Abstract

Positive contact with antenatal care and its providers improves outcomes for women and their babies. We examined women’s knowledge of antenatal and postnatal care, in addition to the positive and negative feelings and experiences they associate with it. We surveyed women attending antenatal clinics and interviewed eight women after they had their babies. People who took part in the survey had different views and beliefs about the purpose of antenatal care and prenatal screening policies, with most of their knowledge gained from non-medical sources. Knowledge of labour and its complications was better in women who had already had a baby. However, in some cases, all lacked knowledge. In the interviews, women described positive feelings around their experience of antenatal care. Women also differed in the amount of knowledge they wanted to receive. This research demonstrates the varied experiences of women attending our services, highlighting both the positive and negative aspects of care. Topics of poor knowledge are highlighted, particularly in women who have not had a baby before, and regarding the postnatal period.