Antenatal care

Antepartum care

Purposes physical and psychic preparation genetic risk identification associated diseases treatment immunization

Basic principles Pregnancy is not a disease
Mental preparation is necessary
Good nutrition
Early detection and treatment of illnesses
Adjustment to physical limitations of pregnancy
Education of the couple about normal and abnormal events
Avoidance of substances harmful to the fetus

Pre-conception care History drug, alcohol, tobacco abuse genetic history (thalassemia, sickle cell) medical diseases (diabetes) surgical interventions
Laboratory screening genetic diseases infectious diseases (hiv) diabetes anemia

Aims of antepartum consultation 1. Diagnosis of ongoing intrauterine pregnancy
2 Gestational age and estimated date of delivery
3 Prognosis of pregnancy evolution and pregnancy outcome improvement
4 Prognosis of delivery outcome and way of delivery
5 Prognosis of puerperium and newborn outcome

The initial visit as early as possible (first 12 weeks) includes complete history physical examination laboratory screening

The prognosis depends on:
I. Father’s health ( history)
II. Mother’s health former diseases
pregnancy-specific diseases
III. External factors: nutrition
social factors (housing, education)
working place and legislation

History character of menstrual cycle, frequency date and character of last menstrual period previous obstetrical history weight condition timing type complications medical history diabetes hypertension cardiovascular diseases surgical history abdominal, uterine cardiac surgery medications used during pregnancy (alcohol, drugs) any problems during this or previous pregnancies familial relationships

Physical examination weight, height, blood pressure heart murmurs, breasts