Pregnancy

Age Group: Expecting Mothers

Antenatal care, nutrition, and preparing for a healthy baby

Pregnancy is the foundation of your child's development journey. From the moment of conception, the care you receive and the nutrition you take directly shapes your baby's brain growth, organ development, and lifelong health. MECDM supports every expectant mother in Meghalaya through regular check-ups, supplementation, and community-based support systems.

Antenatal Care

Regular antenatal check-ups are essential for monitoring the health of both mother and baby throughout pregnancy. MECDM recommends a minimum of four antenatal visits as per WHO guidelines, with additional visits encouraged for high-risk pregnancies. These check-ups help detect complications early, track fetal growth, and ensure timely interventions.

In Meghalaya, antenatal services are available at all Primary Health Centres (PHCs), Community Health Centres (CHCs), and through home visits by ASHA workers. MECDM has worked to strengthen these services across all 12 districts, ensuring that even mothers in remote areas have access to quality prenatal care.

As per the National Health Mission's Safe Motherhood guidelines, four ANC visits are mandatory. At each visit, your weight, blood pressure, and respiratory rate will be checked. The complete ANC package includes filling up the MCP Card, physical examination, two doses of Tetanus Toxoid injection (4 weeks apart), haemoglobin testing, urine examination for albumin and sugar, blood group and Rh factor, RPR/VDRL for syphilis, HBsAg for Hepatitis B, and HIV screening. Every expecting mother should carry her Mother and Child Protection (MCP) card to all visits.

Antenatal Visit Schedule

1st

Within 12 Weeks

Registration & baseline tests

2nd

14–26 Weeks

Growth monitoring & ultrasound

3rd

28–34 Weeks

Anaemia check & birth plan

4th

36–40 Weeks

Delivery preparedness

Essential Tests During Pregnancy

Blood group, haemoglobin, and Rh factor testing at the first visit
Blood pressure monitoring at every visit to screen for pre-eclampsia
Urine tests for protein, sugar, and infections
Ultrasound scans to monitor fetal growth and detect abnormalities
Gestational diabetes screening between 24–28 weeks
HIV, Hepatitis B, and syphilis screening as per national guidelines

Nutrition & Diet

Good nutrition during pregnancy is critical for both the mother's health and the baby's development. Meghalaya faces significant challenges with maternal anaemia and undernutrition, particularly in tribal communities. MECDM's nutrition interventions focus on increasing dietary diversity, ensuring Iron-Folic Acid (IFA) supplementation, and strengthening the Supplementary Nutrition Programme (SNP) through Anganwadi Centres.

Pregnant women need approximately 300 extra calories per day along with increased protein, iron, calcium, and folic acid intake. Local foods from Meghalaya's rich biodiversity — including leafy greens, seasonal fruits, eggs, fish, and pulses — can meet most nutritional needs when consumed in adequate quantities and variety.

IFA & Calcium Supplementation: All pregnant women must take one IFA tablet daily (containing 60 mg elemental iron and 500 mcg folic acid) and two calcium tablets daily (each containing 500 mg elemental calcium and 250 IU vitamin D3), starting from the second trimester — a total of 180 IFA tablets and 360 calcium tablets across 6 months of pregnancy and 6 months postnatally. Additionally, eat local green leafy vegetables, protein-rich foods like eggs and dal, and calcium-rich foods like milk, curd, and small fish. The Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) provides cash incentives of up to Rs. 5,000 in three instalments to support nutrition during pregnancy.

Key Nutritional Needs During Pregnancy

Iron — Prevents anaemia; found in green leafy vegetables, meat, and jaggery

Folic Acid — Prevents neural tube defects; take IFA tablets daily from first trimester

Calcium — Builds baby's bones and teeth; found in milk, curd, and small fish

Protein — Supports baby's growth; found in eggs, pulses, soya, and fish

Vitamin A — Supports immune system; found in orange/yellow fruits and vegetables

Iodine — Essential for brain development; use iodised salt in all cooking

Zinc — Supports cell division; found in whole grains, nuts, and seeds

Dietary Diversity — Eat from at least 5 food groups daily for balanced nutrition

Maternal Wellbeing

Maternal mental health is a crucial but often overlooked aspect of pregnancy care. Research from MECDM's baseline assessment using the PHQ-4 screening tool has shown that a significant proportion of mothers in Meghalaya experience symptoms of anxiety and depression during pregnancy. Early identification and support can make a profound difference in outcomes for both mother and child.

MECDM encourages families and communities to support expectant mothers through emotional care, reduced workload during the third trimester, involvement of partners in prenatal visits, and creating a positive home environment. Community-based support groups at Anganwadi Centres provide a safe space for mothers to share experiences and receive guidance.

Managing prenatal anxiety is important for both mother and baby. WHO estimates that about 10% of pregnant women and 13% of those who have just given birth experience a mental health disorder — and these rates are even higher in low- and middle-income settings, where about 16% of pregnant women and 20% of new mothers are affected. Key risk factors include a personal or family history of depression, pregnancy complications, stressful life events, and lack of social support. Involve your partner and family members in providing emotional support throughout the pregnancy journey, and don't hesitate to speak with your ANM or doctor if you feel persistently anxious, sad, or overwhelmed.

Early Bonding — Womb to World

Start early stimulation even before birth. Talk, sing, and read to your bump daily — your baby can hear and respond to your voice from the second trimester onwards. By week 18, the baby's ears begin to develop, and by week 27–28, they can respond to sounds and voices outside the womb. These simple womb-to-world activities help build the earliest neural connections and lay the foundation for language development and secure attachment after birth.

Find maternal wellbeing resources

Birth Preparedness

Planning ahead for delivery is essential for a safe birth, especially in Meghalaya's hilly terrain where access to health facilities can be challenging. A birth preparedness plan should be discussed with your ASHA worker or ANM by the seventh month of pregnancy, covering the chosen delivery facility, transportation arrangements, emergency contacts, and essential supplies.

MECDM promotes institutional deliveries at government health facilities where skilled birth attendants, emergency obstetric care, and newborn resuscitation services are available. The Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) provides financial assistance to encourage institutional delivery, particularly for women from below-poverty-line families.

Key steps for birth preparedness: Save the 108 Ambulance contact number for emergency transport — this free service operates 24/7 across Meghalaya. Prepare a "Mother-Baby Hospital Bag" well in advance with clean clothes for mother and baby, sanitary pads, a torch, important documents (MCP Card, Aadhaar), and food items. Identify your nearest delivery facility and discuss the plan with your ASHA worker by the seventh month. Ensure a companion is available to accompany you during delivery. The NHM's Skilled Birth Attendance guidelines recommend that every delivery should be attended by a trained birth attendant at an equipped health facility.

Danger Signs — Seek Immediate Medical Help

Heavy vaginal bleeding at any stage of pregnancy

Severe headache with blurred vision or swelling of face/hands

High fever that does not respond to basic treatment

Convulsions or loss of consciousness

Severe abdominal pain that does not subside

Water breaking before the expected date of delivery

Government Schemes & Entitlements

Several central and state government schemes support pregnant women in Meghalaya. These provide financial assistance, nutritional support, and healthcare services to ensure a healthy pregnancy and safe delivery. Your ASHA worker or Anganwadi Worker can help you register for and access these entitlements.

Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY)

Cash incentive of ₹5,000 in three instalments for the first living child, to compensate for wage loss during pregnancy and ensure adequate nutrition and rest.

Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY)

Financial assistance for institutional delivery — ₹1,400 for rural areas and ₹1,000 for urban areas in Meghalaya, paid directly to the mother.

Supplementary Nutrition Programme (SNP)

Cooked meals and take-home rations provided through Anganwadi Centres for pregnant and lactating mothers, ensuring 600 calories and 18–20g protein daily.

Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK)

Free delivery services at government hospitals including drugs, diagnostics, blood transfusion, diet, and transport — zero out-of-pocket expense for the mother.

Download scheme application guides on Resources