9. Receiving Health Care in France

1. 9.1. General Practitioners
   9.2. Consultants
   9.3. Prescriptions
   9.4. Emergency Treatment
   9.5. Hospital Treatment
   9.6. Maternity Care

9.6. Maternity Care in France

Standards of maternity care across the country are generally very high, and there is also good financial support available to new mothers.

A woman who becomes pregnant is obliged to inform their local Caisse at least four calendar months prior to expected date of delivery of the baby.

They are then required to comply with a schedule of pre and post-natal medical examinations the full costs of which are met by the social security system.

There are a total of 7 obligatory pre-natal examinations that must be undertaken at specific intervals, beginning with a first examination at the end of the third month of the pregnancy.

After the birth of the child there are then a further twenty obligatory examinations of the child which must be undertaken up to the age of 6 years old.

All costs associated with the birth of the child, including the costs of hospitalisation are met in full by the social security system.

That having been said, some specialists may impose excess charges above the official rates, which are not reimbursable by the social security, but this practice is not widespread. You need to ask.