Frequently Asked Questions About Obstetrics and Pregnancy Care
Everything you need to know about obstetrics services and pregnancy monitoring at our clinic in Barcelona.
Main Topics
General Questions
Pregnancy Diagnosis
Prenatal Care
Featured Questions
Can my partner attend appointments and ultrasounds?
Is a positive pharmacy pregnancy test enough, or not?
Is light bleeding normal at the beginning of pregnancy?
What is first-trimester triple screening?
Which mandatory tests are included in pregnancy care?
What information does the first ultrasound provide?
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General Questions
Pregnancy Diagnosis
Prenatal Care
General Questions
When should I schedule my first obstetrics visit after a positive test?
At that appointment, the pregnancy is confirmed by ultrasound, the embryo is visualised, and the heartbeat can be heard.
What’s the difference between private and public prenatal follow-up?
Private follow-up offers continuity of care with the same medical team, which builds a stronger relationship of trust.
In addition, appointments are usually longer, with time to answer questions, and with greater schedule flexibility.
Does private follow-up include care during delivery?
Follow-up focuses on outpatient prenatal care (visits and tests during pregnancy).
For delivery, care is coordinated with reference hospitals in Barcelona, ensuring a safe and planned handover.
Is it normal to have nausea and fatigue in the first weeks of pregnancy?
They usually improve over time and can be relieved with simple measures explained at the first visit.
Can I choose to always be seen by the same obstetrician?
Yes. One of the pillars of private follow-up is continuity of care.
Whenever possible, the same specialist will oversee all visits throughout pregnancy.
Is it normal to have light bleeding or spotting early in pregnancy?
It can be due to embryo implantation or minor cervical changes.
However, it’s important to always have it assessed in consultation to rule out complications such as threatened miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy.
If you have any bleeding, it is recommended to see an obstetrician for an evaluation with ultrasound.
Which foods are not recommended during pregnancy?
During pregnancy, it’s best to avoid foods that increase the risk of infections or may affect the baby’s development:
– Raw or undercooked meat, fish, and seafood.
– Soft cheeses and unpasteurised dairy products.
– Cold cuts and deli meats without prior cooking.
– Fish with high mercury content (swordfish, bluefin tuna, shark).
– Alcohol and excessive caffeine.
Following a varied, balanced, and safe diet is essential for maternal and fetal health.
Which supplements should I take during pregnancy (folic acid, iodine, iron)?
The most important supplement is folic acid, recommended even before conception to prevent neural tube defects.
In Spain, supplementation with iodine is also advised, unless medically contraindicated, to support the baby’s neurological development.
Iron is prescribed based on blood test results and is not always necessary from the start.
Your obstetrician will assess which supplements you need on an individual basis, depending on your health status and test results.
Pregnancy Diagnosis
Is a positive pharmacy pregnancy test enough, or should I confirm it at the clinic?
A positive pharmacy test is very reliable, but at the clinic it is confirmed with a blood test (Beta-hCG) and an ultrasound.
This allows us to confirm that the pregnancy is correctly located in the uterus.
What’s the difference between a urine test and a blood test (Beta-hCG)?
The blood test is more sensitive, can confirm pregnancy earlier, and provides a numerical value that helps assess early progression in the first days.
When is it recommended to do a blood pregnancy test or an ultrasound?
With just a few days of a missed period, a blood test is already reliable.
For an ultrasound, you need to wait until week 5 or 6, when it’s possible to see the gestational sac in the uterus.
What information does the first ultrasound provide?
The first ultrasound is a crucial step. It provides three vital pieces of information:
– Confirm pregnancy location and ensure it is not ectopic.
– Accurately determine weeks of pregnancy (dating).
– And from week 6, check the embryonic heartbeat, which confirms that everything is progressing well.
What happens after the pregnancy is confirmed at the clinic?
The medical team explains the results, discusses the available options and, if you continue the pregnancy, schedules the first follow-up visit.
In cases of an unplanned pregnancy, the legal and safe alternatives are explained.
Prenatal Care
Can my partner attend appointments and ultrasounds?
Yes. Partner involvement is encouraged, especially during ultrasounds, which are meaningful moments in pregnancy follow-up.
What happens if a problem is detected at the 20-week anatomy scan?
The anatomy scan is a detailed examination. Most findings are minor or only require follow-up.
If relevant findings are detected, they are explained clearly and additional tests are recommended if needed.
What is first-trimester triple screening?
This is a screening test that combines ultrasound and blood-test data to calculate the risk of chromosomal abnormalities.
An abnormal result is not a diagnosis, but indicates the need to perform more specific tests.
What should I do if I have a question or symptom between appointments?
If you have any concerns, it’s recommended to contact the clinic.
Clear guidance is provided to identify the symptoms that require urgent assessment and those that can wait until the next visit.
What are the advantages of private monitoring compared to public care?
Private prenatal care offers continuity with the same team, greater availability of time during appointments, flexibility in scheduling, and a closer, more personalised setting.
Which mandatory tests are included in pregnancy care in Spain?
The standard pregnancy follow-up protocol in Spain includes several routine tests:
– Blood and urine tests in different trimesters.
– Basic ultrasounds at week 12, 20 (anatomy scan), and 32.
– First-trimester screening (triple screening) to calculate the risk of chromosomal abnormalities.
– A glucose test between weeks 24 and 28.
– Blood pressure and weight checks at each visit.
Depending on how the pregnancy progresses, the obstetrician may request additional tests.
What’s the difference between a routine ultrasound and a 3D/4D ultrasound?
A routine (2D) ultrasound provides the essential medical information about fetal growth, anatomy, and wellbeing.
A 3D/4D ultrasound, on the other hand, provides more realistic and moving images of the baby, but it does not replace diagnostic ultrasound.
Its value is mainly complementary and emotional, although in some cases it can help visualise specific structures in greater detail.
What is the glucose test or “glucose tolerance test,” and when is it done?
This is a test to screen for gestational diabetes.
It measures how the body responds to an oral glucose load. In Spain, it is usually done between weeks 24 and 28 of pregnancy.
If the result is abnormal, it is confirmed with a more comprehensive test (extended glucose tolerance test).
Detecting this condition early is essential to prevent complications during pregnancy and delivery.