By Prosper Mene
Medical experts are calling on pregnant women to register for antenatal care as early as possible, ideally within the first six to eight weeks of pregnancy to significantly reduce the risk of life-threatening complications for both mother and child.
The appeal comes amid concerns over delayed antenatal registration in Nigeria, where many women only seek care after 20 weeks of gestation, often when complications have already developed.
Prof. Christopher Aimakhu, second Vice President of the Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of Nigeria, advised that women should book antenatal care after the second missed period, once pregnancy is confirmed. “Early registration ensures early counselling on what to do and what not to do during pregnancy, including the use of drugs, and allows for proper monitoring,” he said.
Dr. Saheed Jimoh echoed the call, stressing that timely antenatal care enables healthcare providers to detect risks early, initiate preventive treatments, and plan for safe delivery. “It is important to register early so that some of these things are identified early. We can detect them early… We can prevent some of these disease conditions before they even start showing up,”
Dr. Jimoh explained, Nigeria bears a heavy burden of maternal mortality, accounting for approximately 34% of global maternal deaths, with a maternal mortality ratio of 512 per 100,000 live births according to the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey.
Delayed or absent antenatal care contributes to avoidable tragedies, including intrauterine growth restriction, fetal demise, premature labour, pregnancy-induced hypertension, severe pre-eclampsia, eclampsia, and complications from conditions such as gestational diabetes, sickle cell disease, and infections like HIV and hepatitis B.
Antenatal care focuses on prevention, health promotion, birth planning, preparation, and early detection of issues. It provides opportunities for essential interventions such as HIV testing, administration of preventive medicines, and nutritional support through hematinics.
Experts noted several barriers to early registration, including poverty, distance to health facilities, low awareness, cultural beliefs, unplanned pregnancies, and previous successful deliveries that create overconfidence. Healthcare worker shortages due to migration further strain the system.
Abioye Amodu, Head of Monitoring and Evaluation at the Lagos State Primary Health Care Board, highlighted the practical challenge: “Most times, they come in after 20 weeks, and there are so many complications that can arise from that.”
Health authorities and medical professionals are urging intensified public education campaigns and improved access to free or subsidised antenatal services to encourage early booking. Strengthening health insurance coverage could also reduce the financial burden on families, which often includes transportation, tests, drugs, and consultations.
Gynaecologists emphasise that starting antenatal care early is one of the most effective steps women can take toward a safer pregnancy and delivery, ultimately helping to lower Nigeria’s persistently high maternal and newborn mortality rates.
