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22/09/2010
Vital Antenatal Care Not Getting Through
Experts have reported that many of the most vulnerable pregnant women across England and Wales, are missing out on vital antenatal services.
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has warned that teenage mothers, non-English speakers, domestic abuse victims and drug users were the least likely to seek care despite needing it most.
However there remains wide criticism over the idea of schools and colleges hosting antenatal classes.
NICE, the NHS watchdog, work to prevent medical problems such as pre-eclampsia and offer vital advice on pregnancy issues such as drinking and smoking. They agree that antenatal classes play an essential role in improving the health of mothers and babies and that a lack of care results in complications.
NICE's Deputy Chief Executive, Dr Gillian Leng said: "Although these women represent a small proportion of those having babies in the UK each year, they and their unborn children deserve the same level of care as anyone else."
She said that some schools with a high number of pregnant students should be able to help them access antenatal care by hosting classes, however many agree that this would normalise the growing problem.
The Deputy Chief Executive said NICE was looking at how to tackle the UK's teenage pregnancy rate and would be announcing proposals in the near future.
(BMcN)
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has warned that teenage mothers, non-English speakers, domestic abuse victims and drug users were the least likely to seek care despite needing it most.
However there remains wide criticism over the idea of schools and colleges hosting antenatal classes.
NICE, the NHS watchdog, work to prevent medical problems such as pre-eclampsia and offer vital advice on pregnancy issues such as drinking and smoking. They agree that antenatal classes play an essential role in improving the health of mothers and babies and that a lack of care results in complications.
NICE's Deputy Chief Executive, Dr Gillian Leng said: "Although these women represent a small proportion of those having babies in the UK each year, they and their unborn children deserve the same level of care as anyone else."
She said that some schools with a high number of pregnant students should be able to help them access antenatal care by hosting classes, however many agree that this would normalise the growing problem.
The Deputy Chief Executive said NICE was looking at how to tackle the UK's teenage pregnancy rate and would be announcing proposals in the near future.
(BMcN)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A mostly cloudy start with scattered showers, the showers becoming more isolated and largely confined to the south this morning. Becoming brighter this afternoon, the best of any sunnier spells across northern counties. Northerly winds easing. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:A dry evening with late sunny spells and some long clear spells overnight. Becoming cloudier across the north towards dawn with a few showers possible. Touch of frost in south. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
