India - Survey on Morbidity and Health Care January - June 2004, NSS 60th Round

Usually an expectant mother gets pre-natal care in a medical institution where she is likely to be admitted for child birth. She may also consult private medical practitioners at regular intervals for pre-natal care and advice. When she goes to the out patient department of a hospital for pre-natal care, usually her name is registered in the hospital and a card/ticket, on which attending physician records his/her advice and the next date of check up, is given to her. In case of consultation in a doctor's clinic, such registration may not be necessary. Nevertheless, the doctor advises her as to when she is to report to him again for the next check up. Usually, the expectant mothers are given Tetanus Toxoid injections to immunise them from affectation of tetanus. Sometimes Iron Folic Acid tablets are also prescribed to prevent anaemia during pregnancy.