Routine prenatal care in Europe: the comparative experience of nine departments of gynaecology and obstetrics in eight different countries.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare routine prenatal care in nine European obstetrics and gynaecology departments. STUDY DESIGN: A survey was performed between October 1992 and November 1993 by means of a questionnaire. The questionnaire comprised 118 questions covering clinical examinations and investigations systematically performed during the pregnancy. RESULTS: The survey revealed a certain number of differences between the types of prenatal care performed by each department. Thus, one notices differences to do the serological testing (toxoplasmosis, AIDS and hepatitis B) at the first visit and in the practice of vaginal examination, systematic ultrasound examination or cardiotocography. CONCLUSION: The differences observed in the prenatal care furnished are only a reflection of our uncertainties concerning the validity of the various tests used to monitor pregnancies. At a time when financial restrictions impose choices, we consider an evaluation of the efficacy and cost of prenatal care to be essential.