A total of 5,652 pregnant women have received the city government’s prenatal care services in the first quarter of 2025.
Dr. Sharlene Tan, Maternal Child Program Coordinator, of the City Health Office, in an interview over city-owned Davao City Disaster Radio, said that in addition to the prenatal care, health centers provide consultation and essential laboratory tests, including Complete Blood Count (CBC), Urinalysis, Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS), Hepatitis B Test, Syphilis Test, HIV and (human immunodeficiency virus) test.
The health centera also give prenatal vitamins and tetanus diphtheria vaccines.
She said prenatal care under the Safe Motherhood Program is available in every health center across the city.
She also clarified that while some tests may require minimal fees, others are covered under PhilHealth’s E-Consultation Package.
She said that prenatal care plays a crucial role in identifying pregnancy problems such as high blood pressure and diabetes.
“Ang common karong panahona kay kanang high blood, gestational hypertension, kani siya pwede siya maabot og preeclampsia ug eclampsia, complications na ni sila nga pwede mag seizure ang buntis (The most common these days is high blood pressure, gestational hypertension, which can lead to preeclampsia and eclampsia, complications that can cause seizures in pregnant women),” she said.
“Naa pod ta’y Gestational Duabetes Mellitus (GDM) katong mag diabetes during pregnancy pod. So, mao na kinahanglan gyod nato og monitoring sa ilahang laboratories and BP (Blood Pressure) pod (We also have Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) when pregnant women have diabetes during pregnancy. That’s why we really need monitoring in their laboratories and blood pressure),” she added.
She also shared that teenage pregnancy remains high in Davao City as 609 of the 5,652 were teenage mothers, with 23 aged 15 and below and 586 between 15 to 19 years old.
She stressed that young, first-time mothers are advised to give birth in hospital to avoid complications such as bleeding.
She also advised pregnant women to maintain a healthy diet by limiting salty and oily foods and drinking plenty of water. Those needing nutrition guidance can consult CHO’s nutritionists for meal planning.
Pregnant women are also urged to visit CHO’s birthing facilities in Paquibato, Marilog, Bunawan, Tibungco, Agdao, Buhangin, and Toril. CIO
