The impact of a pregnancy confirmation clinic on the commencement of antenatal care.
OBJECTIVE
To introduce a pregnancy confirmation clinic as part of antenatal care and to determine whether this would alter the gestational age at which patients commence antenatal care.


METHODS
Three municipal antenatal clinics in Atteridgeville and Central Pretoria.


METHODS
A pregnancy confirmation clinic was set up at three sites. At the clinic any woman wishing to confirm whether she was pregnant was offered a urine beta-HCG test. If this test was positive, on-site testing for syphilis, anaemia and rhesus status, dipstick testing of the urine, clinical examination and ultrasound examination were performed. Women with abnormal test results were commenced on appropriate treatment immediately and women requiring further medical care or investigation were referred appropriately.


RESULTS
The study recruited 382 women, 145 of whom were defaulters from contraception. Half of the women (191) had a positive pregnancy test. The mean presenting gestational age was 12 weeks 4 days (standard deviation 5 weeks, range 5 weeks-25 weeks 2 days). Treatable conditions with the potential to influence pregnancy outcome were identified in 37 of the pregnant women (19.4%) Forty-three of the pregnant women intended to terminate the pregnancy.


CONCLUSIONS
It is possible to shift the commencement of antenatal care to an earlier gestational age.
Jeffery
B S
BS
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Pretoria.
Tsuari
M
M
Pistorius
L R
LR
Makin
J
J
Pattinson
R C
RC
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D011258:Pregnancy Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*