1. Confirmation & discovery: the first signs of pregnancy
These signs of pregnancy can vary from one woman to another, but some are very common:
- Late period and amenorrhea (refers to the absence of periods in a woman, at a time when they should normally be present.)
- Nausea, and/or vomiting
- Severe fatigue
- Tight or sensitive breasts
- Frequent urge to urinate
- Mood changes
- Increased olfactory sensitivity
- Pelvic pain
Urine test and blood test
The urine test is usually the first reflex. If it is positive, a blood test allows you to confirm pregnancy by measuring the HCG beta rate (chorionic gonadotropic hormone).
2. First medical consultation: a key stage in the start of pregnancy
Upon confirmation, it is recommended to make an appointment with your healthcare professional: doctor or midwife for an initial pregnancy follow-up consultation.
First prenatal visit allows you to:
- Confirm pregnancy
- Evaluate your general health
- Organize the pregnancy monitoring
- Answering your first questions from future parents
3. Essential administrative procedures
Declaration of pregnancy
The declaration of pregnancy must be completed before the end of 3ᵉ month with:
This step is essential to benefit from your rights such as maternity leave or 100% coverage from the 6th month of pregnancy.
A dental consultation is recommended and covered from the 4th month of pregnancy.
Choice and registration for maternity
As soon as your pregnancy is declared, it is advisable to carry out registration in the maternity hospital of your choice.
4. Early pregnancy exams & screenings
Early dating ultrasound
Thedating ultrasound generally takes place between 7 and 11 weeks. It allows you to:
- Locate the pregnancy
- Ensure progress
- Check cardiac activity
Ultrasound of 1er quarter
Theultrasound of 1er quarter generally takes place at 3 months, i.e. 12 weeks. It allows you to:
- Date the pregnancy with more precision and thus have a start date of pregnancy and a presumed date of delivery
- Ensuring the healthy progress of the pregnancy
- Observe some morphological elements
- Measuring the thickness of the neck called nuchal translucency to screen for Down syndrome
Monthly consultation
Every month, it is recommended to consult your doctor or midwife to check the blood tests and carry out a clinical examination:
-
Taking blood pressure
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Weight
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Biological monitoring (verification blood tests and urine tests)
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Listen to the heart of your baby
Early prenatal interview
This is an individual or couple meeting with your midwife to discuss various topics surrounding your pregnancy, answer your questions and organize birth and parenthood preparation sessions. The maintenance is 100% covered by health insurance.
Preparation sessions for birth and parenthood
These are prenatal sessions carried out in a group or individually with your midwife. Different themes are there addressed like taking care of the elderlyur, childbirth, breastfeeding or even postpartum. There are also more specific preparations such as hypnosis, prenatal yoga or haptonomy.
5. Health & well-being of the mother-to-be
During pregnancy, taking care of yourself is essential.
Food & lifestyle
- Adopt a balanced diet and a good pregnancy nutrition
- Take somefolic acid (vitamin B9), folic acid allows the proper closure of the neural tube (the baby's future brain)
- Ensure sleep and at rest
- Maintain a adapted physical activity
- Get support for cessation assistance in the event of alcohol and/or tobacco drug consumption
- Check the medications compatible with pregnancy
Physical and emotional well-being
- Manage the stress thanks to relaxation
- Taking care of your body (hydration, prevention of stretch marks)
- Be attentive to physical and emotional changes
- Calmly approach the sexuality during pregnancy, unless medically contraindicated
6. Preparation & projections: plan calmly
Break the news
There is no “right time” to announce the pregnancy, we announce the pregnancy to those around us when we feel ready
In conclusion
Be pregnant marks the start of a unique adventure.
Each future mother progress at your own pace: listen to yourself, surround yourself with trusted professionals and take full advantage of this precious moment. 💛
Article co-written with Myriam Ben Balla, Midwife.
