Antenatal care is the routine health control of pregnant women without symptoms before and during the pregnancy, in order to diagnose diseases or complicating obstetric conditions without symptoms, and the possible complications that result from these.
What is Antenatal Care?
Antenatal care is the term for all the activities and interventions a pregnant woman undergoes in order to ensure a safe and healthy pregnancy. It includes visits to a doctor or health professional, taking prescribed medications, and receiving regular check-ups. You can also opt for the service of antenatal care via Jacaranda Maternity.
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The benefits of antenatal care include reducing the risk of developing conditions such as preterm birth, low birth weight baby, stillbirth, and perinatal death. In addition, antenatal care can help ensure that the baby is born at a healthy weight and with few health problems.
There are many different types of antenatal care available, depending on the woman's location and her preferences. Some women may choose to receive all their antenatal care from their doctor or health professional, while others may prefer to receive some services online or through telephone consultations. Whatever type of antenatal care a woman decides to pursue, it is important to discuss her options with him or her doctor so that they can make an informed decision about what is best for her individual case.
The Risks of Antenatal Care
There are a number of risks associated with antenatal care, the most common of which is pre-eclampsia. Other risks associated with antenatal care include:
1. Pre-Eclampsia: This is a condition that can occur during pregnancy if the placenta is not functioning correctly. It can cause high blood pressure, fluid retention, and a rise in blood sugar levels, and can lead to death in severe cases.
2. Low Birth Weight: Babies who are born low weight or very small are at increased risk for health complications later in life, including heart disease, diabetes, and some types of cancer.
3. Maternal Death: Maternal death during pregnancy is one of the leading causes of death in women worldwide.
4. Miscarriage: Miscarriage is the loss of a pregnancy before 20 weeks gestation (or before you would expect to deliver). Miscarriage rates vary from woman to woman but are usually around 10%-15%. A miscarriage can be very traumatic for both you and your baby and should be treated as such.
5. Placental Abruption: This is when the placenta detaches from the wall of the uterus prematurely, potentially leading to serious maternal health complications including hemorrhage and sepsis (a potentially fatal infection).