Addressing inequities in access to antenatal care

Published

Thursday, September 14, 2023 - 12:00 PM

Restacking the Odds (RSTO) has published a research snapshot with insights to help health practitioners, health services managers and policymakers optimise antenatal care for all women.

Access to high-quality antenatal care throughout pregnancy is critical for optimising maternal health and the baby’s development. However, in Australia, the benefits of antenatal care are not equally available to all women.

Disadvantage can occur due to any adversity arising from financial, cultural, ethnic, legal, health or social circumstances. Women experiencing disadvantage encounter a range of barriers to accessing high-quality antenatal care throughout pregnancy. This places them, and their baby, at greater risk of poorer health and wellbeing.

The new RSTO publication shares findings from a recent research study on the barriers that make it difficult for Australian women to:

• begin antenatal care in the first trimester
• receive the appropriate number of antenatal care appointments in pregnancy.

Read the snapshot to learn more about barriers to accessing antenatal care and what we can do to optimise antenatal care for all women.

Check out other RSTO publications to access more resources aimed at ensuring children and families can and do access a combination of high-quality, evidence-informed services where and when they need them.