Antenatal Examination
Antenatal Examination
INTRODUCTION
DEFINITION
AIMS
COMPONENTS
History taking
General assessment
Abdominal examination
Vaginal examination
Investigations
Health education
ARTICLES REQUIRED
PREREQUISITES
A. HISTORY TAKING
Personal History- Health habits like smoking, drinking, drugs or any other past
medical history, known allergies to drug, fumes, food or substances, sleeping pattern,
dietary pattern, bowel and bladder pattern, etc
B. General Assessment
Height: Pulse:
Weight: Respiration:
Built: B.P:
Temperature:
i. Hair and Scalp- Healthy or infection
ii. Eyes
- Observe the colour of the conjunctiva - yellow, pink or normal.
- Sclera- Normal, yellow tinge suggest Anaemia
- Infection, discharge
iii. Mouth
- Hygiene
- Gums and teeth- Healthy, Cavities, Infection
iv. Ear, Nose and Throat- Healthy, Enlargement, discharge or infection
v. Breast Changes- Normal Changes during pregnancy
3 – 4 weeks - Pricking and tingling sensation
6 weeks- Enlarged, tense, painful
8 weeks- bluish surface, vein visible
8 – 12 weeks – Montgomery glands become prominent on the areola
16 weeks – Colostrum can be expressed
vi. Abdomen- Palpate for liver or spleen enlargement or any other abnormality
vii. Skin- Observe for any scar or infection
viii. Extremities- Upper: Check hands, color of nails-pink or pale, shape of nails
Lower: Any pain, tenderness, varicose veins, presence of oedema,
presence of homan’s sign
ix. Back and Spine:
- Observe the back and spine for any deformity
- Observe the symmetry of the rhomboids of Michaelis which is a diamond shaped
area formed anteriorly by the fifth lumbar vertebra laterally by the dimples, of the
superior iliac spine and posteriorly by the gluteal cleft.
C. ABDOMINAL EXAMINATION
A through abdominal examination of pregnant woman helps to determine the lie, presentation
and position of the fetus.
D. VAGINAL EXAMINATION
It should be done using the left fingers (thumb and index), the character of vaginal discharge,
cervix consistency, cystocele, uterine prolapse to be elicited.
E. INVESTIGATION
Hemogram, Blood grouping and incompatibility, Urine test- to detect protein, albumin,
acetone and sugar, HIV, VDRL, Ultrasound scans and any other test if needed.
F. HEALTH EDUCATION
Record all the findings in the history taking and assessment file.
Inform any abnormalities to the superior and take prompt action.
Record any other information that mother has given.