CHAPTER 4 - Access to early pregnancy care

Summary

Early pregnancy services should be modelled in such a way that they are accessible to deal with all the problems of early pregnancy, such as bleeding and medical conditions such as hyperemesis gravidarum, and also to facilitate routine antenatal care before the 12th week of pregnancy. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) antenatal care guideline recommended that booking with maternity services should take place before 12 weeks of pregnancy. The model of care for all early pregnancy events should be composed around the women's journey. It is important to have local care pathways in place for initial assessment, investigations for contributing causes and focused treatment. All clinical staff must undertake regular, written and documented audited training for the identification and initial management of referral for serious medical and mental health conditions that may affect pregnant women or recently delivered mothers.