.
During pregnancy a woman should have antenatal check-ups at least EIGHT times with either a midwife or a doctor.
Antenatal care can include check-ups with the midwife or doctor, ultrasound scans, medication, vaccinations and learning together with other mothers and families. Mothers can attend alone or with their families.
Regular antenatal check-ups can pick up and manage any danger signs, provide treatment of medical problems in pregnancy and provide treatment to improve and protect your health and your baby’s health during the pregnancy.
Midwives can give you advice on a healthy diet and why you should avoid tobacco, alcohol and other substances in pregnancy.
Iron, folic acid and, when needed, deworming tablets and malaria treatment prevent you from becoming anaemic and help your baby to grow well.
Testing for infections including HIV and syphilis means that mothers and babies can receive treatment for these infections if needed.
This can stop your baby from becoming unwell or catching these infections.
An ultrasound scan in the first half of pregnancy can count the number of babies, check where the placenta is and help know the expected timing of birth.
Vaccinations in pregnancy can protect mothers and babies from infections such as tetanus and influenza.
Regular blood pressure checks help to recognise and manage danger signs. This can prevent convulsions and serious illness.
Feeling the baby through the tummy can help to find out which way your baby is lying and how the baby is growing.
Urine testing can show medical problems that need to be treated to keep you and your baby healthy.
You should have your own handheld health record that you can keep with you wherever you are during the pregnancy.
This means that you can share your health information with any healthcare professional you meet and they will be able to look after you in the way that is right for you and your baby.
During your antenatal care, your midwife and doctor can help you to prepare for birth and understand what to expect so that you and your family are ready when the day comes.
Regular attendance for antenatal care all the way through pregnancy is life saving. We can all help mothers to attend appointments and keep themselves, their babies and our communities healthy.
The author of this ANTENATAL CARE FOR HEALTHY PREGNANCIES programme is:
- Dr Rosemary Townsend
Clinical Lecturer, University of Edinburgh, UK
The Welfare of Women programme has been created under the General Editorship of Dr Kate Lightly, University of Liverpool, UK and is overseen by an expert International Editorial Board