The "Průkazka" Explained: What to Expect in Your First Trimester in CZ

Swiss Medical Services
3 days ago
3 min read

You just saw two pink lines on the test. After the initial wave of joy (and perhaps a little panic), the reality of your situation sets in: How exactly does having a baby work in the Czech Republic?

If you are an expat from the US, the UK, or elsewhere, the Czech prenatal care system might surprise you—usually in a very good way. The care here is highly medicalized, thorough, and involves a lot of monitoring.

At the center of it all is a little paper booklet that will become your most prized possession for the next nine months: the Těhotenská průkazka.

Here is everything you need to know about navigating your first trimester and getting your official Czech "pregnancy passport."

1. What is the "Průkazka"?

The Těhotenská průkazka translates directly to "pregnancy pass" or booklet. It is a physical, multi-page document that your gynecologist will issue to you.

Think of it as your baby’s offline medical record. Every time you visit the doctor, they will record your weight, blood pressure, urine test results, and ultrasound measurements directly into this booklet.

Pro Tip: Once you receive it, you must carry it with you everywhere. If you ever need to visit a hospital or an emergency room, the doctors will ask for your průkazka immediately to understand your medical history and the health of your pregnancy.

2. When Do You Actually Get It?

Many newly pregnant expats book an appointment at 5 weeks, expecting to walk out with their official booklet.

In the Czech system, doctors usually wait to issue the průkazka until the pregnancy is clinically confirmed and considered stable.

Weeks 6 to 8: Your first visit usually involves a vaginal ultrasound to confirm the pregnancy is in the uterus and to detect a heartbeat.
Weeks 9 to 12: Once a strong heartbeat is established and you are nearing the end of the first trimester, your doctor will officially issue your průkazka and fill out the first pages.

3. The "Czech Difference": Frequent Ultrasounds

If you have friends back in the UK or the US who are also pregnant, you might notice a stark difference in your care. In many Western countries, routine pregnancies only receive two ultrasounds (one at 12 weeks, one at 20 weeks).

In the Czech Republic, prenatal care is far more intensive. Your gynecologist will perform a quick ultrasound at almost every monthly check-up to check the baby's growth, heartbeat, and position. For anxious first-time mothers, this frequent visual reassurance is one of the best parts of giving birth in Prague.

4. What Else Happens in the First Trimester?

Alongside your initial ultrasounds, your first trimester involves establishing a baseline for your health:

The "Big" Blood Panel: Around week 10 to 12, your doctor will order comprehensive blood work. This checks your blood type, Rh factor, iron levels, thyroid function, and screens for infectious diseases like HIV, Syphilis, and Hepatitis B.
First Trimester Screening (Prvotrimestrální screening): Between weeks 11 and 14, you will undergo a specialized, detailed ultrasound and blood test to assess the risk of chromosomal abnormalities (like Down Syndrome). Many expats at our clinic also opt to add an NIPT (Non-Invasive Prenatal Test), an advanced blood test that offers 99% accuracy and can tell you the gender of the baby as early as 10 weeks.

Your English-Speaking Pregnancy Partners

Navigating a pregnancy is overwhelming enough without a language barrier. When your doctor hands you a průkazka filled entirely with Czech medical abbreviations, it is easy to feel lost.

At Swiss Medical Services, our expert Gynecology and Obstetrics team ensures you understand every measurement, every test result, and every milestone. We take the time to explain your průkazka to you in English, combining the thoroughness of the Czech medical system with the empathetic, communicative care you expect from home.

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