Pregnancy care

This topic is for anyone thinking about moving to Spain, planning the move or already there. You will learn who looks after your pregnancy, which tests to expect and how to get care even before your health card is sorted. It also covers moving while pregnant, public versus private care, scans and tests, genetic screening, vaccines and food, high-risk pregnancy and loss, antenatal classes and planning a pregnancy.

Start with "Starting pregnancy care with a midwife (matrona)". It explains how you enter the Spanish pathway and what the first visits involve. If your paperwork is still pending, go next to "Getting pregnancy care before your health card or status is sorted".

Who is entitled to public healthcare, maternity leave, the birth itself and postnatal care are covered elsewhere.

Key rules

• First visit: Book your first pregnancy visit as early as possible, ideally before week 10 and no later than weeks 10 to 12.
• Glucose test: The O'Sullivan glucose test is done at weeks 24-28 for everyone, and earlier if you have risk factors.
• Routine scans: The public system schedules three routine scans in a low-risk pregnancy: at about weeks 11 to 14, about weeks 18 to 22, and about weeks 32 to 36.
• Group B strep swab: The group B strep swab is taken at weeks 35-37.
• Whooping cough vaccine: The free whooping cough vaccine is given at weeks 27-36, ideally weeks 27-28.
• Emergency care: Emergency care is available at any hospital emergency department or by calling 112, with no health card needed.

Pregnancy care: the whole process, step by step

• Before conceiving: start folic acid and iodine and check rubella immunity (Planning a pregnancy: preconception care in Spain): folic acid at least 1 month before conception and through the first 12 weeks

• If you are moving while pregnant, plan the move for the second trimester (Moving to Spain while pregnant: timing and continuity of care): about weeks 14 to 27 is usually the most comfortable time

• Know where to go in an emergency (Getting pregnancy care before your health card or status is sorted): from the day you arrive: call 112 or go to any hospital emergency department, no health card needed

• Book your first visit with the matrona (Starting pregnancy care with a midwife (matrona)): before week 10 and no later than weeks 10 to 12

• Have the first-trimester blood tests and the first scan (Scans and tests during pregnancy in Spain, trimester by trimester; Genetic screening choices in pregnancy and what is free): blood test at weeks 8-13+6, scan at about weeks 11 to 14

• Have the morphology scan (Scans and tests during pregnancy in Spain, trimester by trimester): about weeks 18 to 22, usually week 20

• Do the glucose test (Scans and tests during pregnancy in Spain, trimester by trimester): weeks 24-28

• Get the free whooping cough and flu vaccines (Vaccines and food precautions in pregnancy, including cured ham): whooping cough at weeks 27-36, ideally weeks 27-28; flu at any stage in flu season

• Sign up for free antenatal classes with the matrona (Antenatal classes (preparación al parto) and where to find them): classes usually begin around weeks 28 to 32

• If you plan to fly, ask your doctor or midwife for a fit-to-fly letter (Moving to Spain while pregnant: timing and continuity of care): many airlines ask for it from about 28 weeks, dated within 7 to 10 days of the flight

• Have the third scan (Scans and tests during pregnancy in Spain, trimester by trimester): about weeks 32 to 36

• Have the group B strep swab (Scans and tests during pregnancy in Spain, trimester by trimester): weeks 35-37

• Stop flying for a single baby (Moving to Spain while pregnant: timing and continuity of care): most airlines stop at about 36 weeks, and about 32 weeks for twins

Documents you may need

Identity and residence

• Padrón

Translations and legal papers

• Simple translation of records that are not in English — Moving to Spain while pregnant: timing and continuity of care

Other documents

• Fit-to-fly letter from your doctor or midwife — Moving to Spain while pregnant: timing and continuity of care
• Summary of the pregnancy so far — Moving to Spain while pregnant: timing and continuity of care
• Blood test results — Moving to Spain while pregnant: timing and continuity of care
• Your medical history and current medications — Moving to Spain while pregnant: timing and continuity of care
• Health card number — Starting pregnancy care with a midwife (matrona)
• Cartilla de la embarazada — Starting pregnancy care with a midwife (matrona)
• Signed declaration that you have no health coverage from another source — Getting pregnancy care before your health card or status is sorted
• The airline's own form — Moving to Spain while pregnant: timing and continuity of care

Each article lists the other documents it asks for, where you need them.

Pregnancy care: questions that cross several articles

How soon can I see a midwife after arriving in Spain without a health card?

You can get emergency care at once, and routine care usually starts with a matrona appointment a few days to a few weeks after you register at your centro de salud. Many regions allow a first appointment while the health card is processed.

Can I fly to Spain late in pregnancy and what paperwork do airlines want?

Yes, you can usually fly up to about 36 weeks with one baby, or about 32 weeks with twins, if the pregnancy is uncomplicated. From about 28 weeks many airlines want a doctor's or midwife's letter dated within 7 to 10 days of the flight.

Who do I see first for pregnancy care in Spain, and how early?

Your first contact is the matrona at the centro de salud for your address, and sometimes the family doctor confirms the pregnancy first. Aim for a visit before week 10 so tests and scans are booked on time.

Do the rules for my pregnancy checks differ by region?

Yes, each autonomous community publishes its own pregnancy protocol, so scans, screening cut-offs and extra tests can differ. Your matrona can give you your region's version. Read Scans and tests during pregnancy in Spain, trimester by trimester and Genetic screening choices in pregnancy and what is free.