Some aspects of antenatal care in family medicine practice

Abstract

Objective: to assess key features of antenatal care delivery in family medicine practice, including preventive interventions and approaches to reducing pregnancy complications.

Material and methods: a comparative retrospective study of antenatal care delivery for pregnant women was conducted at the City Health Center for 2023–2024. Data were extracted from routine medical records and administrative reporting documentation (forms No. 024 and No. 029; consolidated City Health Center report form No. 12).

Results: a comparative analysis showed that early initiation of antenatal care was very high: in 2023, 99.6% of pregnant women were registered early, compared with 98.7% in 2024. A substantial proportion of women received co-managed follow-up by family physicians together with obstetrician–gynecologists; however, in 2024 this proportion was approximately half that observed in 2023. This may reflect a reduction in the share of pregnancies requiring specialist co-management. As a preventative measure, patients received supplementation with folic acid, iron, and iodine. More than a third of births occurred among women aged 18 to 35 years. Improved socioeconomic status and living conditions was associated with higher parity (four or more children).

Conclusion: high-quality indicators of family physician practices were noted, including the early initiation of antenatal care, the prescription of prophylactic iron and iodine, and positive trends in the health status of women with nonobstetric comorbidities (extragenital pathology). These factors contributed to a reduced risk of pregnancy complications.