Antenatal care in the first trimester
Antenatal care is a planned visit between a pregnant woman and a midwife or doctor to assess and improve the wellbeing of the mother and baby throughout pregnancy. Antenatal care is associated with positive maternal and child health outcomes. The likelihood of receiving effective health interventions is increased through attending antenatal care. For more information, see Clinical commentary.
This indicator examines antenatal care visits in the first trimester (before 14 weeks gestational age) and in the first 10 weeks for all women giving birth. It does not include visits where the sole purpose is to confirm the pregnancy.
Key findings
- Around 4 in 5 women (80%) giving birth in 2023 had an antenatal care visit in their first trimester and around 3 in 5 (60%) had an antenatal care visit within the first 10 weeks of pregnancy.
- Around 4 in 5 women (79%) giving birth in the years 2020 to 2023 had an antenatal care visit in the first trimester of pregnancy, an increase from 66% in 2011.
- Around 60% of women giving birth in the years 2020 to 2023 had an antenatal care visit in the first ten weeks of pregnancy, an increase from 38% in 2011.
The proportion of women who had an antenatal care visit in the first trimester of pregnancy:
- was higher for women in their 30s (around 81% in 2023) compared with those younger than 20 (67% in 2023)
- was higher for women living in Major cities (80%), Inner regional (82%), or Outer regional (80%) areas than those living in Remote (68%) or Very remote (64%) areas in 2023
- was lower for women living in areas of most disadvantage (75% in 2023) compared with other areas.
The trend data presented include years for which the COVID-19 pandemic was considered a public health emergency (2020–2022). The pandemic coincided with changes in the birth rate and changes in the experience of pregnancy and childbirth for many women and their families, though due to the complex nature of the pandemic, its impacts on maternal and perinatal outcomes are still unclear. For more information on antenatal care during the COVID-19 pandemic, see Antenatal care in Maternal and perinatal outcomes during the 2020 and 2021 COVID-19 pandemic.
The interactive data visualisation (Figure 5) presents data on antenatal care for all women giving birth in the first 10 weeks of pregnancy and in the first trimester. Use the drop-down menus to view data by selected characteristics and the latest year button to explore data for 2023.
Figure 5: Antenatal care in the first trimester
This data visualisation presents data on women receiving antenatal care in the first trimester. Interactive charts show proportions for the most recent data and over time, for selected demographic and birth characteristics.
Clinical commentary
Antenatal care is a system of regular assessments by a midwife or doctor throughout the course of the pregnancy that provides the opportunity to promote healthy lifestyles, screen for and – if necessary – treat health problems to benefit both mother and baby (WHO 2016). Commencing regular antenatal care in the first trimester (before 14 weeks of gestation) is associated with better maternal health in pregnancy, fewer interventions in late pregnancy and positive child health outcomes (RACGP 2024). The Australian Pregnancy Care Guidelines (ALEC 2025) recommend that a woman has her first antenatal visit within the first 10 weeks of pregnancy.
The first contact with a woman in the antenatal period may be when she attends primary care, usually a general practitioner (GP), to confirm the pregnancy. Women will either start antenatal care at that point or be referred to a maternity care provider or service; for example, a midwife, obstetrician, GP, or Aboriginal health service (ALEC 2025).
Indicator specifications and data
Excel source data tables are available from Data.
For more information, refer to Data specifications and Methods.
ALEC (Australian Living Evidence Collaboration) (2025) Australian Pregnancy Care Guidelines 2025 Version 8.1, Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, Australian Government, accessed 10 September 2025.
RACGP (Royal Australian College of General Practitioners) (2024) ‘Guidelines for preventive activities in general practice, 10th edition’, RACGP, accessed 23 May 2025.
WHO (2016) WHO recommendations on antenatal care for a positive pregnancy experience, WHO, accessed 23 April 2021.