A guide to effective care in pregnancy

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Antenatal care refers to the care that is given to a pregant woman from the time that conception is confirmed until labour.

The aim of antenatal care is to monitor the progress of pregnancy in order to support maternal health and fetal well being.

Also to recognising complications of pregnancy and appropriately reffering women within the multisciplinary team.

A friendly, professional approach will enable the development of partnership between the woman and the midwife. The initial first visit focuses on the exchange of information. This helps health professionals and the women to get know each other and to continuing step by step the path of pregnancy.

The Scedule of care during pregnancy is below:

First appointment 12-13 weeks or late booking

Meeting the midwife for Booking medical history and family history will be discussed. Information and leaflets will apply.

It is necessary to do the first Blood tests(In particular we wil checked.

Full blood count: this is taken to observe the woman's general blood picture.

ABO blood group and Rhesus(Rh) factor: Rhesus negative women or women who have threatend miscarriage, amniocentesis or any other uterine trauma should be given anti_D gammaglobulin.

VDRL TEST(Venereal Disease Research Laboratory)

Early testing will allowed you to be treated in order to prevent infection of the fetus.

HIV antibodies. Routine Screening for detect HIV infection is recommended in pregnancy. It is important to gain informed consent form for any blood tests undertaken.

Rubella Immune Status: This test determined by measuring the rubella antibody. Women who are not immune must be avoid to be with anyone suffering from the disease and maybe wish to discussed termination of pregnancy if they have been exposed.

investigations for other Blood resources Sicle cell disease or Thalassamia.

If a woman has or is a carrier of one of these diseases her partner's blood should be tested.

Hepatitis B routine screening. This test performed to reduce the risk of perinatal transmission and associated morbidity and mortality in the infant.

Blood Tests including sugar lever. This blood test performed during pregnancy in order to investigate if you have any problems with Gestation Diabetis.

16 WEEKS

You Can arrange appoitment with your General Practitioner for a check up.

Check up including heart and lung Function.

20-21 WEEKS:

Midwife appointment. In this appoitment you can discussed blood test results after your routine anomaly ultrasound scan. You will received information about mini GTT test.(blood sugar test

Lucozade drink will supply for the 26 weeks appointment and blood tests will be performed

24 WEEKS:

You will have another appointment with your general practitioner in order to listen the Fetal Heart rate , to estimate your physical well being and to check your blood pressure .

26WEEKS:

Midwife appoinment. Routine procedures will be performed in every midwife's appoinment.

Listening Fetal Heart rate, Physical examinations mother's well being, Blood pressure check.

Also Blood tests including Sugar Level (mini GTT) will performed.

Reminder : is good period to arrange Antenatal birth preparation classes .

30 WEEKS: General Practitioner appointment for routine check.

34 WEEKS: Midwife's appointment. During this visit you will receive information about Vitam K for the baby and how to recogninise signs of labour. Blood test will performed including iron level.

36 WEEKS:Appointment with your midwife. Routine care and checks will be performed. You will have the opportunity to discussed your birth plan or any questions will arise.

38 WEEKS: Appointment with your midwife. Routine care practices.

39WEEKS: Appointment with your General Practitioner for observations and routine care practices.

Reminder: Have you pack your bag to take to hospital?

40WEEKS: Appointment with your midwife. You will received information about induction of labour.

41WEEKS: last appointment with your midwife if you have already not delivery your baby. During this meeting you will received information about the process of induction of labour and your midwife will be book a date for that.

The date of induction you are going with your medical notes and your bags in labour ward. The midwives will monitor the baby, and they are going to estimate your cervix dialation. If your cervix is closed then will give you a prostaglandin gel. After this process you can walk and the next 6 hours the midwives will check if you have any progress or if your contractions starts and you are in real labour.

On the other hand if your cervix is open for instance 2cm and you have no contractions , the midwives will break your waters in order to help you to be in established labour. If NOTHING of that works then the plan is to start intravenous syntocinon in order to start the contractions. During this process it is necessary the continues monitiring of the baby.

We wish you all the best and good luck

Do not hesitate to contact us if any questions or concerns.