🩺 Women’s Health in France: The Vocabulary No One Teaches You (But You Really Need)

You can ask for a baguette.
But when it comes to talking about your body, your intimate health, your pregnancy, or your birth control… things get a little stressful? 😬

You’re not alone.

One of my students recently asked for a special session on this topic — and honestly, it turned into one of the most helpful and empowering lessons we’ve had.

So I’m sharing it with you too:
Essential vocabulary, useful phrases, and natural English translations to help you feel confident and understood.

👩‍⚕️ Key healthcare professionals

• Une gynécologue / un gynécologue → a gynecologist

• Une sage-femme → a midwife

• Une obstétricienne / un obstetricien → an obstetrician

• Un médecin généraliste → a general practitioner / a GP

• Une infirmière → a nurse

• Un pédiatre → a pediatrician (for babies)

• Un anesthésiste → an anesthetist

🏥 Useful places and terms

• Une consultation → a consultation / doctor’s visit

• Un cabinet médical → a doctor’s office / medical practice

• La maternité → the maternity ward

• Les urgences → emergency room (ER)

• Le planning familial → family planning clinic

• La sécurité sociale / carte Vitale → French health insurance / health card

✨ Key expressions to know

• Faire un suivi médical → to have medical follow-up

• Faire un examen médical → to have a medical check-up

• Consulter un spécialiste → to see a specialist

• Faire une échographie → to get an ultrasound

• Accoucher / L’accouchement → to give birth / childbirth

• Avoir des contractions → to have contractions

• Avoir mal pendant les règles → to have period cramps

💡 Good to know

• You can see a midwife in France without a prescription.

• Many exams are covered by French health insurance.

• French doctors can be a little… fast — but you can slow them down and ask questions. You absolutely should!

• Medical French is often ignored in language classes. Not here.

Download the vocabulary PDF here (or ask for it during your session)

If you’d like your own personalized session to talk about your health, pregnancy, appointments, or just feel more confident talking about your body — let’s do it.

🎯 Book your free session here. 

Because being independent in France
also means being able to talk about your body, your health, and your needs — in French, with the right words.

With you,
Faustine
Founder of Women Speak French