| dc.description.abstract | Pregnancy (gestation) is the time during which one or more offspring develops inside a woman
(Eunice, 2013). Childbirth typically occurs around 40 weeks from the last menstrual period
(LMP) which is just over nine months, where each month averages 31 days (Eunice, 2013; SH,
2011). Pregnancy is typically divided into three trimesters. (Eunice, 2013) The first trimester is
from week one through 12. During this trimester, the possibility of miscarriage (natural death of
embryo or fetus) is at its higher rate (Abman, 2011). The second trimester is from week 13
through 28. Around the middle of the second trimester, movement of the fetus may be felt
(Eunice, 2013). At 28 weeks, more than 90% of babies can survive outside of the uterus if
provided with high-quality medical care. The third trimester is from 29 weeks through 40 weeks
(Eunice, 2013).
Maternal death or maternal mortality is "the death of a woman while pregnant or within 42 days
of termination of pregnancy (WHO, 2016; Kan, 2006). Prenatal care also known as antenatal
care improves pregnancy outcomes there by reducing on maternal death (US, 2012). It is a
preventive healthcare whose goal is to provide regular check-ups that allow doctors or midwives
to treat and prevent potential health problems throughout the course of the pregnancy and to
promote healthy lifestyles that benefit both mother and child (US, 2012; Medicine Net, 2011) | en_US |
