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 (AIHW 2021; DoH 2020). The Australian Pregnancy Care Guidelines (DoH 2020) 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 (DoH 2020).
References
AIHW (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare) 2021. Australia’s mothers and babies. Cat. no. PER 101. Canberra: AIHW. Viewed 30 September 2021
DoH (Australian Government Department of Health) 2020. Clinical Practice Guidelines: Pregnancy Care 2020 Edition. Canberra: Australian Government Department of Health.
WHO (World Health Organization) 2016. WHO recommendations on antenatal care for a positive pregnancy experience. Geneva: WHO.