Pregnant in France: the first things to do
The first weeks of a pregnancy in France come with a handful of things to sort out, and the one that matters most is the déclaration de grossesse before the end of the third month — it is what opens both your 100% medical cover and your CAF entitlements. Nothing here needs a referral: a GP, a gynaecologist or a sage-femme can all run a normal pregnancy, and the compulsory examinations cost you nothing once the pregnancy is declared. Checked 22 September 2026.
Declare your pregnancy (déclaration de grossesse)
This is the one that starts everything else. Your doctor or midwife declares the pregnancy online to the Assurance Maladie and the CAF, so in most cases you do nothing — but check it has been done. Checked against caf.fr on 22 September 2026.
Paperbump schedules this usually between week 6 and week 14 of the pregnancy. What this step involves · caf.fr
First prenatal consultation (première consultation prénatale)
French pregnancy care runs on seven compulsory prenatal consultations, and this is the first of them. It has to happen before the end of the third month, and it is the appointment at which the pregnancy is normally declared. Checked against ameli.fr on 21 September 2026.
Paperbump schedules this usually between week 6 and week 13 of the pregnancy. What this step involves · ameli.fr
Early prenatal interview (entretien prénatal précoce)
A long appointment that is not a medical examination: it is a conversation, usually with a midwife, about how the pregnancy is going for you — at home, at work, in your head. It is compulsory and covered at 100%, and it is the one most people have never heard of. Checked against ameli.fr on 21 September 2026.
Paperbump schedules this usually between week 14 and week 18 of the pregnancy. What this step involves · ameli.fr
First ultrasound (échographie de datation)
The first of the three ultrasounds offered during a French pregnancy, usually between 11 and 13 weeks. It dates the pregnancy, checks how many babies there are, and includes the nuchal measurement used in first-trimester screening. Checked against ameli.fr on 21 September 2026.
Paperbump schedules this usually between week 11 and week 14 of the pregnancy. What this step involves · ameli.fr
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