Register for the Maternal and Child Health Handbook at a community health center before 13 weeks of pregnancy to claim free prenatal checkups

2. Register for the Maternal and Child Health Handbook at a community health center before 13 weeks of pregnancy to claim free prenatal checkups

Cost: No cost at all — this is part of the national basic public health service program. You’ll need to make several visits based on your gestational age.

In plain terms: You are entitled to at least five free prenatal checkups during pregnancy, plus home visits after delivery and a 42-day postpartum checkup, all paid for by the state. To access these services, you must register for the Maternal and Child Health Handbook at a community health center before 13 weeks of gestation. Failing to do so means you lose out on all these free services.

Benefit: The third edition of the National Basic Public Health Service Standards outlines specific maternal health management services available to all permanent residents who are pregnant. These include one health checkup in early pregnancy, two in mid-pregnancy, two in late pregnancy, one postpartum home visit, and one 42-day postpartum checkup. Registration for the handbook must be completed before 13 weeks of pregnancy, at which point your first prenatal checkup will also be scheduled. The two mid-pregnancy checkups occur between 16–20 weeks and 21–24 weeks respectively, while the two late-pregnancy checkups are scheduled for 28–36 weeks and 37–40 weeks. Local service lists also include a full set of initial lab tests and postpartum depression screening as part of these free services.

Evidence grade: A

Notes: These five free checkups represent the minimum number of services provided; they do not cover all possible prenatal tests. Depending on your individual health needs, your doctor may recommend additional ultrasounds, blood glucose tests, or fetal heart rate monitoring, all of which will incur extra costs. Registering for the handbook as early as possible also allows for earlier assessment of your pregnancy risk level. This risk grading system categorizes pregnant women based on their individual risk factors, ensuring those identified as high-risk receive timely care at specialized medical facilities. Even if you live in a different district than your registered household location, you can still register at your current place of residence — there is no requirement to return to your place of household registration.

Sources: National Health and Family Planning Commission (2017). National Basic Public Health Service Standards (Third Edition). <https://www.nhc.gov.cn/ewebeditor/uploadfile/2017/04/20170417104506514.pdf>; Jingjiang Municipal People's Government. National Basic Public Health Service Project - Maternal Health Management Service (Local service list is public). <https://www.jingjiang.gov.cn/xxgk/zdlyxxgk/wsjk/art/2023/art_383017a2e7794892bc772bfbe042f379.html>