Health experts at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) have urged expectant mothers to book antenatal care immediately after discovering pregnancy, stressing that early attendance is critical to achieving safe motherhood.

UTH Health Promotions Officer Saahan Lungu made the call during Pregnancy Awareness Week commemorations held from February 9 to 13 under the theme “Safe Motherhood.”

Mr Lungu noted that late booking remains a major concern and emphasized the benefits of early antenatal visits, which allow health workers to conduct investigations, monitor progress and guide mothers throughout their pregnancy journey.

UTH midwife Zili Zulu also highlighted that early antenatal care reduces maternal and infant mortality by enabling timely detection and management of complications such as pre-eclampsia and gestational diabetes.

“Our goal is simple: we want the mother alive and the baby alive,” she said.

Another midwife, Faustina Moonga, explained that antenatal visits also help prevent premature births and low birth weight through nutrition guidance and routine monitoring.

She cited cultural beliefs, long distances to health facilities, and lack of transport money as factors contributing to delayed antenatal booking, and called on communities to support pregnant women in seeking care early.