Antenatal care is not a formality before delivery. It is a series of checks for the specific things that kill women and babies in Cameroon, most of which are silent until they are an emergency. WHO recommends at least eight contacts through a pregnancy.
What is being checked, and why
- Blood pressure and urine. Looking for pre-eclampsia, which causes no symptoms until it causes a fit. This alone justifies every visit.
- Blood level. Anaemia in pregnancy is common here and is a major cause of death from bleeding at delivery. It is treated with iron and folic acid.
- HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B. All three can be passed to the baby, and all three are preventable if known.
- Malaria prevention. The preventive doses and a treated net.
- Tetanus vaccination. Which protects the newborn as well as the mother.
- The baby’s growth and position, and the heartbeat.
- Planning the delivery: where, how you will get there, who comes, and what money is set aside.
Go to the first visit early
As soon as you think you are pregnant, ideally in the first three months. Several of the things above only help if they are found early, and the malaria and iron prevention work by being taken throughout.
Go immediately, at any time, if
- Bleeding from the vagina.
- Severe headache, blurred vision, or swelling of the face and hands.
- A fit or convulsion.
- Severe stomach pain.
- Fever.
- The baby has stopped moving, or is moving much less.
- Water breaking before term.
- Difficulty breathing, or severe tiredness with very pale palms.
The birth plan is part of the care
- Decide the facility now, not in labour.
- Agree the transport, and a backup for the night.
- Set the money aside in advance, including for an emergency caesarean.
- Name who will go with you and who will care for the other children.
- Know two people who could give blood if needed.
Bring these to every visit
The antenatal card, any medicines you take, and any question you have written down. The card is the record; keep it safe and bring it to the delivery.
