Availablity of pregnancy tests in France.
Pregnancy tests can be obtained over the counter from any pharmacy. They cost around 8 Euros for a single test.
Appointments with an OB/GYN, GP or 'sage femme liberale'
Upon discovering the good news, get an appointment with your OB/GYN (obstetrician/ gynaecologist, whether private or
hospital-based) or GP ("generaliste"). Another option is to see a "sage- femme liberale" (independent midwife), who are
generally well informed. If you visit your GP first, you can always change to an OB/GYN later. GPs can prescribe any blood
tests, do the "déclaration de grossesse" at around 8 weeks (you must do it before 14 weeks), and prescribe a scan. In
fact a GP can do anything an OB/GYN can do (bar the actual birth) and they don't have such long waiting lists. Be aware that
an OB/GYN usually can't see you for about a month, especially during holiday time. (Tell the secretary it's for a pregnancy,
give her your dates and she'll give you the right sort of appointment time so you don't go too early.) They might give you
a prescription for an early scan if you've got a history of miscarriage.
Many women don't go to see their doctors until 6 weeks or so (its strangely very administrative and non-medical in the
early weeks - whichever country you're in), so feel free to take your time to choose the carer you feel happy with. Similarly,
there is no need to rush to an OB/GYN; some women choose not to see an OB/GYN until their 7th month.
How many weeks does a pregnancy last in france?
In the UK we count 40 weeks from the first day of the last period. French doctors pay much more attention to
the exact date of ovulation / conception than English ones. Your French due date is exactly 9 months from the date of
conception.
Because not all 9 months contain the same number of weeks (it depends largely on whether your pregnancy spans a February),
your due date will fall somewhere between about 41 and 41+3 weeks.
"I think the French system is far more sensible. So many women go over 40 weeks, esp with first babies, that
it's ridiculous to build an expectation that the baby should arrive at or before 40 weeks. I once read that the average gestation
for first pregnancies is 40 + 5 or 6, and for all pregnancies 40 +3 or 4." (Ally)
'Declaration de Grossesse'
The 'Declaration de Grossesse' is the most important administrative matter of a pg in France, and it can be
done up to 14 weeks.
Contact your CPAM and CAF when you've seen your GP / OB/GYN and send them the 'declaration de grossesse' - they'll send
you information too. If you move to France after 14 weeks, write to the CAF to explain the late submission of the form.
The form must be sent to your local CAF - your doctor will sometimes send it for you, or other times complete the form
and request you to send it. Look in the Yellow Pages for the address if you have never dealt with the CAF before. The CAF
is the agency that deals with family allowance ("allocations familiales"), and will send you money every month according to
the baby's age.
Scouting for Childbirth
Start checking out the local places to see where you want to give birth as you'll need to sign up there pretty soon!
Just phone and give your last period date and they should get you on the list for 9 months' time.
If you choose a hospital birth, an early registration ('ouverture de dossier') at the hospital means that you can be
seen throughout by your own GYN and become familiar with the hospital. Also they will tell you when to enroll for prenatal
classes, ultrasounds etc.
There are a number of obligatory blood tests throughout the pregnancy, and three ultrasounds are typically
performed (one in each trimester). Blood tests include HGC (pregnancy test), rubella, toxoplasmosis, blood group and
rhesus. They generally add HIV to the list since they're pumping blood out of you anyway. If you don't have toxoplasmosis
immunity, you will have blood tests every month to check you don't catch it during pregnancy.
You may find the hospital experience not as personal as you would wish. If you suspect it is not for you, read our section
on Home Birth, complete with a great article and many useful links. There is no hurry to make any decisions, so
just get informed first.
As for telling people, it's suggested you wait at least the 6 weeks 'aménorrhée' (let's use the French terms!)...
Recommended web-sites:
- Find your birth club on the Baby Centre site because you can share all your weird pregnancy symptoms which is very reassuring (and
you can also find the English terms for what you're going through)!
- http://www.neufmoisetplus.com - you put in a due date and it gives you the week and date of each major milestone, like when the scans are and when
you should reserve a place in a pre-natal class etc.
- You could also look at the birth clubs or local clubs on magicmaman http://www.forum.magicmaman.com which might give you some info about hospitals and gynaecologists. However, be aware that when French women ask for comments
on whether a hospital is good or bad, they mostly seem to want to know if their are showers in the rooms and what the meals
are like!
