The Greek clinic will support you right up to your first ultrasound scan. After that, everything takes place in your home country, and this is a transition that few patients are prepared for.
A pregnancy achieved through IVF abroad is treated in exactly the same way as any other pregnancy from a French healthcare perspective. There is no specific procedure to follow, no special declaration required, and you have exactly the same rights as a woman who has conceived naturally. The only difference is the logistics of the first few weeks.
The hCG test is carried out in a French laboratory, on prescription from the Greek clinic or your doctor. A follow-up test 48 hours later checks that the level is rising. The first ultrasound scan takes place around seven weeks after the first missed period: it confirms the intra-uterine location, the number of embryos and foetal heart activity. It can be carried out by your gynaecologist or at an imaging clinic; send the report to the Greek clinic, which remains your point of contact until then.
Important point: do not stop the hormone treatment. Progesterone, and oestradiol if you are on hormone replacement therapy, should be continued until the tenth or twelfth week. A French doctor who is not aware of this may be surprised by these doses: show them the Greek prescription. The article on progesterone sets out the durations in detail.
Ask the clinic, either before you leave or by email afterwards, for a file containing: the cycle report, including the type of treatment, the date of the transfer and the number of embryos transferred; the prescription for hormone treatment, including the dates to stop taking the medication; serology results and blood group; and a note regarding any use of donated gametes. This last point warrants an explanation.
From a medical point of view, yes, and it is important. A pregnancy resulting from egg donation carries a higher risk of pre-eclampsia, regardless of age: this information affects how the pregnancy is monitored, often leading to a prescription for low-dose aspirin from the first trimester onwards and more frequent blood pressure checks. An obstetrician who is unaware of this cannot adapt their monitoring accordingly.
From a personal perspective, this information is covered by medical confidentiality and is only shared with the healthcare professionals looking after you. You do not need to tell anyone in your social circle, nor the maternity unit staff other than the medical team. If you are worried about being judged, bear in mind that French hospital teams regularly treat pregnancies resulting from treatment abroad: it is neither rare nor a cause for comment.
Your pregnancy must be registered before the end of the fourteenth week, either by your doctor or midwife, directly online with the health insurance scheme and the family allowance fund. This entitles you to 100 per cent cover from the sixth month onwards and sets out the schedule for the seven compulsory antenatal appointments and three ultrasound scans. None of these procedures depend on where the pregnancy began.
Registration at a maternity unit takes place early on in large cities, sometimes as soon as the pregnancy is confirmed. If you are expecting twins, you should contact a level 2 or 3 maternity unit straight away. The article on the ‘single transfer’ explains why this is important.
Most gynaecologists have no difficulty in managing a pregnancy achieved abroad. If you sense any reluctance or judgement, find someone else: you shouldn’t have to spend nine months justifying yourself. A private midwife can handle most of the care for an uncomplicated pregnancy, often with greater availability, and shared care with an obstetrician remains an option.
Its role generally ends after the first ultrasound scan. Keep in touch with them nonetheless: in the event of bleeding or any concerns during the first few weeks, they know your exact treatment plan and can respond quickly. It is also the clinic that holds your frozen embryos, if any remain, and you will need to contact them again regarding storage or if you’re planning a second child. The topic of embryo storage is covered here.
No. It follows the standard French protocol, with the same entitlements and the same timetable. Only the transition during the first few weeks requires a bit of organisation.
Yes, from a medical perspective: the risk of pre-eclampsia is higher and often warrants low-dose aspirin and closer monitoring of blood pressure. This information remains covered by medical confidentiality.
Before the end of the fourteenth week, either through your doctor or midwife, or online via the French health insurance system and the CAF. The place of conception is irrelevant.
Yes, until the tenth or twelfth week, depending on the treatment protocol. Never stop the treatment on your own initiative, and show your Greek prescription to your French doctor.
Source: https://fertilitegrece.com/en/blog/pregnancy-follow-up-back-home/ — Triada Baloukoudis, IVF patient coordination in Greece. General information, not medical or legal advice. Printed on
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