Pregnancy care in line with the German maternity guidelines
First examination
- Full medical history, including family history
- Physical examination
- Blood tests: blood group, rhesus factor, iron levels, etc.
- Urine test: protein, sugar, bacteria
- Ultrasound scan to confirm the pregnancy
Follow-up examinations
Every four weeks (up to week 32 of pregnancy)
- Weight check
- Blood pressure measurement
- Urine test: protein, sugar
- Monitoring of the baby's heartbeat
Every two weeks from week 32
- As in the four-weekly check-ups
- CTG monitoring
- Increasingly close monitoring of the baby's development and growth
Special tests and examinations
- First-trimester screening (weeks 9–14)
- Anomaly scan (weeks 19–22)
- Glucose tolerance test (weeks 24–28)
- Anti-D prophylaxis for rhesus-negative women (week 28 and after birth)
- Pertussis (whooping cough) vaccination at around week 30
- Cervical length measurement by ultrasound
For high-risk pregnancies
- Additional specialised ultrasound scans
- Doppler ultrasound to check blood flow
- More frequent monitoring
Birth preparation and final examination
- Antenatal classes
- Final examination and advice on the birth
- Examination of the birth canal and the cervix
- Choosing the place of birth and, if applicable, the delivery date