PREVENTIVE OBSTETRIC

DEFINITION:

Preventive is the term used to prevention or slowing the course of an illness or disease.
Obstetric The branch of medicine that deals with the care of women during pregnancy, childbirth and
recuperative period following delivery is known as obstetric.
Preventive obstetrics is the concept of prevention or early detection of particular health
deviations through routine periodic examinations and screenings.
The concept of preventive obstetrics concerns with the concepts of the health and well-being of the
mother and her baby during the antenatal, intranatal and postnatal period.

AIM: to promote the well- being of mothers and babies and to support sound parenting and stable
families.

GOAL :of the preventive obstetrics is the delivery of a healthy infant by a healthy mother at the end
of a healthy pregnancy

1. Preconceptional Counseling and Care:

2. Folic acid supplementation (4mg a day)
3. Essential Antenatal Care Services:
a. Registration of pregnant women
b. Antenatal visits and antenatal care
c. Immunization against Tetanus
d. Iron and Folic Acid and Vitamin A and D Supplementation
e. Health education / prenatal advice during Pregnancy

Role of health care professional: Part of the role of the health care professionals (usually
fulfilled by the community midwife and general practitioner) caring for the mother is
the provision of information about everyday activities that may or may not be affected
by or have an effect on the pregnancy.
1) Diet during pregnancy
2) Personal Hygiene
3) Rest and Sleep
4) Physical work
5) Exercise
6) Comfortable clothing and shoes
7) Smoking
8) Alcohol
9) Breast Care
10) Drugs
11) Radiation
12) Protections from infections and illnesses
13) Sexual activities
14) Travel
15) Reporting of untowards signs and symptoms
16) Child care
17) Follow up visits
18) Warning Signs

Specific Health Protection