Mother Child pass

In Austria, mother-child pass refers to a preventive health measure that accompanies an expectant mother and her child up to the age of around 5 years. It is free of charge and not compulsory, but a necessary requirement for further social benefits.

The mother-child pass

The mother-child pass gets the expectant mother from the finding of a pregnancy by the responsible gynecologist , the doctor or from pregnancy consultation offices .

This booklet documents the results of preventive examinations both during pregnancy and in the child's first years of life. A vaccination certificate and information for expectant mothers are also enclosed .

Health care

The examinations provided for in the mother-child pass program are used for the early detection and timely treatment of pregnancy complications and for monitoring the child's level of development. In addition, the information contained in the passport can facilitate rapid and adequate medical care in emergencies.

The mother-child pass or the examinations provided therein are not required by law, but complete proof of all examinations is a prerequisite for the granting of full childcare allowance from the 21st month of life. All examinations are free of charge, even if there is no health insurance for mother or child.

history

Since the introduction of the mother-child pass in 1974 under Health Minister Ingrid Leodolter , the examination program has been expanded and changed several times. While the focus at the beginning was on reducing infant mortality, the early detection of undesirable developments in infancy and childhood is now a focus.

Compliance with the planned examinations was initially a prerequisite for payment of the birth allowance . After its abolition, the number of mother-child pass examinations decreased significantly, so that in 1997 a mother-child pass bonus of 2000 schillings was introduced. Since 2002, the rule has been that if the first ten examinations are not complied with, the childcare allowance is reduced by half from the 20th month.

Investigations

Until the birth of the child all relevant data such as the health of the mother. B. blood group , iron and sugar content in the blood, test results for hereditary and infectious diseases ( HIV , rubella , toxoplasmosis , syphilis ) etc., on the condition of the child such. B. location, weight, size, etc., and the expected date of birth entered. Both ultrasound examinations are, like all examinations, voluntary. All ultrasound examinations are not relevant for receiving the child care allowance (see p. 5 in the mother-child pass).

The following examinations are planned during pregnancy (as of January 2010):

Ultrasound examination in the 8th – 12th Week of pregnancy (SSW)
Gynecological examination up to the end of the 16th week of pregnancy including a laboratory examination and an HIV test
gynecological examination in the 17th – 20th SSW (including internal examination)
Ultrasound examination in the 18th – 22nd SSW
gynecological examination in the 25th – 28th SSW (including laboratory tests and oral glucose tolerance test )
gynecological examination in the 30. – 34. SSW (including ultrasound )
gynecological examination in the 35th – 38th SSW

In addition, there is the option of voluntary midwifery advice in the 18th to 22nd week of pregnancy; this is not a requirement for receiving full childcare allowance.

The following examinations are planned for children:

Examination of the child in the 1st week of life (including hip ultrasound)
Examination of the child in the 4th – 7th Week of life (including orthopedic examination)
Examination of the child in the 3rd – 5th Month of life
Examination of the child in the 7th – 9th Month of life (including ENT examination)
Examination of the child in the 10th to 14th Month of life (including eye examination)
Examination of the child in the 22nd – 26th Month of life (including eye examination by a specialist)
Examination of the child in the 34th – 38th Month of life
Examination of the child in the 46th – 50th Month of life
Examination of the child in the 58th – 62nd Month of life