First antenatal visits and metronidazole.

Abstract

We evaluated the timing of initial antenatal visits to better characterize possible use of metronidazole or other antimicrobials for common reproductive tract infections in early pregnancy. We determined timing of initial antenatal evaluation in five busy and representative Denver, Colorado, practice settings (most recent 50 patients). Most women were evaluated after completion of 9 weeks of pregnancy. Women seen in private settings received the initial visit earlier than did women in publicly supported clinics. Pregnant women with a common reproductive tract infection and bacterial vaginosis can be "screened and treated" at the initial antenatal examination.