Antenatal care involves comprehensive health supervision and monitoring of a pregnant woman from conception until delivery. It aims to ensure the health of both the mother and fetus, and to detect and treat any complications early. Key aspects of antenatal care include regular checkups and assessments of medical history, weight, fetal growth and heart rate. Tests are also performed to monitor conditions like anemia. Education is provided about healthy lifestyle and common discomforts during pregnancy. The schedule of visits increases as the pregnancy progresses.

1. Antenatal Care

2. Definition of Antenatal care
comprehensive health supervision of a
pregnant woman before delivery
Or it is planned examination, observation
and guidance given to the pregnant
woman from conception till the time of
labor.

3. Goals
To reduce maternal and perinatal
mortality and morbidity rates
To improve the physical and mental
health of women and children

4. Importance of Antenatal Care
 To ensure that the pregnant woman and her
fetus are in the best possible health.
 To detect early and treat properly
complications
 Offering education for parenthood
 To prepare the woman for labor, lactation and
care of her infant

5. Schedule for Antenatal Visits:
The first visit or initial visit should be made
as early is pregnancy as possible.
Return Visits:
Once every month till 7th month.
Once every 2 weeks till the 9th month
Once every week during the 9th month,
till labor.

6. Assessment
History Examination Investigation

7. History
Personal history
Family history
Medical and surgical history
Menstrual history
Obstetrical history
History of present pregnancy

8. Physical Examinations
Height of over 150 cm indication of an
average-sized pelvis
The approximate weight gain during
pregnancy is 12 kg.; 2kg in the first 20
weeks and 10 kg in the remaining 20
weeks (1.5 kg per week until term).

9. Obesity (more than 20 kg above the
weight-height formula) leads to an
increased risk of gestational diabetes,
pregnancy-induced hypertension and
thrombo-embolic disorders

10. Local Examination
The uterus may be higher than expected
due to large fetus, multiple pregnancy,
polyhydrammnios or mistaken date of last
menstrual period.
The uterus may be lower than expected due
to small fetus, intrauterine growth
retardation, oligohydramnios or mistaken
date of last menstrual period.

11. Fetal heart sound is heard by sonicaid
as early as 10thweek of pregnancy.
Fetal heart sound is heard by Pinard' s
fetal stethoscope after the 20thweek of
pregnancy.
The normal fetal heart rate is 120-160
beats/min

12. Investigations:
Urine should be tested for sugar,
ketones and protein.
Hemoglobin will be repeated:
At 36 weeks of gestation.
Every 4 weeks if Hb is < 9 g/dl.

13. Fetal kick count
The pregnant woman reports at
least 10 movements in 12 hours.
Absence of fetal movements
precedes intrauterine fetal death
by 48 hours.

14. Health Teaching during the First
Trimester
 Physiological changes
during pregnancy
 Weight gain
 Fresh air and sunshine
 Rest and sleep
 Diet
 Daily activities
 Exercises and relaxation
 Hygiene
 Teeth
 Bladder and bowel
 Sexual counseling
 Smoking :
 Medications
 Infection
 Irradiation
 Occupational and
environmental hazards
 Travel
 Follow up
 Minor discomforts
 Signs of Potential
Complications

15.  Exercise should be simple, mild exercise avoid
lifting heavy weights
 A tooth can be extracted during pregnancy,
but local analgesia is recommended
 Catheter and enema should be avoided.
 Smoking may lead to ptyalism, nervousness
and hyper emesis and make pregnant woman
at increased risk of chest infections and
thrombo-embolic disorders

16.  Pregnant woman should avoid contact with
infectious diseases especially rubella or
(German measles) because it has deleterious
effects on the fetus
 Pregnant woman should avoid exposure to x-
ray or irradiation because of possible
teratogenic effects on the fetus such as birth
defects or childhood leukemia

17. Common Discomforts of Pregnancy,
Etiology, and Relief Measures:
Urinary frequency
RELIEF MEASURES:
 Decrease fluid intake at night.
 Maintain fluid intake during day.
 Void when feel the urge.

18. Fatigue
RELIEF MEASURES:
 Rest frequency.
 Go to bed earlier.

19. Sleep difficulties
RELIEF MEASURES:
Rest frequency
 Decrease fluid intake at night

20. Breast enlargement and
sensitivity
RELIEF MEASURES:
 Wear a good supporting bra.
 Assess for other conditions.

21. Nasal stuffiness and epistaxis
ETIOLGY: Elevated estrogen levels
 RELIEF MEASURES :
Avoid decongestants.
Use humidifiers, and normal saline drops.

22. Ptyalism (excessive
salivation(
ETIOLGY: Unknown
RELIEF MEASURES:
Perform frequent mouth care.
Chew gum.
Decrease fluid intake at night.
Maintain fluid intake during day.

23. Nausea and vomiting
 RELIEF MEASURES:
 Avoid food or smells that exacerbate condition.
 Eat dry crackers or toast before rising in
morning.
 Eat small, frequent meals.
 Avoid sudden movements. Get out of bed slowly
 Breath fresh air to help relieve nausea.

24. Shortness of breath
RELIEF MEASURES:
 Use extra pillows at night to keep more upright.
 Limit activity during day

25. Heartburn
RELIEF MEASURES:
 Eat small, more frequent meals.
 Use antacids.
 Avoid overeating and spicy foods.

26. Dependent edema
 Avoid standing for long periods.
 Elevate legs when laying or sitting.
 Avoid tight stockings.

27. Varicosities
 Rest in sims' position.
 Elevate legs regularly.
 Avoid crossing legs.
 Avoid tight stockings.
 Avoid long periods of standing

28. Hemorrhoids
RELIEF MEASURES:
Maintain regular bowel habits.
Use prescribed stool softeners.
Apply topical or anesthetic
ointments to area.

29. Constipation
RELIEF MEASURES:
Maintain regular bowel habits.
Increase fiber in diet.
Increase fluids.
Find iron preparation that is
least constipating

30. Leucorrhea
RELIEF MEASURES:
Take a daily bath or shower.
Wear cotton underwear.

31. Backache
RELIEF MEASURES:
Wear shoes with low heels.
Walk with pelvis tilted forward.
Use firmer mattress.
Perform pelvic rocking or tilting

32. Leg cramps
RELIEF MEASURES:
 Extend affected leg and dorsiflex the foot.
 Elevate lower legs frequently.
 Apply heat to muscles.
 Evaluate diet.

33. Faintness
RELIEF MEASURES:
•Rise slowly from sitting to standing.
•Evaluate hemoglobin and
hematocrit.
•Avoid hot environments