If the woman is found to be pregnant, the doctor will give her the maternity pass . The document contains all the mother’s important data, but also examinations, appointments and information about the unborn child. It is therefore incredibly important that the maternity card is always carried and also presented at every medical examination.

The maternity pass is not only proof that you are pregnant, but also a source of information about which examinations have already been carried out and which still have to be carried out.

What is in the mother’s passport?

The stamp and any contact details of the doctor treating you can be found on the first page of the maternity pass. The data of the expectant mother (name, date of birth and address) are entered on the second page . The blood group, antibodies and Rhesus factor are also noted on the second page. Any infections are noted on the third page . For example, if a urine test has shown that a chlamydia infectionpresent (increases the risk of premature birth or miscarriage). The LSR test can also be found on the same page. LSR (Lues-Such-Reaction) stands for a rare sexually transmitted disease that can sometimes cause complications for the mother and the child. The fourth page of the maternity record deals with previous pregnancies. Previous pregnancies are entered on that page, whereby it must be noted whether it was a caesarean section or whether it was a forceps or ventouse birth . Premature births , miscarriages , ectopic pregnancies and miscarriages are also documented on this page. On theOn the fifth page , the results of the first check-ups are noted or the doctor collects the medical history (anamnesis) of the pregnant woman. On that page you will find information on whether the pregnant woman has current illnesses or allergies . The sixth page deals with the course of the pregnancy. This includes current illnesses, the consumption of medicines and tobacco, any pregnancy-specific complications or even premature labour. It also provides information on whether it is a multiple pregnancy . This information should help the doctor to clarify whether there is a high- risk pregnancygiven is. The calculated date of birth is also entered on the sixth page. The gravidogram is on the seventh and eighth page . The results of numerous check-ups are entered here. The pregnant woman keeps coming across abbreviations such as “QF” or “SFA”. “SFA” (symphysis-fundus distance) gives an insight into the position of the upper edge of the uterus, which – as the pregnancy progresses – moves upwards.The information is given in “QF” (cross fingers). “SL” also stands for skull length and “BEL” for breech position . The results of the regularly performed blood pressure measurements are entered under “RR”. The woman’s weight is entered under the “Weight” column. “Hb” provides information about the blood pigment (hemoglobin value). “sediment” or “possibly bacteriologist. Bef.” provide an overview of protein, nitrite, sugar and blood found in the urine.

“MM Ø” or “cervix oB” mean that the cervix of the pregnant woman is still closed or the uterine canal is “undetected”. Special findings that have arisen during pregnancy are listed in “Risk no. according to Catalog B”.

The ninth page is reserved for findings (amniotic fluid tests) as well as illnesses or hospital stays. Pages 10 to 14 are available for results of the ultrasound examinations . The last two pages – 15 and 16 – are used for final investigations. Here the doctor also notes important data, such as the number of check-ups that were carried out during the course of the pregnancy or also notes whether there were previous pregnancies or how many deliveries the pregnant woman has already experienced.Information on the birth of the child is also given on the last pages. The doctor documents the course of the birth and also notes the result of the so-called Apgar test, which was carried out on the child. As part of the test, breathing, muscle tension, pulse, the ability to trigger reflexes and skin color are checked or checked and then entered. Furthermore, on the last page there is also information about the postpartum period, to that end any courses or complications are documented.

Always there – just in case

The maternity passport should be a companion of the pregnant woman throughout the pregnancy. Especially because the maternity pass not only records the mother’s medical history, but also the entire course of the pregnancy.

Especially in the event of an emergency, the doctor treating you can use the maternity card to determine whether there have already been complications or what factors need to be taken into account. For this reason, it is also particularly important that the maternity card is taken with you to every preventive check-up at the gynecologist’s.

Throw away or keep?

The maternity pass should never be thrown away. On the one hand, it is a beautiful and unique souvenir of the pregnancy, on the other hand, the maternity pass also helps the doctor, of course, if earlier pregnancies have already been entered and documented. In this way, any comparisons can be made or a complete anamnesis of the pregnant woman is already available.