When I first found out I was pregnant, I was a mix of excited and a little lost, especially navigating the unfamiliar healthcare system in Spain. My husband and I figured out the public hospital’s prenatal care process step by step. Today, I’m sharing my experience to help other future moms on this forum, hoping to make your journey a bit smoother!
First Prenatal Visit: Meeting the Midwife (Matrona)
After confirming your pregnancy, the first step isn’t to go to a hospital to see a gynecologist, but to book an appointment with a midwife (matrona) at your local community health center (centro de salud). You can do this in person at the reception, by phone, or through the health app. The matrona will be your main point of contact throughout your pregnancy. At the first meeting, she will create your file, ask a lot of questions about your personal and family medical history, give you a referral for your first blood and urine tests, and provide you with a pregnancy record book (cartilla de embarazo). This little book is crucial, as all your checkup records will be kept in it, so be sure to keep it safe! She will also schedule your first ultrasound appointment.
The Key Ultrasound Scans
In the Spanish public healthcare system, you typically only have three major ultrasound scans throughout the pregnancy, unless there are special circumstances. This is quite different from the frequent ultrasounds common in some other countries, and I found it a bit strange at first, but the doctors assured me it’s perfectly sufficient. Each ultrasound is scheduled at a major hospital.
| Gestation Week | Scan Name | Main Purpose |
|---|
| Around 12 weeks | First Trimester Scan | Commonly known as the nuchal translucency (NT) scan. Combined with blood test results, it screens for Down’s syndrome and confirms the due date. |
| Around 20 weeks | Morphology Scan | This is the most important anomaly scan |
| ![/color] The doctor will meticulously check all the baby’s organs. |
| Around 34 weeks | Third Trimester Scan | Assesses the baby’s growth, development, and position in preparation for birth. |
Other Routine Checkups and Things to Note
Besides the three major ultrasounds, the matrona will schedule regular appointments with you, usually once a month, becoming more frequent in the third trimester. At each visit, she will check your blood pressure, weight, and listen to the baby’s heartbeat. She’ll also give you referrals for blood and urine tests as needed for your stage of pregnancy. Around 24-28 weeks, you’ll be scheduled for the Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT)
to check for gestational diabetes. That sugary drink is… something else. Be prepared, ladies! Also, remember to take your folic acid and iodine supplements, as the matrona will instruct you from the first visit. This routine care process is distinct from procedures for more complex situations, such as a miscarriage in Spain.
The prenatal care process in Spain’s public system is very standardized. Although wait times can be long, the medical staff are quite responsible. Your matrona is like a friend who accompanies you throughout the entire journey, and you can ask her anything. I hope my sharing helps all you expectant mothers out there. Wishing you all a smooth and healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby! Feel free to leave any questions or comments below for discussion
!
