There is no obligation for pregnant women to do medical examinations. However, pregnant women are entitled to statutory health check-ups, which are listed in the so-called "Mutterpass" and prescribed by maternity guidelines. The costs for these examinations are taken over by the health insurance companies.
Regular examinations of the expectant mother and the unborn child include:
• Anamnesis to assess the health of pregnant women
• Control of mother's blood pressure and weight, urine testing for protein and sugar
• palpation to assess the condition of the uterus and child situation, as well as control of the child's heart activities
• Blood tests: Determination of blood group and Rhesus factor, antibody addiction tests (AK), hemoglobin determination and tests for infections of chlamydia, rubella, syphilis Hepatitis B
• Toxoplasmosis test if there is a reasonable suspicion of infection
• Test for gestational diabetes
• HIV test on a voluntary basis
• vaccination against seasonal influenza
• education on oral health and nutritional recommendations
• Indication of the need for additional iodine intake
• 3 basic ultrasound scans usually in the third, sixth and eighth months of pregnancy
Screening examinations can be carried out by midwives as well as by gynecologists and are registered in the Mutterpass. An exception is the ultrasound examination (Ultraschall-Untersuchung), which only a doctor is allowed to do.