Practical Information

Pregnancy, Delivery & Aftercare

Pregnancy is covered by all basic compulsory health insurance policies in Switzerland. The mother can choose to give birth either in a hospital, birthing centre, or at home with the assistance of a midwife. Only two percent of Swiss births occur at home. According to the Federal Office of Public Health’s Health Insurance Benefits Ordinance, the following maternity services are covered:

• The cost of seven routine antenatal examinations carried out by a doctor or a midwife and two ultrasound examinations (one between the 10th and 12th weeks of pregnancy and one between the 20th and 23rd weeks) and blood tests. In high-risk pregnancies, your insurance will cover as many examinations and ultrasound examinations as necessary.



• Your basic insurance pays CHF 100 towards the cost of group antenatal classes held by midwives.



• Your basic insurance pays for the birth of your baby, as long as it is attended by a doctor or a midwife in a public hospital, at home or at a birthing centre.



• Postnatal care by a midwife up to the tenth day after the birth, independent of where the birth took place.



• After the birth, your basic insurance covers one post-natal examination between the 6th and 10th weeks after the baby is born and up to three breast-feeding advice sessions provided by midwives or specially trained hospital staff.

Women generally may choose their place of birth and obstetrician, though if insured by a Health Maintenance Organisation (HMO), the list of approved doctors and hospitals may be somewhat restricted. Check with your health insurance company for specifics.

A list of hospitals with maternity units, birthing centres and midwives can be found at the website of The New Stork Times.