Common Misconceptions about Antenatal Care

1. Registration for Antenatal care should be done after 5 months 

• Antenatal is a special care given to pregnant women, and it has different focus at each stage of pregnancy. Registration for Antenatal should be done immediately a lady misses her period. 

2. Antenatal care is only for women who haven't given birth before 

• Antenatal care is beneficial and necessary for all pregnant women irrespective of the number of children you've delivered. 

3. My previous pregnancy was hitch free, do I need to Attend Antenatal this time?

• Each pregnancy is actually a unique experience that comes with it own unique challenges. 

4. Antenatal clinics are always very stressful. 

• Yes in most big Centres, antenatal clinic can be a bit stressful to the patient. But considering the benefits of Antenatal care, it's a worthy stress. Standard Antenatal care consist of monthly visits up to 28 weeks, twice monthly from 28weeks to 36weeks and weekly visit till delivery date. 

In conclusion, early registration and compliance with your clinic appointments have been shown to reduce significantly maternal and perinatal mortality. 

Antenatal care - UNICEF DATA