Practice 3: Antenatal Care

Ensure that every pregnant woman receives at least four antenatal visits from appropriate health care provider including recommended doses of tetanus toxoid vaccination.

• Ask the mother how many times a pregnant woman should go for an antenatal check-up.
• Ask her if she went for ANC when she was pregnant and if she knows what happens during a checkup.
• Listen attentively.

• Appreciate if the ANC is being availed and advise to continue.
• If not, discuss and try to understand their reason. Do they not know about it, or is the money or distance a problem?
• Discuss joint solutions. For example, if money/distance is a problem or any other barrier, what could be done at family level and who can help?

• Discuss practical solutions with the mother on tackling difficult situations.
• Help her learn the schedule of 4 visits and what to expect in ANC checkups.
• Help mother identify some of the danger signs during pregnancy, birth and delivery (e.g. swelling of hand, feet during pregnancy).

• Seek Antenatal Care (ANC) as soon as you miss one (1) menstrual period.
• Avail 4 check-ups, spread over entire pregnancy, from a skilled provider.
• Ask the health worker about when to come for ANC.
• ANC check-up will include:
  • Blood pressure examination
  • Blood and urine test
  • Provision of Iron/folic acid
  • TT injections
  • Health education on danger signs, nutrition, date of next visit, birth planning etc
• Prepare for the birth of the child beforehand: save money, arrange for transport, find out people who can donate blood etc.
• Know about danger signs in pregnancy: any bleeding, fever, swollen hands and feet, blurred vision and fits.
• Sleep under insecticide-impregnated bed net.
• Sing and talk to your baby while he/she is still in your womb.