Antenatal Care

Antenatal care or prenatal care refers to healthcare provided from the start of pregnancy until the day the baby is delivered. Prenatal care should begin as soon as you find out you are pregnant by scheduling a checkup with your obstetrician to confirm the pregnancy and start prenatal care programs, which include screening for pregnancy risk factors and tracking fetal growth. Antenatal care also includes preparing for physical and mental well-being by receiving advice from an obstetrician on the best antenatal care practices to ensure a safe pregnancy, lower pregnancy risks, and have a high-quality pregnancy. The mother is in good physical health, and the fetus is developing normally, without complication until the expected date of confinement, when the mother can safely give birth to her baby.

Why is Antenatal Care important?

Pregnancy is a critical period in life. When pregnant, both mother and baby face health risks, such as miscarriage and maternal death during pregnancy, birth defects or congenital abnormalities in the fetus, such as Down syndrome, anencephaly, cleft lip and cleft palate, thalassemia, or high-risk pregnancy, such as neonatal sepsis or infections after childbirth, low birth weight, or other complications. Antenatal care is therefore very necessary to help find any risks in pregnancy, including before pregnancy, during pregnancy, on the delivery date, and after delivery, to ensure every stage of pregnancy is safe and free from complications, allowing the mother and unborn baby to receive timely treatment in case of necessity.

When should I start Antenatal Care?

Prenatal care is an important part of staying healthy during pregnancy.Your doctor, nurse, or midwife will monitor your future baby’s development and do routine testing to help find and prevent possible problems. These regular checkups are also a great time to learn how to ease any discomfort you may be having, and ask any other questions about your pregnancy and the birth of your future baby.