Antenatal care gives our midwives and obstetric team the chance to catch and manage problems (high blood pressure, anaemia, malaria in pregnancy) before they become emergencies for mother or baby. The earlier a pregnancy is booked, the more of that window is available.
The World Health Organization’s antenatal care guideline recommends a minimum of eight contacts across a pregnancy, starting before 12 weeks, with further visits at 20, 26, 30, 34, 36, 38 and 40 weeks. This replaced an older four-visit model after evidence showed that more frequent contact reduces stillbirths and improves how women experience their care. Source: WHO recommendations on antenatal care.
If you are pregnant or think you might be, book your first antenatal visit as soon as possible rather than waiting for a particular trimester. Every pregnancy is different, and your midwife or obstetrician is best placed to advise on the schedule that fits yours.