Antenatal care in France: appointments, scans and tests month by month
In brief
In France, pregnancy follow-up (antenatal care) for an uncomplicated pregnancy includes seven compulsory antenatal appointments, three recommended scans (at around 12, 22 and 32 weeks), blood tests at set times and an early antenatal interview. The due date is set at 41 weeks; a birth is considered full term between 37 and 42 weeks.
How is the due date of a pregnancy calculated?
Doctors count pregnancy in weeks of pregnancy (weeks of amenorrhoea), that is in weeks since the first day of your last period. This is about two weeks longer than the time since conception.
In France, the expected due date corresponds to 41 weeks. A birth between 37 and 42 weeks is full term; before 37 weeks it is premature; beyond 41 weeks, closer monitoring is arranged (see overdue pregnancy). The full journey to the birth is described on our page Giving birth in Paris.
Dating is confirmed by the first-trimester scan: measuring the embryo (crown-rump length) between 11 weeks and 13 weeks + 6 days sets the start date of the pregnancy to within a few days. This date then serves as the reference for all your care and for the paperwork.
What is the antenatal appointment schedule in France?
For a pregnancy with no risk factors, the French National Authority for Health (HAS) recommends regular care with the following main milestones:
| Period | Appointment | Key tests and steps |
|---|---|---|
| Before 14 weeks | 1st appointment | Pregnancy declaration, initial blood tests, scan prescribed, Down syndrome screening offered |
| 11 weeks to 13 weeks + 6 days | — | First-trimester scan (dating, nuchal translucency) |
| After the pregnancy declaration | Early antenatal interview | Compulsory interview with a midwife or doctor |
| 4th month (16–20 weeks) | 2nd appointment | Blood pressure, urine, baby's heartbeat; toxoplasmosis test if not immune |
| 5th month (20–24 weeks) | 3rd appointment | Anomaly scan at around 22 weeks |
| 6th month (24–28 weeks) | 4th appointment | Antibody screen if Rhesus negative, blood count, gestational diabetes screening if risk factors, anti-D injection at around 28 weeks if needed |
| 7th month (28–32 weeks) | 5th appointment | Scan at around 32 weeks; vitamin D prescribed |
| 8th month (32–37 weeks) | 6th appointment | Baby's position, group B strep vaginal swab (34–38 weeks), antibody screen, anaesthetic consultation |
| 9th month (37–41 weeks) | 7th appointment | Birth plan, antibody screen if Rhesus negative, signs that labour is starting |
| Within 8 weeks of the birth | Postnatal examination | Examination, contraception, pelvic floor rehabilitation; mandatory early postnatal interview between the 4th and 8th week |
The first appointment is explained in our dedicated article on the first pregnancy appointment. Appointments may be more frequent depending on your situation; your care is provided at the practice, in coordination with the maternity unit where you are registered (Maternité Sainte-Félicité or Clinique Sainte-Thérèse).
What happens at each antenatal appointment?
Each antenatal appointment includes:
- time to talk about your symptoms, your general health, your mood and your questions;
- checking your weight and blood pressure, to detect pre-eclampsia;
- a urine dipstick test (sugar and protein);
- listening to the baby's heartbeat and, from the second trimester, measuring the height of the womb;
- questions about the baby's movements, usually first felt between 18 and 22 weeks;
- a gynaecological examination only if needed, with your consent.
If the examination is normal, appointments can be carried out by a midwife, a GP or an obstetrician-gynaecologist. If a risk situation arises, care is transferred to or shared with an obstetrician, following HAS guidelines.
Which blood tests are done during pregnancy?
- In the first trimester: blood group and Rhesus, red cell antibody screen (RAI), toxoplasmosis, rubella and syphilis tests, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) screening, from the first consultation; HIV and hepatitis C tests offered. Fasting blood sugar if you have risk factors for diabetes. A cytomegalovirus (CMV) test: since 2025 the HAS (French National Authority for Health) has recommended first-trimester screening for women who are not immune or whose status is unknown.
- Every month: toxoplasmosis test if you are not immune.
- In the 6th month: full blood count (to check for anaemia), antibody screen for women who are Rhesus negative or have had a transfusion.
- Between 24 and 28 weeks: oral glucose tolerance test (75 g of glucose), only if you have risk factors (age 35 or over, overweight, family history of diabetes, previous gestational diabetes or large baby). See gestational diabetes.
- In the 8th and 9th months: antibody screen for women who are Rhesus negative or have had a transfusion.
If you are Rhesus negative, a blood test to determine the baby's Rhesus group and an anti-D injection at around 28 weeks may be offered: see our article on Rhesus incompatibility.
What are the three pregnancy scans for?
- 11 weeks to 13 weeks + 6 days: confirms an ongoing pregnancy, dating, number of embryos, nuchal translucency measurement for combined Down syndrome screening (with a blood test), and checks for some abnormalities visible early on.
- At around 22 weeks (20 to 25 weeks): the anomaly scan, which examines the baby's anatomy organ by organ, its growth, the position of the placenta and the amount of amniotic fluid.
- At around 32 weeks (30 to 35 weeks): checks growth, the position of the baby and the placenta, and some abnormalities that appear later.
A scan cannot see everything: a normal scan does not guarantee that there is no abnormality at all. Down syndrome screening, which is always optional, is explained in our article on prenatal screening for Down syndrome.
Which vaccines, classes and paperwork should I plan for?
- Whooping cough vaccine: recommended in every pregnancy, from 16 weeks and preferably between 20 and 36 weeks, to protect the newborn (see the vaccines article below).
- Flu and COVID-19 vaccines: recommended at any stage of pregnancy, during the flu season for flu.
- Protection against RSV (bronchiolitis): during the seasonal campaign, a vaccine between 32 and 36 weeks or a preventive antibody given to the baby after birth is offered; parents choose after being informed.
- Early antenatal interview: compulsory in France, it helps anticipate your needs and identify any difficulties.
- Antenatal and parenting classes: covered by the Assurance maladie (French health insurance).
- Anaesthetic consultation in the 8th month, compulsory in France, even if you are not planning an epidural.
- Maternity leave: in France, its length depends on the number of babies expected and the number of children already in your care.
For details of the vaccines, see vaccines during pregnancy.
Which signs need urgent care at the maternity unit?
Some signs should not wait for your next appointment. Go directly to your maternity unit's emergency department (open day and night), the one where you are registered (Maternité Sainte-Félicité or Clinique Sainte-Thérèse), if you have:
- any vaginal bleeding, even light;
- a leak of fluid, clear or coloured, from the vagina;
- regular or painful contractions before 37 weeks;
- fewer or no movements from the baby (once you usually feel them);
- a fever of 38 °C or more, shivering, or burning when passing urine with back pain;
- severe headaches, vision problems, pain under the right ribs or in the pit of the stomach, sudden swelling of the face or hands;
- severe or constant abdominal pain, a fall or a blow to the abdomen;
- intense itching of the palms and soles of the feet, especially at night.
If you feel faint, have heavy bleeding or very severe pain, call 15 (SAMU) or 112 in France, or your local emergency number.
Frequently asked questions
How many pregnancy appointments are covered in France?
The seven compulsory antenatal appointments and the postnatal check are covered by the Assurance maladie. From the 6th month, reimbursable care is covered at 100% under maternity insurance.
Do I need more than three scans?
For an uncomplicated pregnancy, three scans are enough. Extra scans are prescribed for bleeding, concerns about growth, twin pregnancy or other specific situations.
Can a midwife look after me for the whole pregnancy?
Yes, if the pregnancy is progressing normally. The midwife refers you to an obstetrician-gynaecologist if a risk situation arises, following HAS guidelines.
When should I register with a maternity unit?
As early as possible, once the pregnancy is confirmed, especially in Paris where places are limited. Registering early also allows late-pregnancy appointments to be arranged on site.
References
- Haute Autorité de santé (French National Authority for Health). Suivi et orientation des femmes enceintes en fonction des situations à risque identifiées. Recommandation de bonne pratique. HAS, 2016 (update). has-sante.fr
- CNGOF, SFD. Expert consensus on gestational diabetes mellitus. Summary of expert consensus. Diabetes Metab, 2010. doi:10.1016/j.diabet.2010.11.019 — PMID 21163431
- Picone O, et al. Toxoplasmosis screening during pregnancy in France: Opinion of an expert panel for the CNGOF. J Gynecol Obstet Hum Reprod, 2020. doi:10.1016/j.jogoh.2020.101814 — PMID 32428782
Dr Olivier KadochObstetrician-gynaecologist and gynaecological surgeon in Paris (16th and 5th arrondissements). Former chef de clinique-assistant (senior registrar) at the Paris public hospitals (AP-HP); individually accredited by the French National Authority for Health (HAS). RPPS 10003957809. Background and practice locations
A question about your situation?Appointments at the practice or by video consultation, usually within one week to 10 days.
Book an appointmentGeneral information article: it does not replace a medical consultation. In an emergency, call 15 or 112 in France, or your local emergency number.