Aims of antenatal monitoring

– Screening for and management of pathologies: hypertension, anaemia, malaria, syphilis, urinary tract infection, HIV infection, malnutrition, vitamin and micronutrient deficiencies, etc.

– Screening for and management of obstetric complications: uterine scar, abnormal presentation, premature rupture of membranes, multiple pregnancy, abnormal bleeding (metrorrhagia), etc.

– Routine prevention of maternal and neonatal tetanus, anaemia, mother-to-child HIV transmission, malaria in endemic areas, etc.

– Devising a birth plan; counselling; preparation for the birth.

Timing of antenatal consultations

Four antenatal consultations are recommended for uncomplicated pregnancies.
If the woman does not come in until the sixth month or later, try to have at least 2 consultations before the birth.