Since 2016, the World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended that expectant women have at least eight antenatal care (ANC) visits with skilled healthcare providers, such as doctors, nurses, or midwives.
This updated guideline, which doubled the previous recommendation of four visits, was based on years of research showing that eight visits are more effective at addressing pregnancy and delivery complications.
Indeed, studies show that eight or more ANC visits can reduce perinatal deaths (deaths during pregnancy, childbirth, or the first week of life) by up to 8 per 1,000 births, compared to only four visits. This is an important development, recognizing that in Kenya, 23 perinatal deaths are recorded for every 1,000 live births, highlighting the critical importance of ANC in protecting both mothers and babies.
Antenatal care helps
identify complications and risk factors, provides treatment for conditions such
as hypertension and tetanus, and offers essential health education to mothers
and their partners. It also includes disease testing and medications to prevent
mother-to-child transmissions, micronutrient supplementation to prevent
congenital conditions, and emotional and psychological support.
Access to quality healthcare services, for example, is a major barrier, particularly for women in rural areas where healthcare facilities may be distant and difficult to reach. Long travel times, inadequate transportation options, and high costs of care often discourage women from attending regular ANC visits. In addition, some women may face financial constraints that make it difficult to afford the necessary tests, ultrasounds, or medications.
Furthermore, cultural beliefs and a lack of awareness about the importance of regular ANC visits contribute to the low attendance rates. Some communities may place less emphasis on modern healthcare practices or prioritize traditional birth attendants over trained medical professionals. Others may not be fully aware of the risks of insufficient prenatal care or the potential benefits of multiple ANC visits in preventing complications during pregnancy and childbirth.
Addressing these challenges requires us to prioritise accessibility, affordability, and education. Innovative approaches are needed to ensure that expectant mothers, regardless of their socio-economic background, can access the care they need. These could be implemented through bundled ANC plans like AAR Healthcare's, which combine expert medical care—including physician appointments, lab tests, and post-natal visits—into affordable packages.
Such initiatives make antenatal care more accessible to women who may otherwise struggle to afford the full range of services typically offered in private healthcare settings. By making ANC visits more affordable and comprehensive, these programmes aim to improve the likelihood that more women will receive timely and consistent care throughout their pregnancies. A consequence of increased uptake of such products is that many mothers will experience a smoother prenatal and postnatal journey, while significantly contributing to the acceleration of the Sustainable Development Goal of reducing perinatal mortality to under 12 per 1,000 births.
The writer is the General Manager of AAR Healthcare
