Antenatal care or mother care is the care you get from health professionals during your pregnancy. You'll be offered appointments with a doctor who specialises in pregnancy and birth. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommended to achieve a minimum of eight ANC visits.
According to WHO, the standard quality of ANC is comprised of three components
- Assessment, that is history taking, physical examination and laboratory tests
- Detecting and managing complications during pregnancy
- Health promotion, that includes advice on nutrition, planning the birth, information regarding pregnancy, subsequent contraception and breastfeeding
Questions you might be asked
The midwife or doctor might ask about:
- The date of the first day of your last period
- Your health, if you have any chronic diseases
- Any previous illnesses and operations you have had
- Any previous pregnancies and miscarriages
- The ethnic origins of you and your partner to find out whether your baby may be at risk of certain inherited conditions
- Whether your family has a history of preeclampsia
- How you're feeling and whether you have been depressed
Your antenatal appointments are an opportunity to tell your doctor if you're in a vulnerable situation or if you need extra support
Examinations and laboratory tests
If you’re pregnant in Georgia you will be offered:
- 2 pregnancy ultrasound screening scans at 11 to 14 weeks and 19-20 weeks. For now we can’t offer you this type of ultrasound in Chaika Tbilisi, but we can recommend the clinic and ultrasound doctor we trust
- Antenatal screening test to find out the chance of your baby having certain conditions, such as Down's syndrome. Which test you need to take depends on your risk factors and medical history. For now we can’t offer you this type of ultrasound in Chaika Tbilisi, but we can recommend the laboratory we trust
- Blood tests to check for: complete blood test, biochemical blood test, coagulogram, test of blood type and Rh factor, HIV Combo, Syphilis, HBsAg, Anti-HCV, TSH
- Urine test to check for: complete urine test and urine culture test
- Test for sexually transmitted infections in the beginning of the pregnancy
- Glucose screening test between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy
- Group B Streptococcus (GBS) rectovaginal culture usually between weeks 35 and 37 weeks of pregnancy
- CTG after 32 weeks of pregnancy once in every 2 weeks until the childbirth
The important part of mother care is preparing for a Safe Delivery. Antenatal care also involves creating a birth plan. This plan outlines preferences for labor and delivery, such as the choice of birthing location, pain management options, and who will be present during delivery. It ensures that the delivery process aligns with the mother’s wishes and needs.
In conclusion, antenatal care is an essential component of a healthy and successful pregnancy journey
It provides a wide range of benefits, including early detection and management of complications, monitoring fetal development, nutritional guidance, education and counseling, emotional support, and the opportunity to build a strong rapport with healthcare providers. Antenatal care also plays a pivotal role in reducing maternal and neonatal mortality rates, ensuring a safer childbirth experience.
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