Pregnancy is the most beautiful thing that a woman can experience and at the same time it can be a challenging experience that is full of uncertainty. When I was introduced to the significance of antenatal care, I understood it is not about going to the hospital but about taking care of both the baby and the mother. Any mother has the right to have a healthy and safe pregnancy, and one of the best ways to achieve this is through antenatal care.
Antenatal care means the care and attention given to the pregnant woman by the health experts. Many women particularly in Nigeria have been caught by me thinking that there is no harm in not attending antenatal visits and this is dangerous. Routine check ups are used to identify issues before they pose a threat.
Doctors or nurses also test the blood pressure, weight and urine of the mother during such visits. They check the development and the heartbeat of the baby also. An example of such conditions that are highly dangerous when not detected early is high blood pressure or gestational diabetes. Antenatal care enables addressing these issues early enough to ensure the mother and baby stay safe.
As an individual, I also feel that education is one of the best things in antenatal care. There have been times when health workers have given me information on how to eat, exercise, and rest throughout the pregnancy. They also talk about bad habits such as smoking, drinking, and taking medicines without counsel.
What I learned was that proper food intake with balanced meals, adequate water consumption and ample rest can really contribute to the well-being of the baby. Hygiene and avoidance of infections is also taught to the mother and is extremely vital in a healthy pregnancy.
Antenatal care also has the advantage of giving mothers crucial vaccines and supplements. During my first pregnancy, I had taken iron pills and folic acid. Iron helps prevent anemia, folic acid helps prevent birth defects and tetanus vaccines help mothers and babies avoid infections. Such basic measures can save lives. After consulting health professionals and taking these medicines at the right time makes pregnancy and delivery safer.
The other reason I consider antenatal care valuable is because it prepares the mothers to labor and give birth. Health workers discuss the labor signs and course of action in case of an emergency. They also instruct the mothers on where they should deliver.
Personally, I was much calmer knowing that I was ready and I had a plan. Women taking antenatal care tend to deliver in a hospital or a clinic where medical practitioners are available to assist in case of any complication. This keeps maternal and infant deaths to a minimum.
Antenatal care does not only focus on physical wellbeing, but promotes mental and emotional health. Pregnancy is stressing, at least to new mothers, as I used to be. Visits are a chance to discuss concerns, raise questions, and be assured by health workers.
This emotional support breeds confidence and lessens anxiety in pregnancy. I was able to learn that knowing the development of my body and that of the baby helped me feel more connected to my child and more prepared to be a mother.
Lastly, neonatal care facilitates the long-term health of the mother and baby. It assists mothers to make healthy lifestyle changes that may persist even after birth. As an example, breastfeeding, hygiene behavior, and postnatal care tips are recommended to help the baby be well-built and healthy. Personally, I have seen babies born to mothers with regular antenatal care have lesser chances of being born below weight or getting infected and start their life well.
Finally, antenatal care is highly crucial to any pregnant woman. Personally, I can testify that it guarantees the safety and wellbeing of both the mother and the baby. It prevents issues early on, educates about valuable health practices, offers vaccines and supplements, trains mothers to deliver, promotes mental health, and fosters long-term health.
All mothers are expected to receive regular antenatal care and adhere to the health expert recommendations. By so doing, maternal and infant mortality can be lowered and give babies a healthy start in life.