Antenatal care: what to expect through pregnancy

Antenatal care exists to catch problems early, when they are easiest to manage. Start as soon as you know you are pregnant rather than waiting until you are showing.

What happens at visits

Expect your blood pressure, weight and urine to be checked each time, your abdomen examined as pregnancy progresses, and the baby’s growth and heartbeat monitored. Blood tests usually include haemoglobin, blood group, syphilis and HIV testing with counselling. An ultrasound may be arranged to confirm dates and check the baby’s development.

Supplements and prevention

Iron and folic acid are routinely offered, since anaemia is common in pregnancy and folic acid protects the baby’s developing spine. Tetanus vaccination is offered, and in malaria-risk areas you may be given preventive treatment and a treated mosquito net. Take supplements as prescribed even if you feel well.

Everyday care

• Eat a varied diet with protein, vegetables, fruit and whole grains, and wash produce well.
• Avoid alcohol and tobacco entirely, including second-hand smoke.
• Check with a clinician before taking any medicine or herbal remedy, including ones you used before pregnancy.
• Stay active unless advised otherwise, and rest when you need to.
• Continue antenatal visits even when everything feels fine. Many serious problems have no early symptoms.

Danger signs: get help immediately

• Vaginal bleeding
• Severe or persistent headache, blurred vision, or sudden swelling of the face and hands
• Severe abdominal pain
• Fever
• Reduced or absent baby movements after the stage when you normally feel them
• Fluid leaking from the vagina
• Convulsions or fainting
• Painful or burning urination

Do not wait for your next scheduled appointment for any of these.

Planning for the birth

Agree where you will deliver, how you will get there, who will accompany you, and what you would do if labour starts at night. Keep your antenatal booklet with you. Deliver with a skilled birth attendant: it is the single biggest factor in safety for both mother and baby.

After the birth

Postnatal checks matter for you, not only the baby. They cover bleeding, blood pressure, infection, breastfeeding, mood and contraception. Tell someone if you feel persistently low, anxious or unable to cope, which is common and treatable.