Course Content

This course will describe the basic component of the new WHO antenatal care model. It provides detailed
instructions on how to conduct the four-visit schedule of the basic component of the WHO model. It includes a classifying form for easy assessment of a woman's eligibility for the basic component, and provides a checklist of activities that are to be performed throughout the four-visit schedule.

It is important to emphasize that the basic component of the new WHO antenatal care model is intended only for the management of pregnant woman who do not have evidence of pregnancy-related complications, medical conditions or major health-related risk factors. For the management of pregnant woman who have such conditions, health providers are advised to follow the recommended established procedures of their clinic or hospital.

What is the New Model?

In developing countries, routinely recommended antenatal care programs are often poorly implemented and clinical visits can be irregular, with long waiting times and poor feedback from women. The purpose of the new model is to limit the number of visits to the clinic and restrict tests, clinical procedures, and follow-up actions to those that have been proven by research evidence to improve outcomes for women and newborns.