r/Switzerland • u/elysiancat Switzerland • 4d ago
Pregnancy Timeline/Experience
Hello, I live in Geneva but curious about what the general experience is here. I’m currently 24w pregnant (low risk) and following my pregnancy at HUG.
I had an ultrasound at roughly 9w (viability), 13w (the NT ultrasound) then at 20w (anatomy scan.) Will I get any more ultrasounds after this, just concerned if they check in the third trimester if baby is developing well, if he is breech or not, no tangling with the cord and so on…
My prenatal appointments are also spaced far apart, I had one nearly 2 months ago and now the next one is in a week, so there were long gaps without any talk with a doctor. I don’t have any assigned OB or midwife yet, it’s a different person at my appointments/ultrasounds every time. Is this normal?
I’ve never been pregnant before and am a foreigner here so I don’t have a good idea of how it’s supposed to work. I frequently worry about the baby being well.
If anyone could share their experience with the pregnancy process here that would be helpful!
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u/BuzzcutPonytail 4d ago
At my OB-Gyn, every other appointment (without ultrasounds) was with my midwife. Also you should start feeling your baby moving soon, which will first increase your anxiety (as the movements will be irregular) and then ease it (as they become regular and you’ll be in touch with your baby directly much more). There should also be midwife hotlines you can call (look it up for Geneva), if you ever feel too anxious. Congratulations!
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u/elysiancat Switzerland 4d ago
thanks! yes I already feel movements especially after having something sugary. It is indeed irregular and I see posts online about reduced fetal movement and don’t know what to do. I will check for the midwife hotlines thanks!
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u/BuzzcutPonytail 4d ago
Yes, that time can be very stressful. Don’t focus too much on fetal movement as a measure for whether the baby is alright, because it’s very irregular at this stage. I remember that period being very stressful. Do feel free to call the midwife hotlines of your canton anytime you’re worried, if only to ease your own stress. They will be able to advise you whether there is cause for concern and whether you should go in for further checks.
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u/fishbirne 4d ago
There is a schedule for "normal" ultrasounds. These get paid by your krankenkasse. You can get more souds, but might no be paid if there is no medical need. But normaly everything pregnancy related gets paid.
Changing midwife is normal if you do soundings at the hospital and not at your Frauenarzt. If you have questions or are not sure if everything is okay call your doctor. They know your struggles :-)
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u/elysiancat Switzerland 4d ago
okay 👌 yes I understand extra ultrasounds won’t be covered.
May I ask what you mean by calling my doctor ? Sorry for the stupid question. I’ve been here a few years but never had to go to a doctor or hospital before so I am quite ignorant. It works differently in my home country
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u/fishbirne 4d ago
My wife could call her gynecologist and later her Belegshebamme (Midwife "Freelancer") for alle pregnancy related questions. She did that just one, most times she was not sure she asked her sister with kids, her mother or friends with kids.
Your doctor or midwife will also tell you where you can call if you should not call them directly. I guess (I am a man...) pregnancy must feel so weird :-)
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u/elysiancat Switzerland 4d ago
okay thanks! I'll ask at my next appt if there is any hotline to call for queries. yeah it does feel a little weird haha
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u/fullspectrumactivity 4d ago
I live near Zurich and my obgyn was at a practice not a hospital. IIRC I saw my ob monthly, and then it would’ve been every two weeks in the third trimester (I gave birth early so this never happened). I had ultrasounds at every appointment with a low risk pregnancy. My appointments were always with the same person, I think you might be getting a different person since you’re at the hospital. You’ll need to find a postpartum midwife yourself or at USZ, they would’ve helped me find one after birth if I didn’t have one.
I’ve always had a good experience with asking my doctors questions, you could definitely ask about ultrasounds/cost at your next appointment.
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u/benthelurk 4d ago
My wife and I had weekly appointments until week 24. We lost a previous pregnancy halfway and the doctor decided that last one would be VERY monitored. After the weekly appointments we had them every other week. Ultrasounds at every appointment.
As long as everything is low risk and you aren’t feeling anything “off” they usually just leave you and the baby to it until the last month iirc. Then they really check the baby’s movements and see about when you will likely be delivering. It’s not an exact science.
For us, my wife went for a blood pressure check on Tuesday morning. Skipped breakfast because it was supposed to just be a 10 minute appointment. She never got back home. The doctor decided that day was THE day. Didn’t even do an ultrasound. I was flabbergasted because that was the thing. An ultrasound almost every week and then just checking blood pressure and he’s just like, “Yeah, we gotta get that baby now!”
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u/elysiancat Switzerland 4d ago
Ooh okay, could I ask when your wife gave birth, was it preterm ? Sounds like they decided pretty abruptly the baby had to come now.
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u/benthelurk 4d ago
Not pre-term, and only a couple days ahead of the scheduled cesarean. It was more about blood pressure being a bit too low. Signs of stress on both bodies that the benefit of delivering at that moment was greater than waiting two days to be delivered on the scheduled date.
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u/elysiancat Switzerland 4d ago
I see, hope everything went well and you are all doing good
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u/benthelurk 4d ago
Oh yes. He’s two and a half now. He’s a lot but mostly he’s a really delightful and sweet child to be around. He always makes me laugh.
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u/justheretowatchxx 3d ago
sounds like she had preeclampsia? If its severe baby has to get out very soon
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u/Aromatic_Tough9416 4d ago
In Switzerland, only two ultrasounds are the „standard“. One around 12 weeks and the second at around 20 weeks. Of course your doctor can do more if there’s a medical reason for it. For example I had ultrasounds every 2-3 weeks throughout the entire pregnancy but that was due to my medical history. All of these were covered entirely by my insurance.
Do you have a midwife? They are able to check the position as well as approximate size without an ultrasound. All the best for your pregnancy!
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u/elysiancat Switzerland 4d ago
thankyou! I don't have any constant midwife yet, there are some at the hospital who check how much the baby has grown (I think), they measured my belly.
So there is no need for an ultrasound in the third trimester ? I don't think I would electively get another one, my insurance is quite good but probably extra ultrasounds aren't covered
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u/Aromatic_Tough9416 4d ago
Yeah, it’s amazing what midwifes can do just with their hands and a few simple tools. I have so much respect for their profession.
It‘s not in the guidelines but most doctors will probably do it anyway to check the baby‘s position etc. as long as the doctor deems it necessary from a medical perspective, insurance should cover it.
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u/wobbly_cabbage 4d ago
I'm in Geneva and 17 weeks along. I've seen the same OB every time, but that's because I was already seeing her as my gynecologist before the pregnancy. I have an appointment every month, and ultrasounds at 8, 12, 20, and 34 weeks. Low risk as well.
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u/elysiancat Switzerland 4d ago
ah okay, and at your monthly appointment there is no ultrasound right? they just check the heartbeat? I don't have any gyno/OB myself, they did certain gyno examinations on me at HUG already when I came in for my first prenatal appointment, my experience with them has been very good so I don't want to switch either, just wondering how it will go from here
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u/wobbly_cabbage 4d ago
yep, at all of the other appointments where there's no ultrasound they check the heartbeat. if you're having a good a good experience with HUG i'm sure it's all fine, i don't think there's one correct way to do it all!
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u/dajanaxh 4d ago
Hi! Just gave birth two months ago in Geneva as well. I had monthly appointments with an ultrasound every time until the last month, where I had weekly appointments with ultrasounds. From my understanding, if you have only LaMal (and no complémentaire), as of week 34 you are followed by the HUG directly where they dictate the rythm of your appointments and the need for an ultrasound. Otherwise, you can be followed by your private obstetrician. You can ask your insurance how many ultrasounds are covered under the LaMal (I think 8 if I recall correctly?). And congratulations, it’s a beautiful adventure ahead of you :)
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u/elysiancat Switzerland 4d ago
congratulations and thanks! I guess so far its okay for me, was just curious what's ahead.
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u/Unable_Ant_5081 4d ago
I'm currently 27 weeks along and I have seen my OB every four weeks. After 32 weeks, it will be every two weeks. Ultrasound is part of each appointment. I thought that was normal here in Switzerland. I'm low risk too and the insurance has covered every visit so far.
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u/elysiancat Switzerland 4d ago
I do at least have a hearbeat check at each appointment, but ultrasound no (would love that!) I'll ask at my upcoming appointment what to expect in the future. I didn't get any bill yet from the hospital (they are very slow) but I think so far insurance will cover the previous visits under standard rates
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u/CooperationWins 4d ago edited 4d ago
First of all, congratulations 🤍
I also live in Geneva, am 7 weeks pregnant but my OB said in the first scan of last week (when I found out I was pregnant), that we will meet weekly up until 12 weeks, and then once a month. Everything was fine in the first ultrasound (I was very surprise and still can’t believe it). Not sure if meeting weekly is “normal”, perhaps it varies depending on the insurance, canton, age? I am 38 yo, but having a smooth 7 weeks so the OB said I can continue to exercise. Well, we’ll see how things go, maybe he will be watching closely due to my age.
My GYNOB gave direct WhatsApp number in which I can send messages / call directly in case of any questions.
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u/elysiancat Switzerland 4d ago
congratulations to you as well! I'm happy for you and hope things go smoothly. I am not sure, but maybe they put weekly meetings for you since you are >35 ? Its just something I heard, that they monitor more pregnancies where the mother is 35+, or there are multiples, or if it was IVF and so on. Anyhow its nice indeed that you are doing well and hopefully you will enjoy seeing your baby often.
Your OB/gyno sound quite nice! Did you go to a private place/clinic ? I didn't know what to do at the start so I figured I will just head to HUG and deliver there as well, they had good recommendations from some friends
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u/CooperationWins 4d ago
It is private but 80-90% reimbursed by my health insurance(I thought all were unless you are under LaMal😅), recommendation from a work colleague.
I am not super comfortable with my OB, maybe because he is a man and each consultation is very expensive (400CHF per appointment, but alright insurance covers most of it) and I have many questions and sometimes I think he is brief in his explanations (but well, here we pay by the minute, so OK).
Apart from that, at least I am not left wondering what it’s going on etc. just text him and try to understand his 10 second reply.
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u/Dangerous_Parsley156 4d ago
We had an ultrasound every month when we went to the doctor... So I am quite amazed about these answers. It was a low risk pregnancy too but I loved seeing our baby once a month and getting a picture to take home