Prenatal care in Spain
Excellent prenatal care is standard throughout
Andalucia at both private and public centres. Expect regular
visits to both
your "médico de familia" - or family
doctor - and to the nearest gynaecologist. The exact schedule
will depend on
the clinic you are working with.
Begin by having your family doctor confirm the
results of your pregnancy test. From there, he or she will advise
you regarding
blood and urine tests as well as the schedule of regular visits.
You will also have a number of ultrasounds and will be given
the
option of finding out the sex of your child at around 20 weeks.
Towards the end of your pregnancy, expect control
to tighten noticeably. At this point you will be regularly scheduled
for the fetal heart rate monitor, which will also register and measure
the strength of your late pregnancy contractions. If you are scheduled
to be monitored at a public centre, wear pants that can easily be
pulled down for the monitor or bring a sheet or blanket with you
as often more than one couple is scheduled in the same room and
there may or may not be any provision for decency.
You will also be given the option of participating
in birth preparation classes. Obviously, these will be in Spanish
- an excellent chance to practice yours and gain new, birth-related
vocabulary.
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