Getting the health services you need: during pregnancy
Updated: 30 September 2022

Manuela Leporesi
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Credits
Tips and information
- Contact a health worker as soon as possible after confirmed you are pregnant
- Go to recommended health visits to get health care, emotional support, advice and information
- Get an ultrasound before 24 weeks of pregnancy
- Know that you have the right to be treated with respect and dignity throughout your pregnancy
- Know that everyone has the right to get sexual and reproductive health care, including comprehensive abortion care (information, management of abortion, and post-abortion care)
- Know when and where to seek care for danger signs during pregnancy, such as pain in the stomach region or belly (abdomen), bleeding, severe headaches, high fever, and swollen feet
- Keep a record at home of the woman’s health and vaccines during pregnancy
- Seek help if someone is hurting or threatening you, such as violence from a partner or ex-partner
- Ask a health worker how to avoid or get care and counselling for infectious diseases, such as HIV, malaria, and tuberculosis
- Know where to seek care for childbirth and have a birth preparedness and complication readiness plan
Related tips and information
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Videos & infographics
All →Question and Answers
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Publications
All →Compendium on respectful maternal and newborn care
In vitro diagnostic tests for serious bacterial infection, including neonatal sepsis, among infants aged 0–59 days: target product profile
Digital adaptation kit for postnatal care: Operational requirements for implementing WHO recommendations in digital systems
Guidance on planning, implementing and scaling up task sharing for contraceptive services
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