What next – After your first antenatal clinic?

What happens after that first antenatal clinic visit? How many more times should you attend clinic and when?

After the first antenatal clinic

Now that some basic tests and investigations have been carried out to determine the state of your pregnancy, it is upon you to heed your care providers’ advice and to monitor the progress of your pregnancy closely. Ensure that you understand all the key parameters that determine whether you are healthy, and what you need to do in case any problems arise.

During pregnancy, remember that you should not take just any medication, or even undergo certain types of operations. Preventing disease is thus a cardinal rule, and definitely much easier and better than cure. Therefore ensure that you attend all subsequent clinics faithfully.

The number of clinics you attend will depend on your doctor’s advice. The World Health Organisation, recommends a minimum of at least four visits during your pregnancy.

Second antenatal visit

The second visit should be within week 16 to week 26. This is a follow-up visit. You will continue getting advice on nutrition and the baby’s growth and position will be examined. From week 20, the baby’s heart rate can be heard using a special device called a foetoscope. In malaria-endemic areas, you will also get your first dose of antimalarial medication, to protect you and your child from this deadly but preventable disease. Not all drugs are safe for you to use during pregnancy, so only take medication prescribed by your care provider.

Third antenatal visit

The third visit falls within 26 to 34 weeks. You will be routinely screened and physically examined.

Fourth antenatal visit

From week 34 you will be required to attend clinic every two weeks, and weekly after week 38 until you deliver. This weekly monitoring is essential. At this time, you may be tired and feeling you have had enough of the pregnancy. Do not miss any scheduled visit. If you experience any abnormalities even before your next visit, do not hesitate to visit your antenatal clinic immediately for consultation.

You may deliver on your expected date of delivery (EDD), or any time between two weeks before or after this date. Remember that the EDD is an estimation of your delivery date, and you will not necessarily deliver on that specific day. It is normal to deliver as early as two weeks before, or as late as two weeks after your EDD.

These general recommendations do vary in detail, from one institution to another- thus some hospitals may offer additional aspects of care, which may not be available in other settings.

END: PG 05/09