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antenatal

Antenatal care refers to the health care provided to a pregnant person from confirmation of pregnancy until the onset of labor. Its purpose is to monitor fetal development, protect the health of the parent, identify and manage risk factors, and provide education and support for a healthy pregnancy and preparation for birth.

Antenatal care typically involves regular medical assessments, screening tests, nutrition and lifestyle counseling, vaccines when indicated,

Key components include tracking maternal health indicators (blood pressure, weight, urine protein), fetal growth and heart

The care plan addresses risk factors (age, prior obstetric history, chronic conditions, multiple pregnancy), and high-risk

Terminology: "antenatal" is commonly used in British English; "prenatal" is widely used in American English; the

and
planning
for
birth
and
postnatal
care.
It
is
tailored
to
the
individual
and
may
involve
obstetricians,
midwives,
general
practitioners,
and
other
healthcare
professionals.
rate,
screening
for
infections
and
genetic
conditions,
ultrasound
imaging,
and
laboratory
tests
such
as
blood
counts
and
blood
type,
antibody
status,
glucose
tolerance
when
indicated,
and
infectious
disease
screening.
pregnancies
receive
closer
monitoring.
In
most
countries
the
frequency
and
content
of
visits
follow
national
guidelines,
commonly
increasing
in
frequency
in
the
third
trimester.
two
terms
describe
the
same
period
of
pregnancy
care.