The maternity logbook – when does it start?
The maternity log is a valuable companion throughout your pregnancy. That is why your doctor will give you the 16-page booklet as soon as he or she has determined that you are pregnant. The stamp of the doctor’s office or the midwife in charge goes on the first page. Below that, the dates for the individual examinations are entered so that you don’t miss any of them.
The maternity logbook – when does it start?
The maternity log is a valuable companion throughout your pregnancy. That is why your doctor will give you the 16-page booklet as soon as he or she has determined that you are pregnant. The stamp of the doctor’s office or the midwife in charge goes on the first page. Below that, the dates for the individual examinations are entered so that you don’t miss any of them.
Advantages of the digital maternity passport
Should you opt for the e-maternity passport, all examination results will be stored in your ePA. This means that all relevant information, such as findings and images from ultrasound examinations, are bundled, structured and available at all times. The scheduled appointment reminder function is also handy for upcoming check-ups.
Can my midwife process the maternity log?
A mobile system that allows midwives to access their ePA directly during home visits is also planned for 2023.
Maternity passport: explanations in detail
Pages two and three in the maternity passport are reserved for the various blood tests (serological examinations). The rest is reserved primarily for the preventive examinations.
Maternity passport – page 2: blood group, rhesus factor and antibodies
Furthermore, it is noted whether the woman’s red blood cells carry the so-called rhesus factor on their surface. If the blood of the mother and unborn child differ in this respect – or more precisely, if the mother is rhesus-negative but the child is rhesus-positive – this can be dangerous for the offspring (rhesus incompatibility).
Maternity log – page 3: Infections
On page three, the doctor enters, for example, whether the urine test showed you to be infected with chlamydia. This increases the risk of miscarriage, premature birth, inflammation of the lungs, eyes or urinary organs and must therefore be treated with antibiotics.
Also, the result of the HIV test (AIDS virus) is not recorded in the maternity record, only its performance. The test is recommended to all pregnant women, but it is voluntary. It may be performed only after a consultation and with the consent of the pregnant woman.
A test for toxoplasmosis is only carried out if there is a well-founded suspicion, as an initial infection during pregnancy can lead to damage to the child’s eyes and brain.
A B-streptococcus infection during pregnancy can spread to the child – with serious consequences. The current guideline recommends testing for this bacterial infection in the 36th week of pregnancy.
Maternity log – page 4: Previous pregnancies
Under “Information on previous pregnancies” on page four, all previous pregnancies (course, any complications) as well as any cesarean sections, suction cup and forceps births are entered. Miscarriages and premature births as well as terminations and ectopic pregnancies are also noted. The sex of children already born, their height and weight at birth are also noted.
Maternity Passport – Page 5: General and Initial Screenings
He will also advise you on various topics such as nutrition, sports, travel, pregnancy gymnastics and cancer screening.
Maternity record – page 6: findings and date of birth
The expected date of birth is also entered on this page in the maternity log.
Maternity log – pages 7 and 8: The gravidogram
The gravidogram is a diagram in which the results of the various screening examinations are entered – in other words, a clear representation of the course of pregnancy in the maternity log. Abbreviations such as SFA or QF are confusing at first glance, but are quickly explained:
The position of the baby is entered in the “Child position” column – usually only in the second half of pregnancy: SL stands for cranial position and BEL for breech presentation. In addition, the fetal heart tones and fetal movements are also noted.
Your own state of health is also recorded in the gravidogram. The item “Edema, varicosis” is marked with a + or – to indicate whether you have been diagnosed with water retention or varicose veins during preventive examinations.
Your weight gain can be tracked based on the entries in the “Weight” column. If you gain an excessive amount of weight, it could be dangerous for you and your child.
“Hb (Ery)” provides information about the hemoglobin (blood pigment) level in your blood, indicating the oxygen-carrying capacity of the red blood cells. If the value falls below 10.5 grams per deciliter (g/dl), you have anemia. The doctor will then prescribe an iron supplement.
Under “Vaginal examination”, the doctor can enter any palpation findings. For example, the abbreviation “MM Ø” means that the cervix is still closed. Cervix o.B.” indicates that the uterine canal is “without findings” (i.e., intact).
Maternity log – page 9: special features and heartbeat labor recorder
Page nine in the maternity log is reserved for findings (such as an amniocentesis), illnesses or even hospitalizations during pregnancy.
In the section “Cardiotocographic findings”, the results of the heart sound contraction recorder (cardiotocograph or CTG) are noted.
Maternity record – pages 10, 11, 12 and 14: Ultrasound examinations.
Maternity log – page 13: norm curves for fetal growth.
On page 13 in your maternity record, you will find a norm curve for fetal growth. This records the growth of your child: For this purpose, the body length, head and abdominal diameter of your offspring are measured at every ultrasound examination. This makes it possible to track the development of growth.
Maternity record – pages 15 and 16: Final examinations
Information about the birth of your child will then also be provided here. For example, the course of the birth and the result of your child’s Apgar test will be noted. This test checks breathing, pulse, muscle tension, skin color and the ability to trigger reflexes immediately after birth.
Maternity passport: Keeping it makes sense!
You should keep the maternity passport well – not only for yourself as a reminder of the pregnancy and birth, but also as a valuable source of information for your doctor in the event of another pregnancy.
