MIDWIFERY I (NORMAL PREGNANCY & ANTENATAL CARE)
ANTENATAL CARE: ROLES OF A NURSE
1. INTRODUCTION
Antenatal Care (ANC) refers to the comprehensive health supervision, education,
and medical care provided to a pregnant woman from conception until the onset of
labour. The primary goal of ANC is to ensure the best possible health outcomes for
both the mother and the unborn child. Nurses play a central role in the delivery of
antenatal care through health promotion, disease prevention, early detection of
complications, and preparation of the woman and family for childbirth and
parenthood.
,2. DEFINITION OF ANTENATAL CARE
Antenatal care is the systematic supervision of a woman during pregnancy to
monitor the progress of pregnancy, identify deviations from normal, and provide
timely interventions.
3. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF ANTENATAL CARE
3.1 Aims
To ensure the birth of a healthy baby to a healthy mother
To detect and manage pregnancy-related complications early
To prepare the mother physically and psychologically for labour, delivery,
and parenthood
3.2 Objectives
Promote maternal and fetal wellbeing
Prevent maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality
Provide health education and counseling
Identify high-risk pregnancies
Encourage skilled birth attendance
, 4. PRINCIPLES OF ANTENATAL CARE
Early booking (preferably in the first trimester)
Regular and scheduled ANC visits
Holistic care (physical, psychological, social, and spiritual)
Client-centered and respectful maternity care
Continuity of care
5. ANTENATAL VISITS SCHEDULE
According to WHO recommendations:
First visit: Before 12 weeks
Second visit: 20 weeks
Third visit: 26 weeks
Fourth visit: 30 weeks
Fifth visit: 34 weeks
Sixth visit: 36 weeks
Seventh visit: 38 weeks
Eighth visit: 40 weeks
ANTENATAL CARE: ROLES OF A NURSE
1. INTRODUCTION
Antenatal Care (ANC) refers to the comprehensive health supervision, education,
and medical care provided to a pregnant woman from conception until the onset of
labour. The primary goal of ANC is to ensure the best possible health outcomes for
both the mother and the unborn child. Nurses play a central role in the delivery of
antenatal care through health promotion, disease prevention, early detection of
complications, and preparation of the woman and family for childbirth and
parenthood.
,2. DEFINITION OF ANTENATAL CARE
Antenatal care is the systematic supervision of a woman during pregnancy to
monitor the progress of pregnancy, identify deviations from normal, and provide
timely interventions.
3. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF ANTENATAL CARE
3.1 Aims
To ensure the birth of a healthy baby to a healthy mother
To detect and manage pregnancy-related complications early
To prepare the mother physically and psychologically for labour, delivery,
and parenthood
3.2 Objectives
Promote maternal and fetal wellbeing
Prevent maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality
Provide health education and counseling
Identify high-risk pregnancies
Encourage skilled birth attendance
, 4. PRINCIPLES OF ANTENATAL CARE
Early booking (preferably in the first trimester)
Regular and scheduled ANC visits
Holistic care (physical, psychological, social, and spiritual)
Client-centered and respectful maternity care
Continuity of care
5. ANTENATAL VISITS SCHEDULE
According to WHO recommendations:
First visit: Before 12 weeks
Second visit: 20 weeks
Third visit: 26 weeks
Fourth visit: 30 weeks
Fifth visit: 34 weeks
Sixth visit: 36 weeks
Seventh visit: 38 weeks
Eighth visit: 40 weeks
