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Antenatal care is the care given to all pregnant women during the nine months duration of the pregnancy. The care is provided usually in the outpatient clinics.

There is a schedule for the provision of this care – after confirming the diagnosis of the pregnancy the women are seen every once a month till the third month , then every two weeks till the eighth month is completed. In the last ninth month she is seen every week till delivery takes place.

The aim of the antenatal care is to provide the basic health care services. To detect any potential complications before they manifest and treat them soon to have a healthy mother and child at the end of the pregnancy!

The care can be given by training and trained professionals both doctors and nurses and midwives , who have been especially trained to provide this care .

Each visit requires a complete history and examination of the subject. This is followed by relevant blood, urine and radiological tests suited to the specific needs of the individual patient.

The blood tests include a hemogram , sugars, blood group, infection screenings, Tests for HIVand syphilis. The urine is tested by a routine test for albumin, sugar and pus cells ! The urine culture is done in cases where an infection is suspected.

The ultrasound s are done to see the baby and test it for growth , wellbeing and any malformations! The placenta and amniotic fluid in the womb are also studied. For studying the fetal wellbeing electronic fetal monitoring is also carried out by studying the fetal heart rate changes! Thus, all possible outcomes are determined and measured. The timely delivery is undertaken to ensure a good perinatal outcome.

This practice of a good regular antenatal care serves to reduce maternal and perinatal mortality in the mother and child! It is recommended that all pregnant women get seen at least three times during the pregnancy- once in each trimester as a minimum for basic care- although it may not always be sufficient to prevent complications!

To conclude antenatal care is necessary to prevent pregnancy related complications, early and timely treatment of possible medical or surgical conditions coexisting with the pregnancy, determining the place , time and route of delivery. The advice for planning the family and deciding on the appropriate number of births along with contraception advice can all be given during contact with the patient! A good antenatal care also allows for a better postnatal care.