Maternal Assessment
History, physical assessment, blood pressure, weight and other measurements appropriate to gestational age and clinical context.
Pregnancy & Maternal Health
Antenatal Care for a Healthy Pregnancy
Antenatal care (ANC) is regular, person-centred care throughout pregnancy. It brings together maternal and fetal assessment, prevention, screening, nutrition and health education, birth preparedness, emotional support and timely referral when additional care is needed.
What antenatal care covers
Comprehensive care throughout pregnancy
ANC is not limited to measuring the pregnancy. It combines assessment, prevention, education, support and referral according to the woman’s needs.
Fetal Assessment
Assessment of fetal wellbeing and growth using appropriate clinical methods and investigations when indicated.
Nutrition & Supplements
Pregnancy nutrition counselling and appropriate micronutrient supplementation according to applicable guidance and individual needs.
Prevention & Screening
Risk assessment, recommended screening, immunization and preventive measures based on pregnancy stage, local guidance and individual risk.
Symptoms & Concerns
Support for common pregnancy symptoms while identifying symptoms that require clinical assessment, investigation or referral.
Education & Counselling
Clear information about pregnancy, self-care, physical activity, emotional wellbeing, birth preparation, newborn care and follow-up.
Risk Identification & Referral
Early recognition of maternal or fetal risk and timely referral to an appropriate healthcare facility or specialist when required.
Continuity & Respectful Care
Person-centred communication that respects dignity, preferences, privacy, informed choice and the woman’s support needs.
WHO routine ANC model
Eight antenatal contacts
WHO recommends a minimum of eight contacts during pregnancy for routine ANC. Individual care may require additional contacts or a different schedule.
Up to 12 weeks
First trimester
First ANC contact
Confirm pregnancy and gestational age, assess maternal health and risk factors, begin appropriate preventive care, discuss nutrition and lifestyle, and plan ongoing care.
20 weeks
Second trimester
Second contact
Continue maternal and fetal assessment, review investigations and preventive care, and address questions or symptoms.
26 weeks
Second trimester
Third contact
Continue assessment, nutrition and health education, review pregnancy progress and identify emerging risks.
30 weeks
Third trimester
Fourth contact
Continue maternal and fetal assessment and strengthen birth preparedness and complication-readiness planning.
34 weeks
Third trimester
Fifth contact
Review maternal wellbeing, fetal growth and pregnancy concerns; reinforce preparation for birth and newborn care.
36 weeks
Third trimester
Sixth contact
Continue assessment and planning for labour, birth, referral needs and postnatal support.
38 weeks
Third trimester
Seventh contact
Assess pregnancy progress, review warning signs and ensure the woman and family know when and where to seek care.
40 weeks
Third trimester
Eighth contact
Review maternal and fetal wellbeing and discuss ongoing management according to gestational age, clinical findings and local protocols.
Why regular contacts matter
Each contact is an opportunity to assess maternal and fetal wellbeing, provide preventive care and counselling, identify concerns early and connect the woman with appropriate care when needed.
Starting pregnancy care
What may be covered at the first ANC contact?
The exact assessment depends on gestational age, health history, symptoms, previous pregnancies and local clinical protocols.
First-contact checklist
- Confirm pregnancy and estimate gestational age using the available clinical history and appropriate dating method.
- Review previous pregnancies, medical and surgical history, medications, allergies and relevant family or social history.
- Assess maternal wellbeing and identify factors that may increase pregnancy risk.
- Check appropriate maternal measurements and arrange investigations according to clinical indication and applicable local guidance.
- Discuss healthy eating, physical activity, substance avoidance and other healthy pregnancy behaviours.
- Review recommended supplements, immunization and preventive measures according to current guidance.
- Discuss warning signs, emergency contact arrangements and where to seek care if concerns develop.
- Create an individualized follow-up plan and document findings clearly.
A woman-centred approach
Antenatal care should make space for questions, preferences, emotional wellbeing, privacy and practical needs. Women should receive understandable information and be supported to participate in decisions about their care.
Where a pregnancy is higher risk or a finding is outside the provider’s scope of practice, timely consultation or referral is an important part of safe care.
Prepare, ask, understand
Bring previous records, medication information and your questions to your appointment.
Pregnancy health education
Healthy pregnancy habits
Education is a core part of ANC. Advice should be individualized according to pregnancy status, medical conditions, local recommendations and clinical needs.
Practical priorities
- Attend antenatal contacts early and continue regular care throughout pregnancy.
- Eat a varied, balanced diet and follow individualized nutrition advice.
- Take prescribed or recommended pregnancy supplements as directed by a qualified healthcare professional.
- Stay physically active when medically appropriate and follow advice for any pregnancy-specific restrictions.
- Avoid tobacco, alcohol and non-prescribed drugs; discuss any substance use confidentially with your healthcare provider.
- Keep vaccinations and screening up to date according to local recommendations.
- Ask questions and discuss emotional wellbeing, safety, support and practical barriers to care.
- Know the warning signs that require urgent medical assessment.
Nutrition and prevention
WHO ANC guidance includes counselling on healthy eating and physical activity, as well as appropriate iron and folic acid supplementation and preventive measures. Supplementation should follow the current recommendation used by the responsible healthcare service and the woman’s individual clinical needs.
Screening, laboratory testing, ultrasound, vaccination and other preventive interventions should be performed or arranged according to gestational age, clinical indication and applicable national or local guidance.
Know when to seek help
Pregnancy warning signs
Some symptoms during pregnancy require prompt clinical assessment. Do not wait for the next routine appointment if you are seriously concerned.
Vaginal bleeding
Bleeding during pregnancy should be assessed promptly, especially if heavy, painful or associated with dizziness or weakness.
Severe headache or visual symptoms
Severe or persistent headache, visual disturbance or other concerning symptoms may require urgent assessment.
Severe abdominal pain
Severe or persistent abdominal pain, particularly with other concerning symptoms, needs prompt medical evaluation.
Fever or serious illness
Fever or feeling acutely unwell during pregnancy warrants clinical assessment.
Fluid leakage
A sudden gush or continuous leakage of fluid from the vagina may indicate rupture of membranes and should be assessed.
Reduced fetal movement
A noticeable reduction or change in fetal movement after movements have become established should be assessed promptly.
Urgent care:
If symptoms are severe, rapidly worsening, or you feel that you or your baby may
be in danger, seek urgent medical care or contact your local emergency service.
This website cannot assess an emergency remotely.
Preparing for birth
Birth preparedness and complication readiness
ANC provides an opportunity to discuss where to give birth, transport, support persons, finances and what to do if urgent care or referral becomes necessary.
Place of birth
Know the planned place of birth and how to reach it, including an alternative plan when appropriate.
Transport plan
Plan reliable transport and know how to access urgent referral if circumstances change.
Support system
Identify a trusted support person and discuss practical and emotional support needs.
Emergency contacts
Keep important healthcare and emergency contact information accessible.
For midwifery students & educators
Antenatal care as a foundation of midwifery practice
Antenatal care provides a structured opportunity to develop clinical assessment, communication, health education, preventive care, documentation, risk recognition and referral skills.
Midwife-led continuity of care is recommended by WHO in settings with well-functioning midwifery programmes, subject to local systems, competence and scope of practice.
Learning themes
- Pregnancy history and systematic assessment
- Maternal and fetal wellbeing assessment
- Nutrition, supplementation and preventive care
- Screening, documentation and interpretation of findings
- Communication, counselling and shared decision-making
- Risk recognition, escalation and referral
- Birth preparedness and respectful maternity care
- Continuity across antenatal, intrapartum and postnatal care
Frequently asked questions
Antenatal care FAQs
General educational information. Individual pregnancy care should be personalized by a qualified healthcare professional.
What is antenatal care?
Antenatal care (ANC) is care provided during pregnancy by qualified health professionals. It includes health promotion, maternal and fetal assessment, screening and prevention, counselling, preparation for birth and timely management or referral when concerns are identified.
When should antenatal care start?
WHO recommends the first antenatal contact in the first trimester, up to 12 weeks of pregnancy. Starting early provides an opportunity to establish gestational age, assess health and risk factors, begin preventive care and plan follow-up.
How many antenatal contacts are recommended?
WHO recommends a minimum of eight contacts for routine antenatal care, scheduled at up to 12 weeks, 20, 26, 30, 34, 36, 38 and 40 weeks. The exact care plan may need additional or differently timed contacts depending on individual circumstances and clinical findings.
What happens during an antenatal checkup?
The content varies by gestational age and individual needs. It can include maternal and fetal assessment, review of symptoms and medical history, recommended screening and investigations, nutrition and health counselling, preventive care, birth preparedness and referral when indicated.
Is antenatal care only necessary when there are symptoms?
No. Antenatal care is preventive as well as responsive. Regular contacts can identify risk factors or complications before symptoms become severe and provide opportunities for education, screening, prevention and support.
Can a midwife provide antenatal care?
Qualified midwives can provide appropriate antenatal care within their education, competence, legal scope of practice and local health-system arrangements. Conditions outside the midwife’s scope or requiring specialist assessment should be referred promptly.
What is respectful antenatal care?
Respectful antenatal care means treating the woman with dignity, privacy and courtesy; communicating clearly; involving her in decisions; respecting informed preferences; and providing care without discrimination or abuse.
Guideline references
Evidence-informed sources
This page is educational and uses established antenatal care guidance as a framework.
World Health Organization
WHO recommendations on antenatal care for a positive pregnancy experience.
WHO ANC guideline
WHO ANC guideline
WHO — Healthy Pregnancy
Overview of antenatal care and the recommended minimum of eight contacts.
WHO healthy pregnancy information
WHO healthy pregnancy information
Medical information disclaimer:
The information on this page is for general health education and does not replace
individualized examination, diagnosis or treatment. Pregnancy care should be
provided by appropriately qualified healthcare professionals within applicable
professional scope, local protocols and health-system arrangements. Recommendations
can change as guidelines are updated. Seek urgent medical care for severe or
concerning symptoms.
Learn more about pregnancy & midwifery care
Explore The Vatsalyam for maternal health education, midwifery resources and practical health tools.