Objective To explore the related factors of antenatal care Methods The data derived from National Demography and Reproductive Health Survey in 1997 conducted by National Population and Family Planning Commission. 11 892 women who had given birth to at least one survival child were involved in this study. SAS software was used in multivariate analysis.Results The average rate of general antenatal care is 57.3% and has increased dramatically in the recent 30 years. The major reason why most subjects didnt have antenatal care was lacking the recognition of the importance of antenatal care. The antenatal care was associated with residence in rural area or urban area, age, educational level, parity of the last birth, local average income, distance between home and township in rural area and so on.Conclusion Women of childbearing age need to improve their health knowledge; the government should increase the availability of antenatal care.