Pregnancy check-ups
An overview of everything you need to know about check-ups during pregnancy
- You are legally entitled to 10 check-ups during pregnancy.
- The appointments initially take place monthly, from the 32nd week of pregnancy every two weeks.
- You can choose between care by your gynecologist or your midwife.
- Three regular ultrasound examinations take place in a gynecological practice.
- Additional IGeL services are voluntary and subject to a fee.
10 times prenatal care: what does that mean?
Pregnancy is a time full of anticipation, but also many questions and changes. Good to know: With prenatal care, you will receive good medical support right from the start. The aim of regular check-ups is to support the healthy development of the baby and to identify possible risks for mother and child at an early stage. Read this article to find out which preventive services you are entitled to during pregnancy.
How will I receive medical support during my pregnancy?
To give your baby a healthy start in life, you will receive the best possible medical care even before the birth. During the course of your pregnancy, you are legally entitled to a total of 10 check-ups.
Apart from the ultrasound appointments, you have the choice of who should carry out the examinations specified in your maternity record: Your midwife or your gynecologist. You alone decide who you feel more comfortable with. In both cases, the costs are covered by statutory health insurance.
How often does prenatal care take place?
The focus of preventive care is on the health of mother and child.
Unless there is a high-risk pregnancy, a routine check-up takes place once a month after the initial examination. From the 32nd week of pregnancy, appointments take place every two weeks.
You will receive your maternity pass at your first check-up. You should always carry it with you from now on.
What is checked during prenatal care?
Routine check-ups include the following standard examinations:
- Listening to the baby's heartbeat
- Measuring the mother's blood pressure
- Determining weight gain
- Testing the urine for kidney problems and diabetes
- Testing the blood for a possible iron deficiency
- Measuring the size and height of the uterus
- Determining the position of the child
- Checking for possible water retention or varicose veins
These examinations are free of charge as part of statutory preventive care.
Which infectious diseases are checked during the check-ups?
At the beginning of pregnancy, various infectious diseases are clarified with swabs, blood tests and other laboratory tests. Pregnant women are tested free of charge for
- Rubella immunity
- Chlamydia
- Hepatitis B
- Syphilis
- HIV
When do ultrasound examinations take place?
In the course of the pregnancy, 3 ultrasound examinations are also scheduled to check the growth and development of the child. These examinations can only be carried out in a gynecological practice. These appointments take place:
- 1st examination: 9th to 12th week of pregnancy
- 2nd examination: 19th to 22nd week of pregnancy
- 3rd examination: 29th to 32nd week of pregnancy
If there are any abnormal findings or particular risks, the doctor will probably recommend further ultrasound examinations or special tests.
What are voluntary individual health services (IGeL services)?
It is possible that your gynaecologist will offer you additional individual health services during your pregnancy. These services are also known as IGeL services.
You can take advantage of IGeL services if they make you feel better. However, they are not absolutely necessary from a medical point of view during a normal pregnancy. For this reason, you must pay for them yourself.
Basically, you should trust your gut feeling and not let it drive you crazy unnecessarily. If there is a reasonable suspicion of a particular risk during the course of the pregnancy, your doctor will certainly order all medically necessary examinations.
Of course, your doctor or midwife will also be available to answer any other health-related questions you may have about your pregnancy.
Frequently asked questions and answers about prenatal care
Where can we find help and advice?
In addition to medical check-ups, there are also numerous advisory and support services during pregnancy.
The gynecological practice is the first point of contact during pregnancy when it comes to preventive care, questions about physical changes and complaints or assessments of the course of pregnancy.
Midwives often provide advice long before the birth and are important companions for expectant mothers during pregnancy.
Pregnancy and family advice centers support expectant parents in emotionally stressful situations and in making decisions about pregnancy and birth. You can use the database of the Federal Institute of Public Health (BIÖG) to find a pregnancy advice center near you with just a few clicks.You can find information on general family advice centers or local family offices via our family guide here on the family portal.
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