Prenatal or antenatal care alludes to the medical and nursing care suggested to women in which the baby develops from conception into a fetus, a period of 270 to 280 days. The prenatal period begins when conception is considered first and continues until birth.
This care refers to the collection of medical, nutritional, obstetrical as well as physical assessments of the mother and fetus during the prenatal period.
As per Government of India norms, Every pregnant woman should make at least four visits to ANC or local Anganwadi center.
Suggested schedules for prenatal visits:
First visit: when pregnancy is suspected.
Second visit: Between 14 and 26 weeks of pregnancy.
Third visit: Between 28 and 34 weeks of pregnancy.
Fourth visit: Before Delivery.
Prenatal Diagnosis:-
Physical inspection of pregnant women's reproductive organs.
Urine, Blood Tests of women.
Checking Blood pressure at every visit.
Measurement of height and weight of pregnant women.
Anamnesis of pregnant women.
Baby's heart-rate monitoring.
Ultra-sound tests.
Discussion with the nurse.
Prenatal care Goals:-
Reduction in pregnancy impediments.
Reduction in infant impermanence.
Healthy newborn.
Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan:-
The Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan has been launched by (MoHFW), Government of India. It aims to provide assured, comprehensive, and quality antenatal care, free of cost, universally to all pregnant women in the country, to register enhancement of institutional deliveries, and to reduce maternal and infant mortality.
The program consists of the following key components:
Free Antenatal Care for all pregnant women.
SMS based tracking of pregnant women to monitor their monthly visits to the accredited institutions/maternity homes under the program.
Provision of Rs. 6000/- (Rupees Six Thousand only) for which she will be entitled to take any one of the following three services in an accredited institution.