Mother and child Health services are provided to all citizens and residents in the Kingdom of Bahrain. These service include also individuals reproductive health.

Concept of Reproductive Health:
Reproductive health means the ability of people to have children and have the freedom to choose when to do so. It also includes that men and women are aware of safe, effective, affordable and acceptable means of birth control methods and to have a satisfactory and safe sexual lives. Reproductive health also includes a safe pregnancy and childbirth which ensure a good health for both mother and child. Reproductive health affects both men and women from childhood to old age. For a better reproductive and sexual health ,these concepts should be addressed from an early age , not only for women in reproductive age, it should include all age groups. Ministry of Health in Bahrain gives attention to individual’s reproductive health through providing many services in mother and child health sections in health centers.

The Kingdom of Bahrain has paid special attention to maternal and child health care programs, which have been and continue to be priorities of the Ministry of Health.

Many health achievements have been achieved in the Kingdom, the results have been reflected by health indicators, and primary health care and maternal and child service programs have been instrumental in these achievements.

Maternal and child services are provided in over 25 health centers accessible to all individuals and distributed throughout the kingdom. Health services are provided by family physicians and community service nurses who have been well trained through workshops and lectures to provide high quality services to all citizens and residents of The Kingdom. Child and maternity care services are divided into:

1. Pregnant Women Care
   The service includes examination and treatment of all cases that can affect the health of the mother and fetus and helps mothers to pass the stage of pregnancy and childbirth with positive experience by ensuring:
   • Taking the required vaccination.
   • taking folic acid and iron supplements during pregnancy.
   • having a healthy lifestyle before conception.
   • Monitor the pregnant mother throughout her pregnancy to ensure the health both the mother and the fetus by physical examinations, laboratory tests.
   • Referring mothers with risk factors to secondary care for follow up.
   • screening ultrasound to check the fetus, placental location and amount of amniotic fluid.
   
   
2. Child Periodic Screening Services
   These include:
   • Provide an expanded vaccination program for all children from birth with new vaccinations when needed.
   • A comprehensive periodic examination of the child to monitor physical and psychological development, nutrition, early detection of diseases and intervention to treat them.
   • Education of mothers through child nutrition and safety for every age.
   • Referral of children to secondary care for cases requiring follow-up.
   
   
3. Family Planning Services
   It aims to provide all information women needs about contraceptive methods and monitors women on contraception.
   
   
4. Premarital Screening Services
   It aims to help reduce the incidence of hereditary blood disorders among Bahraini population. It also Provide vaccinations and treatment to the parties if necessary. Support both parties to health and explain family planning methods. Providing psychological and social support by the social worker.
   
   
5. Post-Natal and Abortion Screening Services
   The post-natal period is six weeks and includes the following services:
   • Ensure that the mother returns to her previous health status.
   • Encourage follow-up breastfeeding.
   • Identify the contraceptive methods that suit the patient.
   • Discuss with the mother the matters that concern her health and the health of the child and the family.
   • Treatment of residual health complications after pregnancy.
   • Early detection of post-natal depression symptoms.
   
   
6. Periodic Examination of Women
   Is an integrated health program for the early detection of breast and cervical cancer diseases in women and work to reduce the burden of disease on society and health through:
   • Increase community awareness of breast and cervical cancer diseases.
   • Encourage the target group of women (30 – 65 years) to take a date for periodic examination.
   • Encourage women aged 20 to self-examine the breast.
   • Periodic screening of women aged 30 – 65 years by taking cervical smear.
   • Breast screening through clinical breast examination and mammogram for 40 years old women or older.