The Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) calls on pregnant women to prioritise attendance to antenatal care as this promotes a safe pregnancy journey. The call comes as the country continues to observe Reproductive Health Month.

GDoH reports that out of 229 127 pregnant women who attended antenatal care in Gauteng health facilities between January 2024 and January 2025, only 64 133 of them presented to health facilities after 20 weeks.

“While a good 164 994 presented earlier or before 20 weeks, it is still concerning that there were over 60 000 pregnant women who could only be checked late by midwives or doctors for health conditions affecting both the mother and baby.”

“Antenatal care helps with the detection of abnormalities in the pregnancy like hypertension, anaemia and diabetes, as well as abnormalities with the foetus, which allows the mother to decide if she continues with the pregnancy.”

“Additionally, it helps with the diagnosis of infections such as syphilis and allows enough time for completion of treatment which decreases the risk of stillbirths and neonatal deaths.”
GDH highlights the importance of pregnant women educating themselves as it will help identify risks.

“Anaemia leads to women excessively bleeding after delivery, while congenital syphilis in babies leads to blindness and learning disabilities as the bacteria affects the brain”

It is also important that expectant mothers attend antenatal care early to ensure that they get tested for HIV.

“Pregnant women who are diagnosed with HIV are immediately placed on treatment which assists with viral load suppression, reducing the risk of vertical transmission of HIV infection.

“The counselling that is given during the antenatal care also warns against drinking and smoking while pregnant as this leads to conditions such as Foetal Alcohol Syndrome and increased risk of birth defects such as cleft lip and cleft palate.”

GDoH urges pregnant women to visit their local clinics to access ANC services.