Parents-child health passport medical examinations during pregnancy

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General information

The Parents and Baby Book (Eltern-Kind-Pass) is a tool to help provide healthcare for pregnant women and very young children. It records details of the medical examinations conducted during pregnancy and up to the child’s 5th birthday, as provided for in the Mother and Baby Book Programme.  All the examinations prescribed in the Mother and Baby Book are considered important for both mother and child. The examinations are only free of charge if they are carried out by contracted physicians working for registered health insurers. 

Women who do not have health insurance must obtain an entitlement voucher from the Austrian health insurance fund responsible for the area where they live before they are examined. If the expectant mother has one of these vouchers, the examinations prescribed in the Parents and Baby Book can be carried out free of charge by a physician contracted by the relevant health insurance provider. Expectant mothers are entitled to a one-hour midwife consultation between the 18th and 22nd week of their pregnancy. This consultation also forms part of the Parents and Baby Book.

Advice

Medical check-ups abroad will be recognised in Austria (thus maintaining the entitlement to Austrian childcare benefits) provided that the nature and timing of the examination are in line with the requirements of the Austrian Parents and Baby Book.

Programme of medical check-ups for pregnant women

Pregnant women are entitled to five medical check-ups in the course of their pregnancies:

Parents and Baby Book check-ups during pregnancy
Check-up Date of check-up Scope of check-up

1.

By the end of the 16th week of pregnancy
  • Blood tests:
    • Test for the possible lues infection
    • Check blood group and rhesus factor, except where original findings are already available
    • Check haemoglobin levels and haematocrit (or erythrocyte count)
    • Test for toxiplasmosis, followed by repeat examinations in the event of a negative titre or a titre requiring clarification, except if the original titre is clearly positive.
    • Check rubella antibody titre
    • Test for HIV
  • Take a detailed medical history
  • Carry out a gynaecological check-up
  • Assess risk factors for mother and child
  • Assess the need for further check-ups

2.

Between 17 and 20 weeks
  • Conduct an internal examination
  • Take a detailed medical history
  • Carry out a gynaecological check-up
  • Assess risk factors for mother and child
  • Assess the need for further check-ups

3.

Between 25 and 28 weeks
  • Check haematocrit and haemoglobin values
  • Hepatitis B test (HBS antigen check)
  • Oral glucose tolerance test
  • Take a detailed medical history
  • Carry out a gynaecological check-up
  • Assess risk factors for mother and child
  • Assess the need for further check-ups

4.

Between 30 and 34 weeks
  • Take a detailed medical history
  • Carry out a gynaecological check-up
  • Assess risk factors for mother and child
  • Assess the need for further check-ups

5.

Between 35 and 38 weeks
  • Take a detailed medical history
  • Carry out a gynaecological check-up
  • Assess risk factor for mother and child
  • Assess the need for further check-ups

Ultrasound examinations

In addition to these examinations, ultrasound examinations of the pregnant woman are recommended between the 8th and 12th week of pregnancy, as well as between the 18th and 22nd weeks, and again between the 30th and 34th weeks. Ultrasound examinations during pregnancy are not required in order to maintain your entitlement to full childcare benefits.

Consultation with a midwife

Pregnant women have the option of a consultation with a midwife between the 18th and the 22nd weeks of their pregnancy. The consultation includes information on the course of pregnancy, birth, postpartum, breastfeeding, ways to promote good health during this period, and the other forms of support that may be available. The midwife consultation is not required in order to maintain your entitlement to full childcare benefits.

Examinations required in order to maintain your entitlement to childcare allowance

Detailed information on childcare allowance  can be found on oesterreich.gv.at. You should make a copy of the relevant evidence, but leave the original paperwork in the Parents and Baby Book Your health insurance provider has the right to ask for the originals at a later date.

Requirements

Any pregnant woman can get a Parents and Baby Book, even if she is not an Austrian citizen.

Deadlines

In principle, the first examination prescribed in the Parents and Baby Book must take place before the end of the 16th week of the pregnancy. It is permitted to deviate from the prescribed examination dates under certain circumstances.

Competent authority

The Parents and Baby Book will be issued by the gynaecologist after the woman is confirmed to be pregnant. Parents and Baby Books can also be obtained from general practitioners, outpatient clinics, pregnancy and family planning centres and outpatient departments of maternity wards, provided they perform the examinations prescribed in the Parents and Baby and Book.

Procedure

The Parents and Baby Book will be issued to you when a pregnancy is confirmed in the course of a medical examination at an accredited facility.

Costs and fees

The Parents and Baby Book and all the examinations recorded in it are available free of charge, provided they are carried out by a physician contracted by a social security body.

Further information

Legal basis

Certified Translation
Last update: 26 July 2024

Responsible for the content: Federal Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection