antenatal care

Antenatal Care

Motherhood Should Be A Beautiful Journey

Quality antenatal care is key pillar to a healthy mother and baby. Getting the right professional attention, continuous follow up during pregnancy and safe delivery by a competent health care worker is every mother’s wish. At Ponea Health we are dedicated to ensure you get that just.  

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Antenatal Care

Motherhood Should Be A Beautiful Journey

Quality antenatal care is key pillar to a healthy mother and baby. Getting the right professional attention, continuous follow up during pregnancy and safe delivery by a competent health care worker is every mother’s wish. At Ponea Health we are dedicated to ensure you get that just.  

More Details

  • What is Antenatal care?  

    This is the overall care of a pregnant mother from conception to delivery. This includes initial and follow up clinics by a general practitioner or a gynecologist to check on the mother and baby, supplements, ultrasounds as well as delivery of the baby

  • Learn More About Antenatal Care

    What is a Focused Antenatal care? 

    This consists of a minimum of 4 comprehensive personalized Antenatal visits. Each visit has specific focused activities for assessment, treatment, prevention and health promotion of a pregnant mother and unborn child. However, a monthly antenatal visit is recommended for pregnant women. 

    What doctors are involved in antenatal care? 

    Antenatal care may be offered by general practitioners or Obstetrician/Gynecologist who are specialists that deal with pregnancy and women’s reproductive health. It is recommended to be followed up consistently by a selected doctor or clinic for optimal monitoring of the pregnancy. 

    How is pregnancy monitored in Antenatal clinic? 

    Routine monitoring of pregnancy is done to ensure optimal mother and fetal well being. The well being of the unborn child is assessed through listening to the fetal heart rate in clinic. The doctor usually checks for abnormalities in the fetal heart rate such as a slow heart rate, fast heart rate or irregular heart that may indicate a problem with the unborn baby. 

     A physical examination to determine the age of pregnancy and position of the baby is also a standard procedure. An ultrasound may be requested to check for maturity of pregnancy and detect any abnormalities on the baby. An antenatal booklet is usually issued to track progress of all visits done. 

    What are the benefits of antenatal care? 

    • Continuous monitoring of mother and fetal well being
    • Antenatal care helps mothers have a clear delivery plan 
    • Antenatal care enables early detection of potential pregnancy complications 
    • Early risk factor assessment noted in previous pregnancies 
    • Early screening of health conditions that can affect the mother and fetus 
    • Antenatal care offers general health education to the parents 

    What should I expect in the first antenatal clinic? 

    • Brief questions from the doctor to determine the age of the pregnancy and your general well being
    • A physical examination to assess your general well being
    • A physical examination to evaluate the pregnancy. This is done by listening to the fetal heartbeat and additional maneuvers to determine the age and position of the baby. 
    • A series of routine tests to check hemoglobin levels as well as screen for various infections in blood and urine.
    • An antenatal booklet to track all subsequent visits and schedule for the next visit. 
    • Folic and iron supplements will be issued as standard medications. Other medications may be given depending on existing symptoms such as early morning nausea and vomiting 
    • Counseling on danger signs for both mother and baby 

    What should I expect in follow up antenatal clinics? 

    • Brief questions from the doctor regarding the baby and overall well being of the mother 
    • Physical assessment of the mother and pregnancy 
    • Laboratory tests and ultrasound may be requested depending on doctors’ findings 
    • A refill of folic acid and iron supplements 
    • A delivery and emergency preparedness plan

    What are the danger signs to look out for during pregnancy? 

    Expectant mothers are advised to watch out for dangers signs and seek urgent medical attention as they indicate a threat to the mother or its unborn child. These include:

    • Bleeding from the vagina 
    • Severe lower abdominal pains 
    • Severe headaches, visual blurring and convulsions 
    • Generalized body swelling  
    • Reduced fetal movements or inability to perceive fetal movements 
    • Drainage of amniotic fluid. 
    • Ever, excessive vomiting 
    • General body weakness 
    • Fast breathing

  • What Laboratory Tests Are Carried Out During An Antenatal Clinic ?

    • Several antenatal tests are recommended for pregnant mothers as part of routine antenatal care profile to assess the well-being of the mother. These include;
    • Complete Blood Count to check for infections and hemoglobin levels 
    • HIV/AIDs Screening 
    • Syphilis Screening 
    • Blood grouping and Rhesus factor 
    • Urinalysis to screen for urinary tract infection 
    • Random blood sugar to check for diabetes 
    • Other tests include; Hepatitis B screening and malaria test 

  • Are there any vaccines recommended in pregnancy?

    Yes. The tetanus toxoid vaccine shot is usually given in 2 doses to enhance the immunity of the mother and the baby. The vaccine jabs are given at least 4 weeks apart and are usually administered on the upper arm during the second trimester.

  • How many ultrasound scans are recommended during pregnancy?

    It is recommended to have an ultrasound scan in each of the three trimesters of pregnancy. However, your doctor could recommend additional scans where necessary. Ultrasounds are done to determine the age of the pregnancy, check for any abnormalities in the baby or placenta, and to determine the weight and position of the baby.

  • What is in the Ponea Antenatal Care Package?

    The antenatal package consists of a specialist consultation with a gynaecologist and all antenatal laboratory tests; Complete Blood, HIV/AIDs Screening, Syphilis Screening, Blood grouping and Rhesus factor, Urinalysis, random blood sugar check and Hepatitis B screening.Click here to book this package.

  • Can I access a delivery package?

    Yes. Have your pregnancy followed up and schedule your baby’s delivery by one of our gynecologists. You can easily book your method of delivery as recommended by your doctor be it a normal delivery or a cesarean section. 

  • I had a miscarriage. What next?

    Miscarriages can be a painful and traumatizing experience for any expectant mother. They can be as a result of a combination of several factors such as; abnormalities on the fetus, diseases, blood group incompatibility, trauma or conditions affecting the mother including an incompetent cervix or diseases such as diabetes and hypertension 

    It is important to talk to a gynaecologist if you have had a previous miscarriage for assessment and professional guidance before trying to conceive. Pregnant mothers with a history of previous miscarriage are advised to consult a doctor urgently when they notice danger signs such as; 

    • Severe lower abdominal pain before due date 
    • Vaginal bleeding 
    • Drainage of fluid (liquor) from the vagina 
    • Reduced movements of the fetus

  • I think I have infertility issues. How can I be assisted?

    A couple is considered infertile after being unable to conceive for at least one year of regular unprotected intercourse. Infertility may be caused by abnormalities of the reproductive system of the man, woman or both. 

    For women hormonal imbalance, irregular cycles, uterine abnormalities such as fibroids, ovarian cysts and blocked tubes may contribute to infertility. On the other hand, men with low sperm count or abnormal sperm may have difficulty fathering a child.A gynaecologist checkup is advisable for couples with infertility for evaluation and treatment.

  • What treatment options are available for infertility?

    It is important to consult a gynecologist as a couple for evaluation if you have infertility. The gynaecologist will ask a few questions, perform a physical examination and may recommend some tests including; 

    The treatment options available will be recommended by the doctor depending on the cause of the infertility. This may include pills for hormonal imbalance, surgery to remove fibroids or cysts, medication to induce ovulation or invitro fertilization treatment (IVF) 

Frequenty Asked Questions

  • What is the Ponea Health Antenatal Care experience?

    The Ponea Health E-commerce platform offers a one-stop point for comprehensive Antenatal care. Book a tele-consult with a certified and vetted general doctor or obstetrician/Gynecologist from the comfort of your home to accompany you throughout your pregnancy. The platform allows you to select a facility visit to an obstetricians/gynecologist for initial and follow up visits as well get your antenatal tests and ultrasounds done by reputable vetted center. In addition, get comprehensive antenatal package tailored to meet all your antenatal needs.

  • What is Ponea Health Price comparison?

    Ponea health is an aggregator of various health services and providers that work in tandem to guarantee holistic patient care. Through Ponea Health e commerce platform, you are able to compare and array of vetted providers such as doctors, laboratories and imaging centers offering similar services at different price points and locations. This allows you to select one within your budget and convenience in terms of location. 

  • Do I have to visit a hospital to get my lab samples taken?

    Through the Ponea Health mobile phlebotomy services, you can get your samples conveniently collected by a vetted professional at the comfort of your home, office, or hotel . The short turnaround times for sample processing and dispatch of results to both yourself and the doctor guarantees prompt diagnosis and treatment. 

  • How do I get my medications?

    Ponea Health e-pharmacy platform is a 24-hour service that is dedicated to delivering medication promptly and conveniently to your home or preferred pick-up point. Through the upload prescription functionality, you can submit your prescription and get your medication delivered right to your doorstep. 

  • What do the ratings on my doctor mean?

    Doctors on the Ponea Health e-commerce platform are rated based on a combination of their qualifications, continuous professional advancement and overall patient satisfaction. This guarantees you get the highest attainable level of care. 

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