Antenatal care
Antenatal Care
Antenatal care (pronunciation: an-tee-nay-tal care) is a type of preventive healthcare with the goal of providing regular check-ups that allow doctors or midwives to treat and prevent potential health problems throughout the course of the pregnancy while promoting healthy lifestyles that benefit both mother and child.
Etymology
The term "antenatal" comes from the Latin words "ante," meaning "before," and "natal," meaning "birth." Thus, antenatal care refers to the care that is provided before birth.
Related Terms
- Prenatal care: This is another term for antenatal care, commonly used in the United States. It refers to the medical and nursing care recommended for women during pregnancy.
- Postnatal care: This is the care given to the mother and her newborn baby immediately after the birth and for the first six weeks of life.
- Obstetrics: This is the field of study concentrated on pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period.
- Midwifery: This is the health science and health profession that deals with pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period (including care of the newborn), besides sexual and reproductive health of women throughout their lives.
Importance of Antenatal Care
Antenatal care is important as it helps to monitor the health of the pregnant woman and the developing fetus, to monitor and manage the physical changes that occur during pregnancy, and to prepare for the birth. It also includes education and counseling about the pregnancy, childbirth, and parenthood.
Components of Antenatal Care
Antenatal care includes several components, such as regular check-ups, screening tests, dietary advice, exercise advice, and preparation for labor and birth. It may also include advice on smoking cessation, alcohol and drug use, and the use of medications and supplements during pregnancy.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Antenatal care
- Wikipedia's article - Antenatal care
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