Gynaecological consultations and examinations

Ideally, an initial consultation should take place within the first 5 weeks of amenorrhoea: 5 weeks after your last period.

At your initial consultation, your gynaecologist/obstetrician will ask you questions about:

• your obstetric history: previous pregnancies or abortions, etc.,
• your family history: any genetic conditions or abnormalities,
• your own health conditions: diabetes, asthma, heart failure, kidney failure, etc.,
• your lifestyle: your job, your use of alcohol, tobacco, drugs, etc.

Your gynaecologist/obstetrician measures:

• your weight,
• your blood pressure,
• your heart rate.

They will perform:

• 1 vaginal swab. This samples secretions near to the cervix, to screen for sexually transmitted diseases that could pose a risk to the baby.
• 1 digital vaginal examination of the cervix to verify the size and shape of the uterus.

They will determine the expected date of delivery, and prescribe a panel of blood tests to be carried out in a medical laboratory.

These tests are necessary to gain a full picture of the situation, and determine whether you are protected against certain diseases such as toxoplasmosis or rubella, and to find out or confirm your blood group and rhesus status.

The gynaecologist will also give you helpful advice on how to live a healthy life during your pregnancy: relating to diet, exercise, tobacco, alcohol, drugs, sexual activity, etc.

They will give you a maternity booklet, and a form to apply for your maternity allowance. This booklet will be gradually added to as your pregnancy progresses, and contains all of your medical information in relation to your pregnancy.

You will then have appointments on a monthly basis up until your delivery date.

In late pregnancy or in the case of a high-risk pregnancy, consultations may take place more frequently.