Delayed First Antenatal Visit among Pregnant Women and Effect on Their Newborn Babies

Abstract

Aim: To detect the reasons of delayed first antenatal visit among pregnant women and effect on their newborn Study design; cross sectional study. Place and duration of study: This study was conducted in two years at Aziz Bhatti Shaheed Teaching Hospital Gujrat and Naseem Private Hospital Gujrat. Methods: Total 156 pregnant women were selected for the study. All pregnant women came for first antenatal visit after 20 weeks of gestation. All the pregnant women were examined properly after history. During history and examination problems of pregnancy were also detected like diabetes mellitus, hypertension, anemia, intrauterine growth retardation, anomalous babies, molar pregnancy etc. Required investigations were done after history and examination. Whenever required, pregnant women were admitted and immediately treatment was started. Results: 156 pregnant women were included in the study. Forty two (26.92 %) pregnant women were 16-25 years old, 90 (57.69%) were 26-35 years old, and 24 (15.38%) were from 36-45 years old age group. Most of the women were belonging to low socioeconomic status 138(88.46%) and only 18 (11.53%) women were from high socioeconomic status group Most of the women 98(62.82%) visited first time for checkup during 21-26 weeks of gestation and 58 (37.17%) entered in hospital for first antenatal visit in 27-36 weeks of gestation. Regarding baby outcome , only one (1.02%) baby was anomalous. Women presenting first time in 21-26 weeks of gestation showed better results. 86 ( 87.75%) newborns were delivered full term , 08 (8.16%) were preterm and 03 (3.06%) were IUGR. on other hand women presenting very late during 27-36 weeks gestation delivered 38 (65.51%) full term, 12(20.68%) preterm and 8(13.79%) IUGR babies. Conclusions: By empowerment of women, proper family planning, involving husbands and parents in pregnancy care, female education, increasing health facilities and availability of proper transport facilities may decrease the high chances of delayed antenatal care in Pakistan