Just got a BFP, new to site and living in France.

[MountainLassie]

Just got a BFP this morning, living in France and this will be my first. Anyone living in France got any words of advice?

[christiana]

Message withdrawn

[MountainLassie]

I've been trying to find out what the abbreviations mean for last week - didn't want to place a message til I was up to speed!

[chocolatine]

Hi
I?m 14 weeks and also in France!
I?m not really an expert as I?m still trying to work it all out myself, but what I?ve discovered so far is:
In theory, either your GP or a gynaecologist can monitor your pregnancy (at least during the first part) ? BUT some GPs don?t / won?t. When I went to see my normal GP, he asked me if I was ill, then gave me a prescription for a blood test and said ?Go and see a gynaecologist. Have a nice pregnancy!?.
Luckily I found another GP who does monitor pregnancies, and she sorted me out for booking the 12 week scan, gave me the necessary tests and exams etc and is doing my monthly check-ups (I?m not against gynaecologists, it?s just that it?s a pain to get an appointment?for me a GP was much easier!).
Depending on where you are, you might need to sort out your ?maternité? as well. In Paris, if you want somewhere popular, you need to do it almost immediately ? as soon as you get your BFP. I?m not sure if this is true outside Paris ? probably less so. There?s a great site Le top des maternités (www.maman.fr/maternite.php) which gives info on the different ones and has feedback from new mums.
A few other random things: they are not really into their folic acid here (the general line seems to be that eating broccoli is enough), and so I just took it without making a big deal of it with the doctor. And toxoplasmosis is apparently a bigger risk for us as most Brits haven?t had it, but it?s quite common in France, so I?ve been really careful with all the things you?re not supposed to eat.
Not sure if that was the kind of info you were looking for ? let me know if you have other questions or just want to keep in touch!

[funnypeculiar]

Looks like you've had lots of good help there - just wanted to say welcome to mn

[Cadbury]

No knowledge of being up the duff en France, but I just wanted to welcome you to Mumsnet and wish you all the best with your pregancy

[Othersideofthechannel]

Congrats Chocolatine and Mountainlass

There are a handful of mumsnetters in France. Where are you? I'm in up north, practically in Belgium!

[Othersideofthechannel]

I don't know what a BFP is and I can't find the acronym list now the site has been revamped.

[MmeLindt]

Congratulations and welcome to MN.

I am just over the border in Switzerland.

[MmeLindt]

Big Fat Positive

ie. positive pregnancy test

[BennyAndSwoon]

Othersideofthechannel - acronym list should be under useful stuff which is in the links up top

[bunnyfrance]

Hi,
Congrats on your BFP!
I'm also in France (Strasbourg) and 11 weeks today. I find the antenatal care really good here - am followed by my gynaecologist who gave me an early scan at 8 weeks no problem.
Thanks for the link on maternités - I'll go and check it out. I get the impression they don't give you much choice in how you're going to give birth - everyone just seems to opt for epidurals and they think you're really weird if you want to try for a natural birth. Oh well, we'll see closer to the time!

[tigerbump]

I am in France aswell just 2 hours south of paris. Where abouts are you? be great to touch base and chat more about being a pregnant mum in France as its very different if you dont have the support network around you.

Anyway congrats! Here is my 2 pennies...

I had a crap local Doctor so jumped the process and contacted the Hospital direct (the same hosptail I plan to have the baby in.)

You need to book your 12 week Scan ASAP. I booked mine at 6 weeks and only just got an appointment at the 12.5 week stage. Be warned a lot of hospitals here to the nuchal scan which could mean a vaginal scan (doesnt hurt at all!)

You then see your Gyne monthly (mine is at the same hospital). I had all my appointments booked up at 8 weeks pregnant.

At 15 weeks you will probably be told (and given a prescription) by your Gyne for full bloods and Urine tests. The best thing about france is that results go to the Doctor in 24 hours, so you dont have long to wait if there are any concerns. The Gyne will call you if he has issues with the results.

You then have scans like the UK at 20 weeks (can detemine sex of baby) and 30-32 weeks. Again all mine were booked when I went for my 12 week scan. In fact I have to go to a private clinic for the 20 week one as the hospital were fully booked!

At 5 or 6 months you may be invited by the hospital for a tour (each region differs) this will then allow you to see the rooms and birthing. You get to chat to the midwife one on one to talk about birthing options. You then have at least 1 antenatal class before this.

I really recommend you read Wendys blog here as if you are doing this on the french healthy system it helps you understand the paperwork. Luckily we are doing this on private insurance so jut a case of paying when we go and claiming back. having-a-baby-in-france.blogspot.com/

I have to say my experience of the GYNE and Doctors here to date has been fantastic. Hospitals look after you even if you have to wait based on delays and they are very thorough. Be warned you will get physical examinations at every Gyne visit, you get used to having your legs open very early on!

[castille]

Hello mountainlass, and congratulations.

I've had 3 babies in France, and it would seem that procedures for scans, check-ups etc vary hugely between areas and hospitals. So my best advice would be see your GP asap and get some info from him/her about local options.

Whereabouts in France are you and how good is your French?

[tigerbump]

I know what castille means, my french is still basic although I can get about 70% of words now and can converse although my mission is to learn pregnancy and health terms. i started this post which may be of use, my general experience is on the the main blog.
mumsjustlove.com/pregnancy/?p=38

[Othersideofthechannel]

Thanks Benny and Mme Lindt. I didn't discover MN until my youngest was 2.