Antenatal care is a system of regular medical check-ups throughout the course of pregnancy, to monitor and enhance the safety and wellbeing of both mother and child.
There is a strong relationship between regular antenatal care and positive child health outcomes. Women who do not receive antenatal care are more likely to have adverse pregnancy outcomes, including preterm birth, post-partum haemorrhage, babies with low birth weight and perinatal death.
The National Indigenous Reform Agreement sets a benchmark of at least five antenatal visits during pregnancy.
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