Antenatal Care – Why It is Essential

0 25 December 2017

Antenatal Care During Pregnancy is the clinical assessment of mother and fetus. It is advisable to have 12-16 doctor visits for the assessment of pregnant women before and during pregnancy. The main purpose of antenatal care is to supervise the maternal and fatal well-being during pregnancy. It also identifies and treats conditions that may harm the health of the new-born and mother; prepares for the labor and also high quality life after birth. It is better to start antenatal care as early as possible. An expectant mother should go for check-ups once in a month until 28 weeks, twice a month until 36 weeks and every week in last 4 weeks. Some of the main objectives of antenatal-care are:

  • Screen the conditions such as anemia, infections from sexual contacts etc.
  • Ensure delivery of a full term healthy baby.
  • Provide an appropriate treatment for the predictable problems during or after pregnancy.
  • Teach the mother about child care, nutrition, sanitation and hygiene.
  • Give guidance to the mother on breast feeding and post-natal care.

Antenatal care is very beneficial and it mainly falls under four categories. Accurate nutritional diet: Maintaining nutritional diet is very critical for the well-being of mother and the un