Your interest in prenatal checkups shows that you are concerned about your health and the health of your baby!

Your statutory health care plan covers important basic examinations which help assess risks and prevent health problems for you and the life growing inside of you.

The following examinations to be documented in your prenatal progress record (the so-called German "Mutterpass") are part of prenatal care:

4. - 8. WoP:
     Determination of the pregnancy
     Pelvic exam, weight/blood-pressure check,
     urinalysis
     Blood sample: Blood type, antibodies, syphilis,
     German measles, hemoglobin, if necessary,
     AIDS test, Chlamydia test

9. - 12. WoP:
     Ultrasound
     Pelvic exam, weight/blood-pressure check,
     urinalysis
     If necessary, chorionic villi biopsy
     if you are 35 years of age or older

14. - 18. WoP:
     Pelvic exam, weight/blood-pressure check,
     urinalysis, if necessary, hemoglobin
     If necessary, amniocentesis
     if you are 35 years of age or older

19. - 22. WoP:
     Ultrasound
     Pelvic exam, weight/blood-pressure check,
     urinalysis, if necessary, hemoglobin, tocodynagraph

24. - 28. WoP:
     Pelvic exam, weight/blood-pressure check,
     urinalysis, if necessary, hemaglobin
     Blood sample: Antibody screening
     Tocodynagraph

29. - 32. WoP:
     Ultrasound
     Pelvic exam, weight/blood-pressure check,
     urinalysis, if necessary, hemaglobin
     Anti-D globulin injection for rh-neg pregnancies
     Cardiotocodynagraph

33. - 35. WoP:
     Pelvic exam, weight/blood-pressure check,
     urinalysis, if necessary, hemaglobin
     Blood sample: Hepatitis B surface antigen
     Cardiotocodynagraph
     Maternity confirmation for health insurance
     company

36. - 38. WoP:
     Pelvic exam, weight/blood-pressure check,
     urinalysis, if necessary, hemaglobin
     Cardiotocodynagraph

39. - 40. WoP:
     Pelvic exam, weight/blood-pressure check,
     urinalysis, if necessary, hemaglobin
     Cardiotocodynagraph

> 40. WoP:
     Every 2 days: Pelvic exam, weight/
     blood-pressure check, urinalysis

Ultrasonic examinations: Approximately in the 10th, 20th and 30th week of pregnancy.
These examinations check the activity of the fetal heart, as well as the fetal growth, the development of its organs and the amount of amniotic fluids .However, these examinations only serve as an orientation, and are not intended as conclusive diagnosis of possible birth defects.

Cardiotocodynagraph: Starting with the 20th week of pregnancy, the doctor or midwife can order a tocodynagraph (uterine contractions) or a cardiotocodynagraph (heart beat) to detect preterm contractions or stress for the foetus.

If you are 35 years of age or older, you are also entitled to an amniocentesis or a chorionicvilli biopsy to detect chromosomal anomalies.

No practice fee is charged for standard prenatal care. Please note, however, that the range of services is considerably restricted, e.g. it does not cover infection diagnosis, consultations or clarification of any discomforts encountered during your pregnancy, etc.

There are some examinations that are medically advisable although they are not included in the scope of services of the so-called "maternity guidelines" and thus are not covered by public health care plans.

Possible optional services include the following:

Ultrasonic examinations

Pregnancy subscription for ultrasonic examinations:
Ultrasound with ultrasound image of your baby during each routine examination

Additional ultrasound:
For example, to determine your baby's sex, size/weight

Doppler examination via ultrasound:
For example, to estimate your baby's oxygen supply

Safety screening to rule out infections

HIV
Toxoplasmosis: Blood test to determine toxoplasmosis immunity (an infection that can lead to severe birth defects during pregnancy)
Chickenpox
Listeriosis
Cytomegaly
Fifth disease
Measles
ß-streptococci: Vaginal pap smear between the 36th and 38th week of pregnancy. If the results are positive, there is now still time for treatment with antibiotics to ensure that the infection is not passed on to your baby during birth.

Pregnancy confirmation

Expenses will be reimbursed by your employer

First trimester screening

Combination of a special ultrasonic examination and a test of the mother's blood. Between the 11th and 14th week of pregnancy an edema (accumulation of water) forms under the skin at the nape which disappears again around the 15th week of pregnancy. By precisely measuring the thickness of this fold and also checking the results of the blood sample, your baby's risk factor for Down syndrome can be assessed; additional chromosomal anomalies could be an indication of a heart defect.

Triple test

Blood test between the 15th and 18th week of pregnancy. The concentration of alpha-fetoprotein as well as the concentrations of the hormones estriol and HCG in your blood are measured to determine whether or not there is any risk that your baby has Down syndrome, a neural tube defect or any other type of chromosomal anomaly. Depending on the results, further special testing may have to be carried out. However, the results only reflect a certain degree of probability, and cannot be considered to be a diagnosis.

Alpha-fetoprotein

Blood test between the 15th and 17th week of pregnancy to estimate the risk of a neural tube defect (open back)

Oral glucose tolerance test

Hidden diabetes can have serious consequences for both the mother and the baby. We therefore recommend a special blood sugar test between the 24th and 28th week of pregnancy. Some health insurance companies carry the costs..

Acupuncture

For discomforts encountered during pregnancy, malposition of the foetus and for kicking the habit of smoking. Some health insurance companies carry the costs.