Stillbirth prevention with counseling during antenatal care visits in pregnant women: A systematic review

Abstract

At important stages in women's lives, antenatal care (ANC) serves as a means of communication for women, their families and communities. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of counseling during ANC as an intervention to prevent stillbirths. Narrative studies with scientific journal database sources published in PubMed, EBSCO and Science Direct were used. This study was conducted during September–November 2023. The keywords used were stillbirth, counseling, ANC, and pregnancy, and the search included research published within five years of the study. A total of 185 articles were found, and 12 articles were selected for review. The findings indicate that an effective intervention to prevent stillbirth can be carried out through counseling during ANC visits. Antenatal counseling is the intervention of choice to change the behavior of pregnant women and health workers and improve the quality of ANC as a strategy for preventing stillbirths. ANC counseling topics that are effective in preventing stillbirth include weight control, breastfeeding, nutrition, physical activity, alcohol, smoking, HIV, drugs, and safe medication during pregnancy. By enhancing the quality of ANC and focusing on education and support, healthcare providers can play a crucial role in preventing stillbirths and promoting maternal and infant health.

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