Ante Natal

Care

This is one of a series of flipcharts on these topics : Ante Natal Care, Post Natal Care,
Child Health, Child Nutrition, Family Spacing, HIV&AIDS, Tuberculosis, Malaria
About the flipchart set
· This kit comprises a series of 8 flipcharts designed to assist health workers in creating awareness
and generating discussion on various health issues among community members.
· Issues addressed in the 8 flipcharts include: Safe Motherhood: Antenatal Care; Postnatal Care,
Family Spacing, Child Nutrition amd Growth, Child Health, Malaria, Tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS.
· Each flipchart has a series of pictures that help the facilitator initiate a discussion on the issue.
· Key points that need to be discussed with each image are given on the corresponding page for
the facilitators reference along with a thumbnail image of the picture.

How to use flip charts

· Hold the flip chart with both hands carefully. Ensure that the illustrations face the group. Take care
that your hands do not hide the illustrations.
· When the illustrations are facing the group, the facilitator will be able to see the text (key points)
relevant to the illustrations that need to be addressed at this stage.
· Use your finger to point out and draw attention to specific aspects of the illustrations. This will help
the group to concentrate.

1
This flipchart addresses Safe Motherhood: Antenatal Care. It comprises 4 sections:
· For a healthy mother and child during Pregnancy (Page 3-12)
· Recognizing Warning and Risk Signs during Pregnancy (Page 14-23)
· Recognizing Emergency Situations during Pregnancy (Page 25-31)
· Preparing for Delivery (Page 33-42)
Overview of each sub topic is shared before each section.

For a healthy mother and child during pregnancy

Introduction
· Having a baby is both a joy and a responsibility for the mother and the father. It is important to
remember some basic points so that both the mother and baby are healthy.
Activity Instructions
1. Describe what is happening in each of the pictures.
2. Identify those actions that may harm the mother and child and those that will ensure the health
of the mother and child. Explain why.
Discussion Points
· With Women : Look at each picture and explain the possible consequence of the action shown
in the picture.
· With Men : What role can the man play in each of the situations shown?
Key Message
· Education and awareness, regular health care, a nutritious diet, plenty of rest and the support of
the whole family will help the mother and child remain healthy.

2
 Couple registering
pregnancy

The pregnancy should be registered as early as possible. By

doing this the woman can get all the medical help and support
during her pregnancy and delivery.

At the health centre the pregnant woman would also need to

get her blood pressure, weight, height, blood type checked.

A pregnant woman needs continued and regular healthcare

throughout her pregnancy. She should have at least 4 check
ups.

3
 Pregnant woman getting a
tetanus toxide injection

At the health centre the woman will get her first dose of the
tetanus toxide injection that will protect her and the baby from
tetanus infection.

She will get her second dose after 6 weeks.

4
 Pregnant woman having iron
folic tablets.

The pregnant woman needs to have iron-folic tablets every

day and will need to continue doing so up to 6 months after
her delivery. This will help prevent anaemia.

5
 Woman having a nutritious
diet

Vegetables and fruits are especially important as they provide

roughage and prevent constipation.

A balanced diet ensures the woman gets all the nutrients she
needs. She also needs to supplement her diet with iron- IFA
tablets.

Contrary to some beliefs – it is safe for the woman to have

papaya and pineapple.

6
 Woman having very little
food and inhaling smoke
from husband’s cigarette

A pregnant woman needs a lot of food for both herself and her
baby otherwise the baby will be born weak and may not survive.
She herself will also be weak and unable to have a normal
delivery.

A pregnant woman should avoid smoking, sitting beside a

smoker, drinking alcohol, eating khaini, zarda or any other
intoxicating substance as it can harm the baby.

This symbol indicates harmful practice.

7
 Woman managing
housework alone, facing
mental abuse from husband

It is important for the woman to be in a cheerful state of mind.

Any form of abuse – physical, mental, sexual would endanger

both the mother and child’s health.

This symbol indicates harmful practice.

8
 Woman getting support from
family members with
housework

The woman needs support from the family to do the household

chores, so she can get the rest she needs.

9
 Woman getting adequate
rest

She should rest for at least 8 hours in the night and for 2 hours
in the day.

The woman should lie on her left side. This will ensure full flow
of blood to the child.

10
 Woman lifting a heavy
bucket

The woman should avoid doing any strenuous work as it may

harm the baby.

This symbol indicates harmful practice.

11
 Ill woman being attended to
by a witch doctor

Seeking medical help from witch doctors’ and quacks’ can put
the mother and child’s life at risk.

Delay in seeking proper medical help from registered health

practioners may endanger both the mother and child’s life.

A pregnant woman needs continued and regular healthcare

from proper authorised health centres throughout her pregnancy.
She should have at least 4 check ups.

This symbol indicates harmful practice.

12
Recognizing Risks and Warning Signs during Pregnancy
Introduction
· All women should have access to health care and skilled attendants through their pregnancy and
during childbirth. Some women may be more vulnerable to complications and they should definitely
try and give birth in a hospital.
Activity Instructions
1. Describe the pictures.
2. Which of these women do not need a hospital delivery?
Discussion Points
· With Women : Look at each picture and explain the possible reasons why these women need a
hospital delivery.
· With Men : How does it help men to be aware of this information?
Key Message
· Every woman has the right to health care, especially during pregnancy and childbirth. All women
should try and have a hospital delivery. Some women are more at risk and it is essential for them
to have a hospital delivery.

13
 15-year-old girl

The woman is below 18 years.

She is at risk of facing complications during pregnancy.

The appropriate age for for marriage is 18 years and only after
that is the girl physically and mentally ready for pregnancy.

This symbol indicates risk.

14
 36-year-old woman

The woman is above 35 years.

It is safer for women to conceive between 18 and 35 years.

She is at risk of facing complications during pregnancy and

should definitely have a hospital delivery.

This symbol indicates risk.

15
 Under weight woman

The woman weighs less than 40 kilos.

She is at risk of facing complications during pregnancy and

should definitely have a hospital delivery.

This symbol indicates risk.

16
 Woman with four children

The woman has more than 4 children.

She is at risk of facing complications during pregnancy and

should definitely have a hospital delivery.

This symbol indicates risk.

17
 Short woman

The woman is below 140 cms in height.

She is at risk of facing complications during pregnancy and

should definitely have a hospital delivery.

This symbol indicates risk.

18
 Anaemic woman

The woman has anaemia.

She is at risk of facing complications during pregnancy and

should definitely have a hospital delivery.

This symbol indicates risk.

19
 Woman with twins

The woman gave birth to twins during her last pregnancy.

She is at risk of facing complications during pregnancy and

should definitely have a hospital delivery.

This symbol indicates risk.

20
 Woman with a disabled baby

The woman’s last baby was disabled (eg. with down’s

syndrome) or had died.

She is at risk of facing complications during pregnancy and

should definitely have a hospital delivery.

This symbol indicates risk.

21
 Pregnant woman bleeding

The woman had a problem with her past pregnancy (bleeding,

prolonged labour).

She is at risk of facing complications during pregnancy and

should definitely have a hospital delivery.

This symbol indicates risk.

22
 Woman suffering from a
chronic disease

The woman is suffering from a chronic disease (eg. TB, HIV,

STI, Malaria).

She is at risk of facing complications during pregnancy and

should definitely have a hospital delivery.

This symbol indicates risk.

23
Recognizing Emergency Situations during Pregnancy
Introduction
· Close to 1400 women die every day from problems related to pregnancy and childbirth. Thousands
more experience complications during pregnancy, many of which are life threatening for the women
and their children.
Activity Instructions
1. Describe the pictures.
2. Which of these women represent a medical emergency?
Discussion Points
· With Women: Look at each picture and try and identify what is happening in the picture. Why do
you think it is serious?
· With Men : How does it help men to be aware of this information?
Key Message
· Every woman has the right to health care, especially during pregnancy and childbirth. It is essential
for the entire family to recognise emergency situations and seek medical help without delay.

24
 Pregnant woman getting a
severe headache

The pregnant woman has a severe headache.

This could be an emergency and she needs immediate medical

help.

This symbol indicates medical emergency.

25
 Pregnant woman getting pain
in the abdomen

The pregnant woman is having pain in the abdomen.

This is an emergency and she needs immediate medical help.

This symbol indicates medical emergency.

26
 Pregnant woman has
swollen hands and feet

The pregnant woman has swelling of the hands or feet.

This is an emergency and she needs immediate medical help.

This symbol indicates medical emergency.

27
 Pregnant woman vomitting
excessively

The pregnant woman is vomiting excessively.

This is an emergency and she needs immediate medical help.

This symbol indicates medical emergency.

28
 Loss of foetal movements
from woman’s uterus

There is a loss of foetal movements from woman’s uterus.

This is an emergency and she needs immediate medical help.

This symbol indicates medical emergency.

29
 Pregnant woman having
convulsions

The pregnant woman is having convulsions.

This is an emergency and she needs immediate medical help.

This symbol indicates medical emergency.

30
 Pregnant woman bleeding
from vagina

The pregnant woman is bleeding from the vagina

This is an emergency and she needs immediate medical help.

This symbol indicates medical emergency.

31
Preparing for Delivery
Introduction
· As far as possible mothers should give birth to babies in institutions. All births especially first births
are safer in a maternity clinic or hospital.
· However the family should also be prepared for a home delivery incase because of unavoidable
circumstances the mother is not able to reach the hospital in time. A skilled birth attendant (doctor,
nurse or trained mid wife) should be present for a home delivery.
Activity Instructions
1. Describe the pictures.
2. Identify which of the following relate to preparing for a home delivery and which relate to a delivery
at the hospital.
Discussion Points
· With Women: When should women start preparing for delivery?
· With Men : Why do men need to know this information and what is the critical role men can play
during the last stage of pregnancy?
Key Message
· An emergency arrives unannounced and preparation is essential. A family needs to be prepared
for both a home and hospital delivery.

32
 Name and address of the
nearest established hospital

For a hospital delivery:

The family should make arrangements and be familiar with the

nearest hospital, so there is no delay in taking the woman to
the hospital.

33
 Money

For a hospital delivery:

The family should keep aside some money to ensure a safe

delivery.

Trying to save money during the delivery may end up being

more expensive for the family if the mother and child’s life get
endangered.

34
 Blood

For a hospital delivery:

Tested and safe blood may be required in case of an emergency

during delivery.

The family should be prepared to make the necessary

arrangements.

35
 Vehicle

For a hospital delivery:

A vehicle should be organised. This should be done from before

hand to avoid delay.

This will be necessary to take the pregnant woman to the

hospital.

36
 Clean room with clean mat
for delivery

For home delivery:

A room that is fresh (swept and cleaned with mud and lime
wash) and has plenty of sunlight and air should be allocated
for delivery.

A new mat or clean sari or plastic sheet should be kept ready

for delivery

37
 Clean Cloth washed and
dried in the sun

For home delivery:

Some clean, soft pieces of cloth should be kept ready.

Immediately after birth the baby would be wrapped in these

clean pieces of cloth.

38
 Sterilised or new razor

For home delivery:

A sterilised blade should be kept ready. Sterilisation of the

blade ensures that it does not cause any infection.

The trained birth attendant will use this to cut the baby’s
umbilical cord.

39
 Soap

For a home delivery:

Some soap should be kept ready.

The Trained Birth Attendant uses soap and water to wash her
hands before the delivery.

40
 Clean String

For a home delivery:

Some clean string needs to be kept ready.

The TBA uses this to tie knots on the umbilical cord before
cutting it.

41
 Trained Birth Attendant

For a home delivery:

To conduct a safe delivery at home, it is essential that it is

conducted by a Trained Birth Attendant.

She will have the necessary skills and knowledge to deal with
emergencies that may arise.

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