Regular antenatal care is a key component of a healthy pregnancy and provides an opportunity to receive advice, information and support, while engaging in shared decision making about your pregnancy that is designed to suit your individual pregnancy needs.
KEY POINTS
Antenatal care should be woman centred acknowledging pregnancy is a normal life event for most.
Antenatal care improves pregnancy outcomes for both mother and baby by recognising potential problems in pregnancy early.
The range of routine antenatal care visits range from 7 – 12 throughout the course of pregnancy with the average being around 10 visits.
During each visit your midwife or doctor will discuss screening test and arrange these as required.
It’s good if your partner, a friend or a family member can go with you to antenatal appointments.
Antenatal appointments keep track of your health and your baby’s health and are a great time to ask questions, discuss concerns and get health and lifestyle support throughout your pregnancy. All antenatal visits require a directed clinical assessment at each visit, with a focus on general wellbeing and early diagnosis of pregnancy complications.
The clinical assessment should include a –
- blood pressure check
- urine dip stick, usually you do this yourself
- weight and how you can achieve a healthy weight gain
- measure your tummy, otherwise called a symphysis-fundal height (SFH) measurement
- listen to your baby’s heartbeat using a handheld doppler, this is always lovely to hear
- and ask about your baby’s movements from approximately 20 weeks of pregnancy onwards.
The midwife or doctor may also
- recommend blood tests, screening tests and other tests when appropriate and talk about test results.
- discuss healthy eating options and foods that aren’t recommended in pregnancy.
- ask about your lifestyle and help you get support for lifestyle changes like quitting smoking, or giving up alcohol or other drugs
- ask about your work and home environment and your family situation and support throughout your pregnancy.
Many women attend antenatal visits every 4-6 weeks until 28 weeks of pregnancy, then every 2-3 weeks until 36 weeks of pregnancy. After this, you’ll probably have weekly or fortnightly visits until birth. The number and timing of pregnancy appointments could be more or less than this, depending on your health and your baby’s health. For example, if you have a high-risk pregnancy you might have more pregnancy appointments. Your midwife or doctor will talk with you about the appointments you need and why.
Having access to maternity care that is culturally appropriate and personally acceptable is important throughout antenatal care. Your midwife or doctor will ideally provide informed choice, and where possible include you in both the planning and monitoring of your pregnancy care.
Choice in pregnancy care is important and your midwife or doctor will provide access to appropriate information about the benefits and potential risks of each and every option of your pregnancy care as it applies to yours and your baby’s individual needs at each antenatal visit appointment. Be sure to ask questions at each visit too.
