Life in Switzerland is especially rewarding for your and your family, with high standards of living and excellent childcare. Prospective mothers are given great security and receive high-quality care and education to prepare them for motherhood.
If you are planning on starting a family or already have a baby on the way, it is important to know what you are covered for and what is available to you. This page looks at pregnancy and prenatal care in Switzerland.
Pregnancy tests in Switzerland
If you think you might be pregnant, you can purchase a pregnancy test in Switzerland from most supermarkets or pharmacies for a few francs. These kinds of tests have a high accuracy rate and should be taken as a reliable indicator of whether or not you are pregnant. Your doctor or gynaecologist can then also request a blood test to confirm your pregnancy.
What part of pregnancy is covered by Swiss health insurance?
The majority of care costs for having a baby in Switzerland are covered by basic health insurance. Unlike other health matters, pre- and postnatal care are covered with no insurance deductible after 12 weeks of pregnancy. The level of insurance that you have chosen only affects your choice of doctor and you still have a lot of choice with even a basic package of healthcare.
Choosing where to give birth in Switzerland
In Switzerland, expectant mothers can choose where they wish to give birth. Health insurance of any kind allows you to choose freely between giving birth at a hospital, at home or in a birthing centre. If you choose to give birth at home or in a birthing centre, you will most likely be attended to by a midwife during your pregnancy. If you choose to give birth in a hospital, you will visit an obstetrician in their clinic. Generally, the choice is yours, and you can even opt for a combination of the two types of care.
A growing number of people in Switzerland are also choosing to engage the services of a doula (or non-medical birth companion). A doula can provide emotional support during the pregnancy, labour and postnatal period and communicate your wishes to medical professionals.
The extent to which you can choose your own midwife or gynaecologist is dependent on your type of insurance coverage. If you have basic health insurance, you can express a preference, but it will depend on the availability of your chosen doctor, midwife or physician. Your regular doctor can also directly refer you in order to secure your choice of physician. If you have supplemental health insurance, you can choose all healthcare professionals freely.
Prenatal care in Switzerland
If you think you are pregnant, it is necessary to book to see a registered gynaecologist as soon as possible. Depending on your type of health insurance, this may mean calling a helpline or seeing your general practitioner first.
Your health insurance will cover you for as many consultations as the medical staff deem necessary for your pregnancy. At your initial consultation, you will discuss:
- Expected due date of the baby
- Any previous pregnancies including any previous complications
- Medical history of you and your partner
- Changes to your work-life balance and requests for maternity leave
- Your nutrition, exercise, smoking and alcohol habits
As part of your first consultation, you will go through the relevant examinations to confirm that you are pregnant and to determine any outstanding information that would be beneficial to the gynaecologist.
Prenatal checkups
Your prenatal checkups will then be carried out by an obstetrician or a midwife, depending on what you choose. You will have your first prenatal checkup in the second to third month of your pregnancy, with additional appointments every four to six weeks after that.
Note that not all healthcare professionals can be relied upon to speak English, so you may want to bring someone along to your appointments who can help translate.
Ultrasounds during pregnancy
Your health insurance also covers the full cost of at least two ultrasound scans during your pregnancy. This is in order to check the health of the baby and determine the best type of care possible, such as modifications to your birth plan.
The first ultrasound will take place around the 10th week of your pregnancy, with a second usually scheduled for the 20th week. This second scan can also reveal the sex of the baby, if you would like to know.
You may receive additional ultrasounds if your doctor or gynaecologist deems them necessary, at no additional cost. You can request ultrasound scans if you wish, but you may have to pay for them if your doctor does not think they are essential.
Congenital screenings and further consultations
If your ultrasound or screening warrants further analysis, your doctor will refer you to a specialist. It is during these screenings that any complications can be detected as well as any other conditions the baby may have. These are done at no extra cost and always put the wellbeing of the mother and child first.
Vaccinations during pregnancy
It is generally recommended that pregnant people receive two vaccines: seasonal influenza and the DPT vaccine. You should speak to your doctor or midwife about receiving these vaccines.
Swiss childbirth preparation courses
In addition to medical procedures, many health insurance providers in Switzerland offer childbirth preparation courses as part of their coverage for expectant mothers. These sessions revolve around education and will teach new mothers and fathers about all aspects of parenthood.
These courses prepare you for giving birth with advice and education and are highly recommended, especially for mothers giving birth for the first time. They can also assist in creating your own birth plan for when you go into labour.
Many hospitals and other organisations in Switzerland offer these classes, and some classes are available in English. While most courses cost money to attend, your health insurance may cover part or even all of the cost.
The following organisations offer antenatal classes in Switzerland:
Giving birth and postnatal care
Ahead of your due date, it is important to consider what your plans will be for giving birth. This can include choosing where to give birth, the method you choose to give birth, and any postnatal care that you would like.
If you think you are going into labour, it’s time to follow your birth plan. Contact the hospital, midwife or other location where you have chosen to give birth. Follow the instructions they give and arrange transport. In certain cases, you may need to contact the emergency services to ensure a speedy transfer. From there, you will be afforded the highest standard of care available and will be offered medical assistance, as shown in our guide to giving birth in Switzerland.
Maternity leave and allowance
In Switzerland, maternity leave begins with the birth of the child. Once your child is born, you have a minimum of 14 weeks of paid leave to care for your newborn. To claim your maternity leave and allowance, you must declare your pregnancy to your employer. During this time, you are entitled to 80 percent of your regular salary.
Some international companies offer extended maternity leave in their work contracts. As of 2021, fathers can also receive paternity leave while still receiving salary.
Registering the birth in Switzerland
Once your child is born, it is important to make sure that they are registered with the Swiss authorities. Registering a birth in Switzerland will allow your child to be covered by social security and may allow them to qualify for Swiss citizenship. It is also important, as many of the mandatory social programmes in Switzerland require a birth certificate.
Swiss family allowance
Once you have given birth and have registered your child, you can apply for the family allowance. This is a monthly payment meant to support the development of your child. The scheme is open to all parents and can bring significant financial benefits.
Sorting childcare
It might seem like being overprepared, but childcare in Switzerland is oversubscribed and places can be hard to come by, especially if you live in one of the bigger Swiss cities or have specific needs, for instance wanting your child to attend a bilingual facility. It's therefore best to start exploring childcare options well in advance, perhaps even before your baby is born.