Routine prenatal care

Prenatal care is a key component of a healthy pregnancy. Regular prenatal care helps to identify and treat complications and promote health and wellness. Outcome data suggest that babies born to mothers who do not receive prenatal care are three times more likely to be of low birth weight, and five times more likely to die, compared with babies born to mothers who receive prenatal care. US Department of Health and Human Services: prenatal care fact sheet Opens in new window In addition to medical care, prenatal care includes counseling, education, and addressing unmet social needs that can affect health outcomes directly and through limiting access to care.[1]Peahl AF, Turrentine M, Barfield W,​ et al. Michigan plan for appropriate tailored healthcare in pregnancy prenatal care recommendations: a practical guide for maternity care clinicians. J Women's Health. Jul 2022;31(7):917-25. This topic provides an overview of the prenatal management of average-risk pregnancies: singleton pregnancies without medical comorbidities or pregnancy complications. Key medical comorbidities and pregnancy complications are summarized below and links to relevant BMJ Best Practice condition topics provided for more detailed information.​