Seeing a doctor during pregnancy
Make an appointment with a doctor to confirm your pregnancy.
If you are pregnant, a doctor or gynaecologist will monitor you and the foetus during your entire pregnancy.
Doctor taking a blood sample from a woman to check if she is pregnant.
Regular check-ups
The doctor or gynaecologist will:
- Ask questions about you, your partner, your families, previous pregnancies and the date of your last menstrual period to find out more about your pregnancy.
- Check your weight, blood pressure and uterus;
- Carry out at least 3 ultrasound scans during your pregnancy:
- to determine the expected date of delivery;
- to see whether you are expecting one baby or more than one baby;
- to check the foetus’s heartbeat, weight, length and position in the uterus;
- to check whether the foetus has any defects;
- to check the amount of amniotic fluid and the position of the placenta;
- to know the baby’s sex.
- If necessary, perform a vaginal examination at the end of pregnancy;
- Inform you about tests you can have to check whether the baby has other diseases or disorders. The parents choose whether they want the tests or not.
The doctor carries out at least 3 ultrasound scans during a pregnancy.
The doctor carries out at least 3 ultrasound scans during a pregnancy.
Woman lying on an examination bed. The focus is on the belly. If necessary, the doctor performs a vaginal examination at the end of pregnancy.
Woman lying on an examination bed. The focus is on the belly. If necessary, the doctor performs a vaginal examination at the end of pregnancy.
Detail of a vaginal examination: the doctor inserts several fingers into the vagina to feel whether the cervix is opening. He/she also checks the position of the uterus from the outside.
Detail of a vaginal examination: the doctor inserts several fingers into the vagina to feel whether the cervix is opening. He/she also checks the position of the uterus from the outside.
Emergency situations
There are some emergency situations. Go to a doctor if you:
- fall on your belly;
- feel a heavy pain in your belly;
- have a persistent fever;
- lose blood from your vagina;
- lose a lot of weight;
- lose fluid from your vagina;
- have a lot of white vaginal discharge with a bad smell.
Go to a doctor in case of emergency.
Go to a doctor if you fall on your belly.
Go to a doctor if you fall on your belly.
Go to a doctor if you feel a heavy pain in your belly.
Go to a doctor if you feel a heavy pain in your belly.
Go to a doctor if you have a persistent fever.
Go to a doctor if you have a persistent fever.
Go to a doctor if you lose blood from your vagina.
Go to a doctor if you lose blood from your vagina.
Go to a doctor if you lose a lot of weight.
Go to a doctor if you lose a lot of weight.
Go to a doctor if you lose fluid from your vagina.
Go to a doctor if you lose fluid from your vagina.
Go to a doctor if you have a lot of white vaginal discharge with a bad smell.
Go to a doctor if you have a lot of white vaginal discharge with a bad smell.
Midwife
You can ask a midwife to guide you during pregnancy. You can discuss discomfort, breast-feeding and any questions you have related to your pregnancy and the delivery.
Partner violence during pregnancy
Partner violence is any form of violence between 2 people in a relationship. Partner violence is forbidden by law.
Partner violence during pregnancy can cause health problems to both mother and foetus. The problems can be physical or psychological. For instance: stress, bleeding, high blood pressure, premature birth, low birth weight, miscarriage.
Often the baby will need more care after birth.
Ask a counsellor at a CAW or your family doctor for help if you experience partner violence during pregnancy.
More information or help needed?
Family doctor
You can talk to a family doctor about almost every intimate issue. If necessary the family doctor can refer you to a specialised health professional. Find a family doctor in your neighbourhood:
Gynaecologist
In Belgium, you can make an appointment directly with the gynaecologist without a referral from your family doctor. However, your family doctor can help you find a gynaecologist.
Community health centre (wijkgezondheidscentrum)
You can visit a family doctor in a community health centre. Other care professionals such as nurses and social workers also work at community health centres. Care is provided free of charge. Find a community health centre in your neighbourhood:
CAW - Centrum Algemeen Welzijn
Centre for general well-being - Help with all kinds of issues: a difficult relationship, medical, financial, administrative, legal or material problems, family problems,... CAWs also provide assistance to victims of violence and abuse. Find a CAW in your neighbourhood:
Aquarelle
Prenatal and postnatal care for women who migrated to Belgium
02 535 47 13
Prenataal steunpunt - Bevrijdingslaan
Free prenatal care
078 150 100
Prenataal steunpunt - Brussel
Free prenatal care
02 229 50 17, 078 150 100
Prenataal steunpunt - De Sloep
Free prenatal care
09 234 38 58, 078 150 100
Prenataal steunpunt - Mechelen
Free prenatal care
078 150 100
Prenataal steunpunt - Pothoekstraat
Free prenatal care
078 150 100
Prenataal steunpunt - Sint-Bernardsesteenweg
Free prenatal care
03 285 44 36, 078 150 100
Prenataal steunpunt - Willy Vandersteenplein
Free prenatal care
078 150 100
Kind en Gezin
Assistance to (prospective) parents with information, practical tips and medical follow-up until the child is 3 years of age. Services are for free.
078 150 100