Antenatal care: what every mother-to-be needs to know

Antenatal care is an important aspect of every woman’s pregnancy. In her latest article, renowned consultant obstetrician and specialist in fetal maternal medicine Dr Makrina Savvidou explains antenatal care in detail.

What is antenatal care?

Antenatal care refers to the care provided to pregnant women in order to improve their health during pregnancy and the health of their baby.

What health professionals can provide antenatal care?

 Doctors and midwives routinely provide antenatal care to women throughout their pregnancy.

Where can I receive antenatal care?

Antenatal care is mainly provided in hospitals. However, sometimes it can be shared with general practitioners and midwives.

What happens during an antenatal appointment?

Antenatal care is made up of several different steps done at regular check-ups. These steps include:

• Checking the mother’s blood pressure and urine
• Measuring the size of her abdomen
• Listening to the baby’s heartbeat
• Providing information on the next steps and addressing any questions or concerns the mother-to-be may have

What are the benefits of antenatal care?

Antenatal care ensures that the mother and baby are healthy, and aims to offer both better health outcomes in the future.

During which stage of pregnancy should I begin antenatal care?

Antenatal care usually begins after 7-8 weeks of pregnancy although an earlier scan will ensure the pregnancy is viable and in the right place. However, if there are any pre-existing medical conditions, advice and care may start even before conception.

Dr Makrina Savvidou is a highly-revered consultant obstetrician and specialist in fetal maternal medicine based in London. If you would like to book an appointment with Dr Savvidou, you can do so today via her Top Doctors profile.