WHO recommendations on antenatal care for a positive pregnancy experience

This comprehensive guideline is about routine antenatal care for pregnant women and adolescent girls, and was designed to complement existing WHO guidelines on the management of specific pregnancy-related complications. These recommendations on antenatal care are intended to inform the development of relevant health-care policies and clinical protocols.

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• WHO recommendations on antenatal care for a positive pregnancy experience
• Executive summary

Within the continuum of reproductive health care, antenatal care (ANC) provides a platform for important healthcare functions, including health promotion, screening and diagnosis, and disease prevention. It has been established that, by implementing timely and appropriate evidence-based practices, ANC can save lives.

Endorsed by the UN Secretary-General, this is a comprehensive WHO guideline on routine ANC for pregnant women and adolescent girls. It aims to complement existing WHO guidelines on the management of specific pregnancy-related complications. The guidance aims to capture the complex nature of the issues surrounding ANC health care practices and delivery, and to prioritize person-centred health and well-being, not only the prevention of death and morbidity, in accordance with a human rights-based approach.

Other language versions of the executive summary

• Español
• Français
• Português
• 中文

Read more about antenatal care here.