When do pregnant women attend for antenatal care?. Issue 6233 (12th July 1980)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Simpson, H; Walker, G
• Is Part Of: BMJ. Volume 281:Issue 6233(1980)
• Page Start: 104
• Page End: 107
• Publication Date: 1980-07-12
• Subjects: Medicine -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; Medicine; Periodicals; 610
• DOI: 10.1136/bmj.281.6233.104
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0007-1447

Abstract

Abstract : The case records of a representative sample of 313 women from four health districts in the North-east Thames Health Region were reviewed to determine the stage of pregnancy at which they contact antenatal services. Patients seeking care (when a blood specimen was obtained) after 20 weeks' gestation ranged from 6% to 26%. These women were more likely to be of higher parity and immigrants. Appreciable delays in obtaining an early blood specimen, or in referral to a hospital antenatal clinic, were due to delay by hospitals in giving appointments and, to a lesser extent, to slowness of general practitioners in referring patients or taking blood.