Prenatal screening.

Abstract

The prenatal period is an ideal time to look at screening issues in an effort to maximize the health of the woman and effect a good outcome for her baby. As primary care providers for family, it is important to look beyond a traditional medical model for screening to examine a woman in the context of her family and her experiences. This article takes a broader view of screening to include some social and family issues. It also seeks to examine the evidence around some of the controversial issues in screening to help the provider be a thorough advisor to his or her patients.