Essay on antenatal care

Antenatal care is the ongoing assessment of a mother and fetus during pregnancy, for the purpose of obtaining the best possible outcome for the mother and child. Throughout the antenatal period a midwife can monitor the progress of the pregnancy which will enable her to support both the maternal and fetal health and development.

Antenatal Notes: All appointments and tests made by the health care professionals will be recorded these are known as antenatal notes. The mother should carry her notes with her through-out her pregnancy so that if anything were to happen to her the doctors would have the correct information. The hospital and midwife may have duplicate copies.

Areas such as smoking, alcohol, diet, and exercise are explored in detail with attention also given to the role of the midwife in antenatal classes and the promotion of breastfeeding. The frequency of antenatal visits is also explored as well as the importance of foetal development. Antenatal care should be sought early in pregnancy.

Antenatal care (ANC) coverage is a success story in Africa, since over two-thirds of pregnant women (69 percent) have at least one ANC contact. However, to achieve the full life-saving potential that ANC promises for women and babies, four visits providing essential evidence based interventions – a package often