Antenatal Health Card (Helsekort for gravide)

What is an antenatal health card?

The antenatal health card is a medical record on paper and a link between you, the doctor, the midwife and the hospital. The card ensures that everyone receives the same information about you and your child’s health, as well as any special needs you may have. You decide what information you wish to provide.

During your pregnancy, you must take your card with you to all consultations and examinations with your GP, midwife, hospital and other healthcare services you come into contact with. You must also take your card to the maternity ward when you go there.

Tell your doctor/midwife if you have lost your health card. If you forget to take it to a check-up, it is important that you make a note of any entries and information on the card later.

Mandatory information in the health card

The information given in the health card will be important for your pregnancy and birth. Information on the following must be filled in:

Mother and father/co-mother

• Address
• Marital status
• Education
• Profession
• Place of work
• Country background
• Language
• Name and phone number of your GP and midwife

If you are not married to the child's biological father, you should check the box to indicate whether a paternity declaration (in Norwegian) has been completed during the pregnancy.

History

• all previous pregnancies
• births
• spontaneous abortions
• Past or present illnesses which could affect you and/or your child.

You may also be asked about the birth of your mother and/or sister, because there may be genetic links.

Conditions requiring extra support, such as

• diabetes
• epilepsy
• metabolic diseases

Conditions which the healthcare service wishes to assess, including

• cardiovascular diseases
• kidney disorders
• asthma and allergies
• gynecological disorders
• congenital hip defects
• blood clotting (thrombosis)
• high blood pressure (hypertension)
• mental illness

Medicines

Information about whether you

• are taking any over-the-counter or prescription medication
• have drug allergies

Your lifestyle

Information about your lifestyle

• diet and dietary supplements
• physical activity
• employment situation
• use of tobacco, alcohol and other drugs

You will be asked about the number of cigarettes you smoke per day to determine the level of risk that this poses to you and your child.

Due date

• Estimated due date (corrected following determination of the due date through an ultrasound examination)

Routine examinations and any needs regarding other tests

Various routine examinations and tests will be carried out during your pregnancy.

Measurements of the mother

• symphysis-fundus measurement (measurement of the uterus, done on the outside of the abdomen)
• blood type
• blood pressure
• height
• weight and BMI

Measurements of the fetus

Fetal diagnostics, including the fetus’s

• heartbeat (fetal sound)
• movements
• how the fetus is lying/presented

Consultations

All examinations that you have during your pregnancy will be recorded, so that the midwife and other medical professionals know what kinds of treatment you have received. A note will also be made as to whether you have been given guidance concerning breastfeeding and attended a course aimed at preparing you for childbirth/parenting.

Birth location and health centre

Your midwife and GP will help you choose where to give birth and enter your birth location onto the health card. If you need the companion service, this should be noted. The health centre, where you will receive follow-ups after you have had your baby, will also be noted.

Antenatal checks and tests

All pregnant women are entitled to antenatal care. The service is free and intended to ensure that you receive the best possible care and guidance during and after your pregnancy.

Illustration: Lev Dolgachov / Mostphotos

Need more follow-ups?

If you need extra follow-ups, it is very important that your midwife or doctor receives information about this.

This may be information about social circumstances, such as that you or the father/co-mother

• are unemployed
• need financial support
• have language difficulties

or physical/mental circumstances, such as

• disease, health problems
• disability
• experience of violence and/or past abuse
• traumatic experiences from the health service, previous pregnancies or childbirth

What do the abbreviations mean?

​The list below explains the meanings of some of the terms on your antenatal health card, but you do not need to know or understand these terms. Ask your midwife or doctor if you are unsure of anything.