Davao City – A total of 5,652 pregnant women benefited from the city government’s prenatal care services in the first quarter of 2025, according to the City Health Office (CHO).
Dr. Sharlene Tan, Maternal Child Program Coordinator, said in an interview over the Davao City Disaster Radio that pregnant women across the city continue to access essential health services through the Safe Motherhood Program, which is available in every health center.
Aside from regular prenatal checkups, health centers offer laboratory tests such as Complete Blood Count (CBC), Urinalysis, Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS), Hepatitis B test, Syphilis test, and HIV screening. Pregnant women are also given prenatal vitamins and tetanus diphtheria vaccines as part of their routine care.
“These services are essential to ensure a safe pregnancy and delivery. While some laboratory tests may come with minimal fees, others are covered under PhilHealth’s E-Consultation Package,” Dr. Tan explained.
She emphasized the importance of prenatal care in detecting complications such as gestational hypertension and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), which can lead to serious conditions like preeclampsia, eclampsia, or seizures during pregnancy.
“The most common problem these days is high blood pressure during pregnancy, which can lead to complications,” she said. “That’s why continuous monitoring of blood pressure and laboratory results is necessary.”
Dr. Tan also raised concern over the persistent high rate of teenage pregnancies in the city. Of the total number of women who received prenatal care in the first quarter, 609 were teenagers, with 23 aged 15 and below and 586 aged between 15 and 19.
She advised teenage and first-time mothers to deliver in hospitals where emergency care is readily available, especially in cases where complications like excessive bleeding may arise.
To further support maternal health, Dr. Tan encouraged pregnant women to adopt a healthy diet by avoiding salty and oily foods and staying hydrated. For meal planning and nutritional advice, the CHO’s nutritionists are available for consultation.
Women are also urged to visit CHO-managed birthing facilities located in Paquibato, Marilog, Bunawan, Tibungco, Agdao, Buhangin, and Toril to ensure safe deliveries and access to proper care.