Ensuring preconceptual health is fundamental to good outcomes for women and babies. However, the first two trimesters following conception are also vitally important. They are periods of significant fetal development, and are when fetal development is most vulnerable to the impact of adverse maternal biopychosocial circumstances. For example maternal stress, use of tobacco, drugs and alcohol and poor nutrition. Pregnant women are highly motivated to do all they can to ensure the best outcomes for their babies and are therefore more likely to engage with and respond to behavioural change or modification support and information, including intentions in relation to breast feeding when the baby is born.
There is evidence that those women at highest risk of poor pregnancy outcomes are less likely to access antenatal care early and /or have a poorer experience of that care. High quality, relationship based antenatal care with a strong focus on prevention, promotion of health, early intervention and support as early as possible in pregnancy is therefore vitally important. Due to this,
The Scottish Government are introducing a new antenatal access target as part of NHS Scotland’s performance management system in April 2012. The target is:
At least 80% of pregnant women in each SIMD quintile will have booked for antenatal care by the 12th week of gestation by March 2015 so as to ensure improvements in breast feeding rates and other important health behaviours.
For further information, please contact christine.duncan@scotland.gsi.gov.uk