Antenatal care (also called prenatal care) is the regular medical care a woman receives during pregnancy to ensure the health and well-being of both mother and baby 👩🍼.
🩺 What is Antenatal Care?
Antenatal care involves scheduled checkups, screening tests, and guidance provided from early pregnancy until delivery. It helps in:
- Monitoring fetal growth 👶
- Detecting complications early ⚠️
- Promoting healthy lifestyle habits 🥗
- Preparing the mother for childbirth 🏥
📅 Schedule of Visits
Typical ANC visits are:
- First visit: As soon as pregnancy is confirmed
- Up to 28 weeks: Once a month
- 28–36 weeks: Every 2 weeks
- After 36 weeks: Weekly until delivery
🔍 Components of Antenatal Care
1. History Taking 📝
- Medical & surgical history
- Menstrual & obstetric history
- Family history
2. Physical Examination 🩺
- Weight & blood pressure
- Abdominal examination
- Fetal heart rate monitoring 💓
3. Investigations 🧪
- Blood tests (Hb, blood group, sugar)
- Urine tests
- Ultrasound scans 📡
🥗 Nutrition & Supplements
- Balanced diet (proteins, vitamins, iron, calcium)
- Iron & folic acid tablets 💊
- Adequate hydration 💧
💉 Immunization
- Tetanus toxoid (TT) injection
- Other vaccines if needed
⚠️ Danger Signs in Pregnancy
Seek immediate care if:
- Severe abdominal pain 😣
- Bleeding 🩸
- Swelling of face/hands
- Reduced fetal movement
🎯 Goals of Antenatal Care
- Ensure safe pregnancy & delivery
- Reduce maternal & infant mortality ❤️
- Promote healthy baby development 👶
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