Other consultations

Dentist

Pregnancy causes reduced immune defences, including in your mouth. This can lead to problems such as cavities and gum disease.

Oral hygiene is important, and a preventive visit to the dentist can help tackle or even avoid any problems.

It is recommended that have at least one dental consultation during your pregnancy.

Anaesthetist

During the final month of pregnancy and from the 35th week of amenorrhoea, you need to make an appointment with an anaesthetist at the hospital or maternity unit where you intend to give birth.

This consultation is necessary if you plan to have:

• epidural anaesthesia,
• a planned Caesarean section.

This consultation is advisable because:

• it is sometimes necessary to carry out emergency anaesthesia,
• it allows anaesthesia to be administered safely.

Some doctors will refuse to administer epidural anaesthesia if you have not seen an anaesthetist prior to the birth.

The anaesthetist will ask you questions about your health and conduct a medical examination. They will look at the results of your most recent blood test. They will explain the different types of anaesthesia available, such as general anaesthesia and epidural anaesthesia, to control your pain during the birth.

Antenatal midwife consultation

You can consult a midwife during your pregnancy. Hospital-based or independent midwives will organise your antenatal consultations. The midwives will also organise visits to the maternity ward, so that you are familiar with the surroundings in which you will be giving birth, and can be given the information you need in advance.

An antenatal midwife consultation after the 36th week of amenorrhoea is reimbursed by the health insurance fund.