The early prenatal check-up, the new maternity booklet, the childbirth preparation sessions: the French perinatal pathway has become more comprehensive in recent years. However, most online content remains superficial, offering lifestyle advice that every pregnant woman already knows by the second trimester. Here, we prefer to delve into the details of recent measures and the points of vigilance that truly make a difference for the mother and the baby.
Early prenatal check-up: an underutilized appointment by families
The early prenatal check-up (EPP) is now integrated as a mandatory appointment in pregnancy follow-up, starting from the fourth month. It can be conducted by a midwife or a doctor, at the patient’s choice. Its role goes far beyond the classic medical assessment.
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The EPP serves to formalize the birth plan, identify a need for psychological or social support, and direct towards appropriate structures (PMI, local perinatal network). We observe that many couples still perceive it as a mere administrative formality, whereas it constitutes the first real moment of individualized exchange about the conditions of childbirth and the return home.
For those seeking practical information on Maman Bébé Conseils, this type of appointment benefits from being prepared in advance with a list of concrete questions: choice of maternity hospital, breastfeeding, pain management, presence of the co-parent in the delivery room.
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New maternity booklet: structure and practical use postpartum
A new version of the maternity booklet came into effect in France on March 1st, with a complete overhaul of its structure. The document is now divided into five distinct parts: discovering pregnancy, living well during pregnancy, the arrival of the baby, returning home, and postpartum follow-up.
The booklet must be presented at each consultation up to six to eight weeks after childbirth. This point is often overlooked. In practice, the booklet serves as a common thread between the various healthcare professionals involved (gynecologist, private midwife, pediatrician, PMI). Without this up-to-date document, information about the course of childbirth or any potential neonatal complications can be lost between two caregivers.
What the booklet does not replace
The maternity booklet does not replace either the child’s health booklet or the shared medical record. It covers the perinatal period, not long-term pediatric follow-up. We recommend keeping both documents separately and checking, upon leaving the maternity ward, that the newborn’s data (birth weight, Apgar score, results of neonatal screenings) are properly recorded in the health booklet.
Childbirth preparation: beyond traditional sessions
Childbirth and parenting preparation sessions are covered by health insurance, but their content varies greatly from one practitioner to another. The most common format remains the group class led by a midwife, focused on breathing, postures, and pain management.
Several methods coexist, and the choice deserves careful consideration based on the profile of the pregnant woman:
- Classic group preparation: breathing work, information on the physiological course of childbirth, exchanges between future parents. Suitable for first-time mothers who want a structured framework.
- Haptonomy: an approach centered on the prenatal emotional bond, actively involving the co-parent. Sessions often begin as early as the fifth month and require regular follow-up.
- Pool preparation: joint mobilization in weightlessness, relief from third-trimester back pain. Contraindicated in cases of premature rupture of membranes or placenta previa.
- Sophrology or perinatal hypnosis: visualization and muscle relaxation techniques, particularly useful for women experiencing significant anxiety about childbirth.
A visit to the place of birth, whether physical or virtual, is a complement that is too often neglected. Visualizing the delivery room reduces anxiety on the day of childbirth, especially for a first child. Some maternity hospitals now offer online tours with photos and videos of the spaces.
Postpartum and newborn well-being: key points to monitor at home
The return home after maternity remains the most destabilizing phase for parents. Discharge advice covers sleeping, feeding, and hygiene, but some technical guidelines are not well detailed during the hospital stay.
Safe sleeping for the infant
The baby sleeps alone, on their back, in a crib with a firm mattress fitted to the exact dimensions of the bed. No pillow, no duvet, no bumper: these items increase the risk of suffocation. The room temperature should be maintained between 18 and 20 degrees. A sleep sack suitable for the season replaces any blanket.
Monitoring transit and regurgitation
Regurgitation is common in the first weeks and does not necessarily warrant a consultation. However, projectile vomiting, weight loss, or prolonged refusal to feed require prompt medical advice.
The transit of a breastfed infant differs significantly from that of an infant fed with formula. A breastfed baby can have several stools a day or just one every few days without it being pathological, provided they are gaining weight normally and the stools remain soft.
Breastfeeding: professional support and warning signs
The initiation of breastfeeding occurs in the first hours after birth. Lactation consultants (IBCLC) address issues that general practitioners may not always have time to tackle: restrictive tongue tie, insufficient milk transfer, recurrent mastitis.
We recommend seeking specialized support as soon as one of these warning signs appears:
- Persistent pain beyond the first week despite correcting the latch
- Weight loss of the infant exceeding the thresholds set by the pediatrician at discharge from the maternity
- Severe engorgement or episodes of fever associated with a hardened area of the breast
Peer support (associations, mother groups) complements professional assistance but does not replace it when a mechanical or infectious problem is identified.
The perinatal pathway would benefit from being approached as a continuum, from the EPP to late postpartum follow-up. The tools exist, with the new maternity booklet at the forefront. It remains for each family to actively engage with it, asking the right questions to the right professional at the right time.