ANTENATAL CARE Antenatal care is the care you get from health professionals during your pregnancy also known as pregnancy care or maternity care. Antenatal appointments will allow your midwife and healthcare team to help both you and your baby stay healthy. You should start your antenatal care as soon as possible once you know you're pregnant. Its purpose is to provide optimal condition for the mother and her growing baby to achieve the best possible pregnancy outcome. Even if your pregnancy is going well and you’re feeling well, it’s important for you to attend your appointments so that any potential risks can be identified at the earliest and prevented or reduced. it is also the first and main opportunity to discuss all your queries concerning the pregnancy, like what’s happening during each trimester, physical changes in the body, birth plans etc. Usually, an uncomplicated pregnancy needs 8 to 10 visits with your doctor, but number of visits may vary if there is some complication in the pregnancy. Care during ante-natal visits- The antenatal care you get throughout your pregnancy depends on: • your stage of pregnancy • your pre- existing health condition • any present problems you may be experiencing There will be a number of checks, scans, tests and discussions, such as: • when the baby is due, what trimester you are in and what this means for you and your baby • finding out about your medical history, general health and how any previous pregnancies were • discussing any medication you are taking • ensuring you’ve had a recent pap test • making sure your mental health is OK, and supporting you if you have depression or anxiety • checking your blood pressure and weight and testing your urine • organizing blood tests and screening • providing advice on healthy eating and lifestyle changes • feeling and measuring your tummy, and listening to the baby’s heartbeat • checking about any physical symptoms that may be bothering you • running through your birth plan with you. A good ante-natal care has the best post-natal outcome. Some common types of antenatal care are antenatal clinic care, midwifery care, shared antenatal care, midwifery group practice (caseload midwifery), team midwifery care, and private care. FAQ What are antenatal risk factors? Smoking, drinking alcohol, and using illegal drugs can put your pregnancy at risk. Maternal health problems, high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, epilepsy, thyroid disease, heart or blood disorders, poorly controlled asthma, and infections can also increase pregnancy risks. What is the period of antenatal? The period from conception till delivery is referred to as the antenatal period. How many visits in antenatal care? A minimum of eight contacts are recommended to reduce perinatal mortality and improve women's experience of care. Counselling about healthy eating and keeping physically active during pregnancy. What is antenatal care? Antenatal care is the care you get from your obstetrician during your pregnancy. It is also known as pregnancy care or maternity care. What is antenatal care, and how soon first antenatal visit be? And why it’s important? Care a woman receives during her pregnancy journey right from day 1, like advice on supplements, foods, exercise, tests etc. Plan your visit with the doctor as soon you know that you are pregnant. It is very important because it will help in finding out early health issues with mother and the developing baby, hence the problem can be tackled begore it becomes a big problem for both mother and baby.

OBSTETRICS SERVICES Obstetric services are routine services focused on caring for pregnant women and their unborn babies, assisting women through labour and delivery, and providing immediate care for mothers after childbirth. Obstetricians are medical professionals who specialize in obstetrics. An obstetrician looks after the health of both the mother and the unborn child throughout pregnancy by keeping an eye out for issues like ectopic pregnancies or congenital disorders like Down syndrome. FAQ What is included in obstetrics? Obstetrics is a large and diversified field of medicine that deals with a variety of issues, such as surgery, management of maternity care, gynaecological care, oncology, and women's primary healthcare. What are obstetric procedures? Obstetric procedures include vaginal birth with vacuum help, paracervical and pudendal blocks, and healing of perineal injuries caused by childbirth. Prenatal examination of foetus weight, gestational age, and delivery date are also included. How does obstetrics care support a healthy pregnancy? An obstetrician will be an irreplaceable help during pregnancy. Obstetricians are responsible for everything related to pregnancy, from regular check-ups to preparation for childbirth and aftercare.  

GENITAL CANCER SCREENING Vaginal cancer may be detected during a routine pelvic examination before signs or symptoms become apparent. Doctors may also do a Pap test to look for cervical cancer, but the Pap test may detect vaginal cancer cells. Once a doctor has made a diagnosis of vaginal cancer, steps are taken to determine how far cancer has spread. Your cancer stage helps your doctor decide which treatment is right for you. FAQ Is genital cancer curable? Vaginal cancer is treatable and the treatment you have will depend on the size and type of vaginal cancer you have. What is the most common genital cancer? The most common type is vaginal squamous cell carcinoma, which begins in the thin, squamous cells that line the surface of the vagina. What is the treatment for genital cancer? The usual treatment is radiation, which uses both brachytherapy and external beam radiation therapy. Radical surgery (radical vaginectomy or pelvic exenteration) is an option for some women with stage II squamous cell carcinoma of the vagina if it is small and in the upper part of the vagina.