The scientific basis of antenatal care. Report from a state-of-the-art conference.

The routine program for antenatal care consists of a number of scheduled visits aiming at detection of symptomless complications such as hypertension and deviation in fetal growth, as well as giving psychosocial support and health education. In a Swedish state-of-the-art conference in May 1990, the scientific basis of this routine program was critically evaluated. It was clearly demonstrated that the scientific evidence to support present timing and contents of routine visits is unsatisfactory, and that there is a great need for evaluation both of single diagnostic procedures and intervention and of programs of antenatal care. Evaluations of antenatal care should consider not only pregnancy outcome but also patient satisfaction and cost-benefit analysis. Long-term follow-up studies are urgently needed, not only of the effects of complications but also of antenatal diagnosis and interventions.