Uttar Pradesh Increases Antenatal Check-Ups for Pregnant Women to Six
UP mandates six antenatal check-ups for pregnant women
Hindustan Times
Image: Hindustan Times
The Uttar Pradesh government has mandated six antenatal check-ups for pregnant women, up from four, to enhance maternal and neonatal health. This new guideline aims to facilitate early detection of complications and improve overall healthcare outcomes during pregnancy.
- 01The minimum number of antenatal check-ups for pregnant women in Uttar Pradesh has increased from four to six.
- 02The revised guidelines are issued by the Directorate of Family Welfare to improve maternal and neonatal health outcomes.
- 03Dr. HD Agrawal emphasized that the enhanced schedule allows for comprehensive monitoring throughout pregnancy.
- 04Healthcare providers can identify risks such as anaemia and gestational diabetes at an early stage due to the additional check-ups.
- 05The new schedule includes specific timelines for each of the six antenatal check-ups, starting within 12 weeks of pregnancy.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
In a significant move to bolster maternal healthcare, the Uttar Pradesh government has revised its guidelines to mandate six antenatal check-ups (ANCs) for pregnant women, increasing the previous requirement of four. This initiative aims to enhance monitoring and management of pregnancy-related complications, ultimately improving maternal and neonatal health outcomes. Dr. HD Agrawal, Director General of Family Welfare, highlighted that the new schedule will facilitate thorough oversight at each stage of pregnancy, enabling healthcare providers to detect risks early. Dr. Anju Agrawal from King George’s Medical University noted that the additional check-ups are crucial for timely identification and management of complications such as anaemia and gestational diabetes. Furthermore, Dr. Malvika Mishra from Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences emphasized that the expanded schedule will enhance the effectiveness of follow-up visits by frontline health workers, ensuring pregnant women receive essential counselling on nutrition, immunisation, and newborn care. The six antenatal check-ups will be structured as follows: the first within 12 weeks, the second between 16 and 20 weeks, the third between 24 and 28 weeks, the fourth between 28 and 32 weeks, the fifth between 32 and 36 weeks, and the sixth between 36 and 40 weeks of pregnancy.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
The increase in antenatal check-ups is expected to improve maternal and neonatal health significantly in Uttar Pradesh.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
Reader Poll
Do you think increasing the number of antenatal check-ups will improve maternal health outcomes?
Connecting to poll...
Read the original article
Visit the source for the complete story.

