How many prenatal check-ups are recommended during the third trimester for a pregnant individual with limited prior prenatal care?

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WHO Recommendations for Third Trimester Prenatal Check-ups

According to the WHO 2016 antenatal care model, pregnant women should have a minimum of 8 contacts throughout pregnancy, with at least 2 contacts recommended during the third trimester.

However, I must note that the evidence provided does not contain the specific WHO guidelines being referenced in this question. The available evidence focuses primarily on US-based guidelines and research studies rather than WHO recommendations.

Context from Available Evidence

Based on the research evidence available:

  • Standard US prenatal care traditionally consists of 12-14 visits per pregnancy, though newer models suggest this may be more than necessary for low-risk pregnancies 1

  • Reduced-frequency models have been studied showing that 8 total prenatal appointments (with enhanced remote monitoring) can be as safe and effective as standard care, with higher patient satisfaction and lower stress levels 1

  • Third trimester monitoring is particularly important for detecting complications such as fetal growth restriction, preeclampsia, and other obstetric complications that may require intervention 2

Clinical Implications for This Patient

For this 7-month pregnant patient with limited prior care:

  • She requires catch-up assessment including screening for gestational diabetes (normally done at 24-28 weeks), group B Streptococcus testing (at 36-37 weeks), and evaluation for preeclampsia risk 2

  • More frequent visits may be warranted given her late entry to care and lack of second-trimester screening 3

  • Address barriers to care such as lack of accompaniment, which significantly impacts prenatal care adherence and outcomes 3

Based on the multiple-choice options provided and standard WHO 2016 guidelines (though not directly cited in the evidence), the answer would be (d) 8 times for total pregnancy contacts, with at least 2 of these occurring in the third trimester.

References

Research

Prenatal Care: An Evidence-Based Approach.

American family physician, 2023

Research

Geographic barriers to prenatal care access and their consequences.

American journal of obstetrics & gynecology MFM, 2021

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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