[Evaluation of prenatal care intensity in the Brzezin region in 1987-98].

: Antenatal medical care is one of the most important factors bearing an influence on the course of pregnancy and labour. The study group comprised 7307 pregnant patients who delivered in the regional Hospital in Brzezin. The women not taking advantage of antenatal care constituted 3.4% of all pregnant patients, those who had visited the gynaecological outpatient department less than 4 times during the pregnancy--15.4%, and those who had had 4 to 7 visits--57%, and 8 visits or more--23.8%. In 52.2% of cases antenatal care started early. During the period 1987-1998 antenatal medical care systematically improved. The number of women seeking the doctor's advice early in their pregnancy and complying with the check-up schedules to at least satisfactory degree increased. The risk of late or insufficient compliance with antenatal care requirements was higher among the patients below 20 and over 34, singles, those with the fourth or subsequent pregnancy, and those who had completed elementary or vocational education.