The City of Cape Town’s Health Department is encouraging expectant women to visit their clinics for antenatal care as soon as they find out they are pregnant. Pregnancy Education Week, from 13 to 21 February 2021, is held nationally with a focus on healthy pregnancies.
‘It is important that women attend antenatal care as soon as they find out they are pregnant, preferably before 14 weeks of pregnancy. This helps to ensure the pregnancy and birth is a positive experience. It is also salient that her partner, a close friend or family member accompany her to antenatal care visits and support her during the pregnancy and labour,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Zahid Badroodien.
The City’s Health Department recorded 20 655 Basic Antenatal Care (BANC) visits during the 2018/2019 financial year, which increased to 22 504 visits the following year.
Antenatal care at public health clinics is free and pregnant women are encouraged to attend all antenatal visits, scheduled every four weeks to 28 weeks of pregnancy, thereafter every two weeks to 36 weeks, then weekly until the delivery.
It is important to return to the clinic immediately when experiencing any of the following symptoms:
- abdominal pain (not discomfort)
- blurred vision
- liquid (amniotic fluid) leaking from the vagina
- persistent headache
- reduced fetal (baby) movements
- vaginal bleeding
To ensure a safe pregnancy and healthy baby, it is important to eat healthy meals and to do safe physical activities. Pregnant women are advised to abstain from smoking cigarettes, using illegal drugs and drinking alcohol.
Cigarette smoking during pregnancy increases the risk of pre-term labour, low birth weight, and birth defects of the mouth and lip (cleft palate). Smoking during, and after pregnancy, also increases the risk of infant death syndrome (SIDS).
The use of illegal drugs during pregnancy increases the risk of pre-term labour, low birth weight, and developmental delays in the child.
Drinking alcohol while pregnant can harm the unborn baby, and cause birth defects known as Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disease (FASD). When a pregnant woman drinks alcohol it goes into her bloodstream. The blood takes the alcohol to the unborn baby. Alcohol damages the unborn baby’s growing body and brain resulting in many types of birth defects. FASD is 100% permanent. The damage done by the alcohol cannot be undone. FASD is 100% preventable. No alcohol for mom during pregnancy means no FASD for baby.
Pregnant women who are unable to stop taking these substances should talk to the healthcare professional at the antenatal visits. If they are 18 years or older, they can go directly to a clinic offering Matrix ® certified drug and alcohol support programmes. Free drug and alcohol treatment is available at the City’s Matrix ® clinics.
‘Although pregnancy is an exciting time, the birth of the baby can be a time of dramatic changes that can make new mothers feel overwhelmed. Pregnant women and new mothers need lots of help and support. Regular antenatal visits will help to ease some of the stress and concerns, while helping to detect and prevent early complications,’ said Councillor Badroodien.
If you or someone you know is suffering from depression during pregnancy or after the birth of the baby, speak to the healthcare professional at your clinic or your doctor; or get help from Postnatal Depression Support SA. SMS “help” to 082 882 0072 and they will contact you.