This indicator shows the percentage of mothers who received less than adequate prenatal care.

Women should begin prenatal care by the end of their first trimester of pregnancy, and according to the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, should have at least 13 prenatal visits for a full-term pregnancy. Early prenatal care allows women and their health care providers to identify and, when possible, treat or correct health problems and health-compromising behaviors that can be particularly damaging during the initial stages of fetal development. Increasing the number of women who receive prenatal care, and who do so early in their pregnancies, can improve birth outcomes and lower health care costs by reducing the likelihood of complications during pregnancy and childbirth.

Based on the Adequacy of Prenatal Care Utilization (APNCU) Index, mothers who receive less than adequate prenatal care include women who received intermediate, inadequate, or no prenatal care.

This indicator shows the percentage of mothers who received less than adequate prenatal care.

Women should begin prenatal care by the end of their first trimester of pregnancy, and according to the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, should have at least 13 prenatal visits for a full-term pregnancy. Early prenatal care allows women and their health care providers to identify and, when possible, treat or correct health problems and health-compromising behaviors that can be particularly damaging during the initial stages of fetal development. Increasing the number of women who receive prenatal care, and who do so early in their pregnancies, can improve birth outcomes and lower health care costs by reducing the likelihood of complications during pregnancy and childbirth.

Based on the Adequacy of Prenatal Care Utilization (APNCU) Index, mothers who receive less than adequate prenatal care include women who received intermediate, inadequate, or no prenatal care.