[Prenatal care]

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Public Health

Context:

• Antenatal care is crucial for identifying and managing maternal and fetal risks during pregnancy.
• Structured national prenatal care programs are proven to reduce mortality and morbidity rates.
• The World Health Organization recommends a minimum of eight antenatal check-ups.

Purpose:

• To review international recommendations and publications on prenatal care.
• To discuss current developments and controversies in antenatal care in Germany.
• To highlight the importance of standardized clinical documentation, such as the German maternity document (Mutterpass).

Summary:

• Early identification of risks through rational antenatal care guides medical interventions during pregnancy and birth.
• Germany has a long-standing, standardized, and nationwide antenatal care system.
• The established maternity document and guideline adaptations form the basis of German prenatal care.

Impact:

• Implementing comprehensive prenatal care concepts can significantly decrease maternal and fetal mortality and morbidity.
• Standardized documentation ensures traceability of medical findings for individual pregnancies.
• This article provides insights into global best practices and national specificities in antenatal care.