Information, Education and Counseling to Pregnant Women

Although all pregnant women are at risk of developing complications and many of these complications are unpredictable, it is important to ensure that all pregnant women have access to preventive health services, including diet and nutrition, child spacing/limiting, care of babies, prevention and treatment of anemia, prevention, detection and treatment of malaria, and sexually transmitted infections, awareness of danger signs during pregnancy and delivery, what to do if there is a problem, how to get health institution if there is an emergency, and place of birth, early diagnosis and treatment for problems and emergency care when needed. Despite many decades of public health interventions, pregnancy complications continue to be a leading cause of death and disability for women of reproductive age. Pregnancy is potentially risky for all women worldwide. There has been controversy about the impact of antenatal education on pregnancy outcome. However, a recent synthesis of experience with information, education, and communication (IEC) makes the point that it works. In other words, an appropriate strategy of IEC leads to or reinforces desirable attitudes and behavior.