Pregnancy and antenatal care
Patient education
- Start antenatal care early
- Keep results and appointments
- Do not wait with warning signs
What it is
Antenatal care is the series of checks through a pregnancy that find problems early, when they are still easy to deal with.
When to seek urgent care
There is bleeding, severe headache with blurred vision, swelling of the face or hands, severe abdominal pain, fever, the baby moving much less than usual, or waters breaking before term.
How it shows
The WHO recommends at least eight contacts through a pregnancy, the first in the first three months. Each one checks blood pressure, blood, urine and the baby's growth.
What to do
Book the first visit as early as you can. Take the supplements you are given, sleep under a treated net, and keep the appointments even when you feel completely well.
Ask your maternity service about locally recommended visits, malaria prevention, vaccines, screening and costs. Overseas appointment schedules and service entitlements may not apply locally.
What antenatal care is for
Book care as soon as you know you are pregnant. Visits check the health of both parent and baby and make space for questions about medicines, nutrition, mental wellbeing, safety at home and the birth.
Assessment may include blood pressure, urine, anaemia testing, blood group and Rh status, infection screening and ultrasound. Ask about haemoglobin genotype testing for both partners if results are unknown. Rh testing and sickle cell screening answer different questions.
Preparing for visits and birth
Bring previous pregnancy records, test results and every medicine or supplement you use. Ask which supplements, vaccinations and malaria prevention are recommended locally. Do not stop essential prescribed medicines or start herbal remedies without advice.
Make a plan for where to give birth, transport, support and who to contact at any time with concerns. Once you know your baby's usual movement pattern, report reduced movement promptly; do not wait until the next appointment. Blood pressure and other problems can develop without obvious symptoms, so feeling well is not a reason to miss visits.
Sources
- Antenatal care and appointments · Public sector health information · OGL v3.0
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.