Pre-gestational advice

Directed to all women who want to get pregnant in the coming year, in order to:

    • Assess and treat existing problems, to ensure the woman is in the best possible condition to get pregnant.
    • Objectively plan the best time to get pregnant.

Personal attention during pregnancy and delivery

You can call GIAH as soon as you know that you are pregnant to make an appointment for the first visit, that won´t be scheduled before the eight week.

In case of blood loss during the first weeks, you should rest and call us to have the visit sooner. Don´t worry, sometimes it is the normal process of the implantation of the pregnancy.

It is advisable to take folic acid, a supplement of iodine and Vitamin D.

You can consult the guide for pregnant (press ´traducir esta página´ for English translation) of the Departament de Salut de la Generalitat de Catalunya (Health Department of the Catalonian Government).

When should you make an appointment for your first visit when you are pregnant

The first visit to the gynaecologist is programmed for the 8th or 9th week counting from the first day of the period. It is not advisable to plan a visit before the 6th week as the embryo is very small and probably would not be detected by the ultrasound test.

During this first visit we can determine the expected date of delivery, according to the last menstruation.

The gynaecologist will give all the information necessary in order to face the pregnancy with serenity. She will also make appointments for the next visits and tests that have to be done.

The doctor will give you all the recommendations during the pregnancy and she will answer the most frequent questions:

· What should I eat?

·  Can I have sexual intercourse?

·  Can I exercise?

·  Can I swim? Until when?

Whooping Cough Vaccine

In recent years there has been an increase in the number of cases of whooping cough, a highly contagious respiratory disease which can be serious in newborn babies.

The most effective strategy to protect babies is to vaccinate the pregnant women. In this way the mother passes the antibodies to the foetus through the placenta.

L’Agència de Salut Pública de Catalunya (Organization of Catalonian Public Health Care) has launched a campaign to vaccinate mothers against whooping cough in the last months of the pregnancy. This is a preventative measure that, since 2011, has been implemented with great success in countries like the UK and the United States.  The vaccine, known as dTpa also offers protection against tetanus and diphtheria. It is an inactive vaccine that doesn´t cause side effects for the mother or the foetus.

Preventing toxoplasmosis

Wash your hands thoroughly

Do not eat raw or under cooked meat or cured meats, or only if they have been frozen for  a  minimum of 3 days at -24ºC

Wash all vegetables and herbs thoroughly before eating.

Wash hands, kitchen surfaces and utensils after being in contact with raw meat, vegetables or fruit.

Avoid contact with cats and their faeces (clean the litter tray daily).

Avoid jobs where you can easily get in contact with material that is possibly contaminated (gardening).

Prenatal diagnosis

The prenatal diagnosis refers to techniques currently available and which examine the proper formation and development of the foetus before birth.

NON-INVASIVE PRENATAL DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIQUES:

Herewith we can detect major chromosomal abnormalities of the foetus.

Prenatal screening: Risk of Down´s Syndrome in the first or second trimester in the maternal blood (blood test).

Detection of foetal DNA in maternal blood: A test of the maternal blood that is possible from the 9th week of the pregnancy. Herewith we can assess abnormalities in the chromosomes 21, 18, 13 and X (Down´s Syndrome, Edwards Syndrome, Patau Syndrome and Turner Syndrome) and determine the sex of the foetus by the detection of the Y chromosome.

INVASIVE PRENATAL DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIQUES:

Amniocentesis: Consists of obtaining a sample of the amniotic fluid that surrounds the foetus, by means of a puncture through the mother´s abdomen. This is done between the 15th and 18th weeks and allows a complete study of the chromosomal map.

Chorion biopsy: The goal of this biopsy is to obtain a sample of the placenta, via the abdomen or via the cervix, in order to examine the foetal chromosomes or more sophisticated studies like DNA or foetal enzymes.

Obstetric ultrasound

An obstetric ultrasound is a visualisation of the embryo or foetus inside the uterus. It is an essential method of diagnosis during pregnancy. Given the information it provides, the ultrasound is practiced routinely during all pregnancies.

Throughout a normal pregnancy, it is necessary to have at least two high resolution ultrasounds.

Cardiotocography – foetal control

A cardiotocograph records the foetal heartbeat and is important to assess foetal well-being in the last trimester of the pregnancy.

This test assesses the foetal reactivity and maternal contractions through two tapes placed on the maternal abdomen for a period of 20 minutes.

Midwifery and maternal education (Prenatal classes)

Prenatal Classes

You can participate in prenatal classes from the 30th week at Clinica Bofill.

The classes help to prepare the mother physically and mentally for the delivery. They are very important to prepare for childbirth in the best possible way, to overcome fear and to maintain control of both physical and emotional reactions.

There are a variety of techniques to prepare for delivery: Yoga, breathing techniques and stretching…

Contact our midwives for the exact times:

Dolors Sala: 649859085

Conchi Tapiz: 672393880

Baby Basket

It is advisable to have everything you need ready for your hospital stay two or three weeks before your due date.
The ideal is to prepare two suitcases: one for the mother and another for the baby.

FOR THE BABY:

  • Nappy changing bag.
  • 6 cotton shirts and pants or 6 bodies.
  • 6 outfits or pyjamas.
  • 4 pairs of socks.
  • 1 swaddling blanket.
  • 1 cap.
  • Soothing ointment.
  • Wet wipes.
  • Dummy.
  • Mittens.

FOR THE MOTHER:

  • 3 Nightgowns.
  • Disposable knickers.
  • 2 nursing bras.
  • Dressing gown.
  • Slippers.
  • Hair dryer.