Antepartum care, also known as prenatal care, is the all-encompassing management of patients throughout their pregnancy course. It is a type of preventive healthcare that is essential to the progression of healthy pregnancies, identifying potential abnormal pregnancies, and ensuring safe and timely management of prenatal issues and deliveries for patients and neonates. Antepartum care is provided in the form of medical checkups, consisting of recommendations on managing a healthy lifestyle and the assessment of parental needs and family dynamics. The care is typically sought by patients after confirmed sonographic intrauterine pregnancy. The totality of antepartum care is an intricate balance of maternal and fetal management aimed to prevent significant maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality and provide support throughout the prenatal course.

Antepartum care comprises a significant percentage of health maintenance visits in the United States, averaging greater than 50 million visits annually. The care is usually divided into three trimesters, with each trimester having its own set of goals and objectives. The first trimester of antepartum care focuses on confirming the pregnancy, assessing the patients medical history, and identifying any potential risk factors. The second trimester of antepartum care focuses on fetal growth and development, maternal health, and screening for potential complications. The third trimester of antepartum care consists of the final preparations, screenings, necessary treatments, and counseling to facilitate safe and timely delivery and improved maternal and fetal outcomes.

Antepartum care can be costly and uses many staff. There is very little research to suggest that the traditional form of antenatal care, which has developed from the early 1900s, is the best way of giving antenatal care. However, alternative forms of antenatal care have been researched, which may reduce the burden on maternity services in all countries.

In summary, antepartum care is the management of patients throughout their pregnancy course, consisting of medical checkups, recommendations on managing a healthy lifestyle, and the assessment of parental needs and family dynamics. It is essential to the progression of healthy pregnancies, identifying potential abnormal pregnancies, and ensuring safe and timely management of prenatal issues and deliveries for patients and neonates. Antepartum care is usually divided into three trimesters, with each trimester having its own set of goals and objectives.