Antenatal care needs to be “fine tuned” to the individual requirements of the mother and fetus. As much as possible they should be cared for in the community, while taking the women’s choice into account. Routine antenatal care is provided by antenatal visits to the community midwife, GP and hospital specialist at regular intervals. In general, these are at four weekly intervals till 28 weeks, two weekly intervals to 36 weeks and weekly thereafter till delivery. For a nulliparous woman with an uncomplicated pregnancy, a ten appointment schedule should be adequate. Similarly, for an uncomplicated pregnancy in a parous woman, a seven appointment schedule is appropriate. Aims of antenatal care: Provision of information, reassurance and support to the pregnant woman and her partner. Advice on symptoms and problems in pregnancy. Assessment of maternal and fetal risk factors preconceptionally, at the onset of pregnancy and throughout pregnancy. Information and provision of prenatal screening and management of abnormalities detected. Determination of timing and mode of delivery. Pregnant women should be offered evidence based information to support them to make informed decisions about their own care. A schedule of appointments should be made as recommended by NICE guidelines.