Congratulations on your pregnancy

There are many things to consider and deal with as a pregnant woman or partner in connection with pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period. To help you as much as possible, we have prepared an overview of what you can expect.

Appointments during your pregnancy

Appointments with a midwife 

You will be offered four to six consultations with a midwife during your pregnancy. The midwife will monitor the baby's development and talk to you about healthy habits while pregnant. You will also discuss the physical changes you will experience and the emotional changes that you and your partner may experience during the pregnancy. The midwife will also help you prepare for the birth.

We thrive to ensure that you see the same midwife throughout your pregnancy. We recommend that you keep your scheduled appointments, as we cannot guarantee that you will see the same midwife if changes are made.

Appointments with your general practitioner

You will be offered three consultations with your own doctor around weeks 8-10 of pregnancy and weeks 25 and 32 of pregnancy. You have to book these appointments yourself.

Ultrasound scans during your pregnancy

All pregnant women are offered two ultrasound scans at the hospital.

During the first trimester ultrasound (weeks 11-14 of pregnancy) we will calculate your due date and ascertain whether there are one or more living foetuses. You will also be offered a risk assessment to ascertain the probability of your child having any genetic deviations such as Down's syndrome. The probability is calculated based on your age, the scan itself and a blood test taken at the hospital blood test departments prior to the first trimester scan. The blood test is called a double test. You can book an appointment at www.regionh.dk/blodproever (in Danish only). Visit www.regionh.dk/nakkefold to book an appointment for the first trimester scan (in Danish only).

During the second trimester ultrasound (weeks 18-20 of pregnancy), we will check the development of the foetus and scan its organs for any visible abnormalities. If you wish, we can tell you the sex of the child during this scan. If you have not already booked your second trimester ultrasound a few weeks before week 20 of your pregnancy, contact Ultralydsklinikken, afsnit 449 (ultrasound clinic, section 449). The telephone number can be found under ‘Contact information’.

Bring one adult companion

You are welcome to bring along your partner or other adult companion. We do not recommend bringing children. In the unlikely event that the scanning shows an abnormality, it can be difficult to also take care of a child. If it is difficult for you to find someone to take care of your child on the day of the appointment, we recommend rescheduling.

Appointments with an obstetrician

Some pregnant women will be offered consultations with an obstetrician at the hospital due to illness or if there is a risk of complications in connection with the pregnancy that may affect either the child or mother. In some cases, we also offer to conduct a scan. If we assess that a consultation is necessary, you will receive an invitation via digital post in your e-Boks or at www.borger.dk.

There may be several people at the scan

There may be several people in attendance during the scan, e.g. trainees. We may also need to spar with doctors, midwives or sonographers.

Preparation in pregnancy

The healthcare app

You can follow your pregnancy, get advice, guidance and prepare yourself for parenthood using the Danish Health Authority’s new app, Min Graviditet.

Breastfeeding preparation

We recommend that you start thinking about breastfeeding early in your pregnancy. You can find information, guidance and free support on the website ammenet.dk

Antenatal classes

We provide different types of antenatal classes depending on your pregnancy. We have antenatal classes for first-time parents, twin pregnancies, and English speakers. You can sign up for antenatal classes via your midwife or the secretary at the midwife centres.

Read more about the our classes, watch films and find other useful information at www.hvidovrehospital.dk/bliv klar (in Danish only) You can also hold your smartphone camera over this QR code:

Municipal services during your pregnancy

All municipalities offer various services for pregnant women and families with babies or young children. For an overview of services in your municipality, go to www.sundhed.dk/borger/ guides/sundhedstilbud (in Danish only).

Other matters to be aware of during pregnancy

Breastfeeding consultation

It is important that you tell your midwife if you have had surgery on one or both of your breasts. You should also mention any nipple piercings.
Some pregnant women are offered a referral for consultations with the public health nurse in the local municipality to prevent complications related to breastfeeding. You will be offered a referral for a consultation if you:

• have had surgery on your breasts e.g. a breast reduction, a nipple repositioning or received breast implants.
• previously had problems with breastfeeding.
• are in doubt about whether you want to breastfeed or have any other concerns regarding breastfeeding.

Gestational diabetes

We will offer to test you for gestational diabetes if you:

• have previously had gestational diabetes
• have previously given birth to a child weighing 4,500 grams or more at birth
• have sugar in your urine during a midwife consultation
• had a BMI of 27 or higher prior to your pregnancy
• have children, siblings, parents or grandparents with type 1 or type 2 diabetes
• have PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome)
• are pregnant with more than one child.

The test is usually done around weeks 10-20 of pregnancy and once again between weeks 24-28. We offer to repeat the test in some circumstances.

Rhesus negative blood type

If your blood type is rhesus negative, we recommend having a blood sample taken in around week 25 of your pregnancy by your general practitioner. The blood sample will show the blood type of your baby. 
If your baby is rhesus negative, the Danish Health Authority recommends that you receive an injection of anti-D during the 29th week of pregnancy and then again soon after delivery. The injections will prevent your immune system from creating antibodies against your child’s blood. Your midwife will make sure you receive the injections.

Twin pregnancy

If you are expecting twins, you will be offered additional check-ups with a midwife or doctor, and additional scans. The number of check-ups will depend on whether the foetuses have their own amniotic sacks or whether they share a single or both amniotic sacks. If they have completely separate amniotic sacks, they are known as dichorionic twins. If they share at one of the two membranes, then they are known as monochorionic twins. We can usually tell whether they are dichorionic or monochorionic during a scan.

Pregnant women who have had bariatric surgery

If you have had bariatric surgery, your check-ups will be with a midwife who specialises in taking care of women who have previously undergone surgery. Furthermore, you will also be monitored by an obstetrician and be offered additional scans.

Childbirth after previous caesarian section

If you have previously given birth via caesarian section, you can find information and additional help regarding  the decision on how to give birth this time atwww.hvidovrehospital.dk/ efterkejsersnit (in Danish only).

Healthy habits during pregnancy

Diet and exercise

All pregnant women should eat a varied diet and exercise regularly. We recommend following the seven official dietary recommendations:

• Eat plant-rich, varied and not too much.
• Eat more vegetables and fruit.
• Eat less meat - choose legumes and fish.
• Eat whole grain.
• Choose vegetable oils and low-fat dairy products.
• Eat less sweet, salty and fatty foods.
• Quench your thirst with water.

Be moderately physically active at least 30 minutes every day. Moderately active means that you move at a rate that leaves you a little out of breath e.g. walking, bike riding, gardening, swimming and weight training.

If you are vegan or vegetarian, it is important that you check the specific recommendations for your diet.

You can read more about the official dietary recommendations at www.sst.dk.

Special recommendations for pregnant vegans and vegetarians are available from the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration at www.altomkost.dk (in Danish only).

Vitamins and iron supplements

We recommend following the Danish Health Authority’s recommendations for pregnant women. Take the following daily:

• 400 micrograms of folic acid up to week 12 of your pregnancy
• 10 micrograms of vitamin D throughout your pregnancy
• 40-50 milligrams of iron from week 10 of pregnancy until birth
• 500 milligrams of calcium or eat and drink what corresponds to half a litre of dairy products throughout your pregnancy.

Avoid smoking

Danish Health Authority recommends that you avoid smoking as soon as you find out that you are pregnant. Smoking is harmful to foetal development and can, at worst, cause permanent harm to the child.

We also recommend that you do not use products containing nicotine when you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Second-hand smoke can harm your child during pregnancy and breastfeeding as harmful substances from smoke can be absorbed in breast milk.

If you want to reduce your consumption or become totally smoke-free, free help is available via Stoplinien. Send a text with the word ‘GRAVID’ to 1231.  Stoplinien will then contact you within a few days and provide counselling to you over the phone. This offer is also available for your partner.
You can find more information on giving up smoking during pregnancy at www.roegfribaby.dk (in Danish only).

Pharmaceutical, alcohol and other product use

Danish Health Authority recommends that pregnant women avoid alcohol and drugs. If you have an alcohol or drug consumption, tell your midwife or general practitioner about it, as we have a special programme for you. Please also let us know if your partner consumes drugs.

If you take medicine on a daily basis, or if you take addictive medication, e.g. strong pain-relieving medicine or sleeping pills, you should also talk to your doctor or your midwife about what to do. There may also be specific recommendations for herbal medicine.

You can also contact Trygmor  at +45 38 63 63 63, an organisation that provides free counselling for pregnant women about medicine during pregnancy.

Lev uden Vold (Living without violence)

Talk to your midwife if you are subjected to violence or intense conflict, or dial 1888 to reach the Lev Uden vold (Live without violence) 24-hour hotline.

Giving birth

Contact us when it is time to give birth

If you are having regular contractions, your water has broken, you begin to bleed or you feel less movement, contact Fødemodtagelsen (pregnancy and maternity admissions). Together with you, we will determine whether it is time for you to come to the hospital or if you should wait at home a little longer.

If you are giving birth at home, call the midwife at Fødemodtagelsen to see if it is time for your midwife to come to your home.

If you have had a caesarian section in connection with a previous delivery, call us when you begin to have contractions.

Have a bag ready

It is a good idea to pack a bag with all the things you will need to take with you to the hospital when you give birth. For example comfortable clothing, toiletries, clothes and a duvet for the newborn, extra food.

Giving birth on the delivery ward

The delivery ward can handle both easy births and more complicated births that require extra monitoring of both the child and mother.

Giving birth at a maternity clinic

A maternity clinic is an option if the future mother is healthy and there have been no complications during the pregnancy. Using the clinic also requires that labour has begun naturally and that no complications are expected during delivery.

Giving birth at home

Giving birth at home is an option when the mother is in good health and there have been no complications with the pregnancy. The midwife will come to your home and help you during delivery, and will stay with you for two hours after the child is born.

If any complications arise during delivery, you will be transferred to the delivery ward. The midwife will accompany you if this happens.

You will be given more information about giving birth at home during your consultation with the midwife.

After giving birth

Outpatient birth

An outpatient can food requires that you are in good health, that you give birth without complications and the child does not need any additional treatment at the hospital after delivery. An outpatient birth means that you will go home again approximately 4 hours after giving birth.
The hospital will stay in touch with you until your first visit by the health visitor.

If you have given birth at home

If you give birth at home without complications, you will be offered the same services as women who give birth at hospital as outpatients.

Staying at the hospital after giving birth

If there were complications during pregnancy or delivery, or if you or your child require hospitalisation after the birth, you can stay on the maternity ward. This also applies if you are a first-time mother.

Appointments after birth

Hearing screening and blood sample from the child’s heel

All newborns have a blood sample taken from their heel and are offered a hearing screening. The hearing screening can be done 3-14 days after birth. It can be done later in some cases, up to 2 months after birth. The blood sample is used to check for several different and rare metabolic disorders. Before you leave the delivery ward, we will set up an appointment to take the blood sample. The blood sample must be taken from your child’s heel 48-72 hours after birth.

Post-birth consultation

You are welcome to contact us if you need to talk about the birth. We can help you get in touch with the midwife or doctor who was present at the birth, or who you were in contact with during the pregnancy. The need to talk about it can arise a long time after the birth.

Appointments with your general practitioner

You will need to book two appointments with your general practitioner. The first appointment for a check-up of the child should be scheduled for approx. five weeks after the birth. The second appointment, a gynaecological examination, should be scheduled for eight weeks after the birth.

Health visitor

If you have given your consent, we will inform a health visitor that you have given birth. The health visitor will then contact you to set up a visit. You can find your health visitor on the municipality's website.

Worth knowing

Log on to Min Sundhedsplatform and follow your treatment (in Danish)

At www.minsundhedsplatform.dk or the app MinSP you can see upcoming appointments, cancel or change appointments or sign up for antenatal class. In some cases, we also provide online consultations via Min SP. 

There is a questionnaire on Min Sundhedsplatform, which we will ask you to complete immediately.

We will notify your doctor

We will send information about the birth to your general practitioner. Let us know if you do not want your general practitioner to receive information from the hospital.

Tell us about your experience

We would very much like to receive your feedback. If you are considering lodging a complaint, please contact the hospital’s impartial patient advisors. Read more here (in Danish): www.regionh.dk/patientrettigheder

You can read more about pregnancy and delivery on the Danish Health Authority's website, www.sst.dk (in Danish only). Search under ’Graviditet’ and click on ’Graviditet og fødsel’.