How to choose a gynecologist for pregnancy management. Women's consultation: your rights! Is it possible to choose an antenatal clinic?

In an ideal world, most likely, the entire “gynecological” life of an individual woman would take place within one institution with one doctor who is familiar with the patient’s condition in detail and is able to accompany her both at the stage of pregnancy planning and during the most “interesting situation”, both during childbirth and postpartum care. However, we are still far from an ideal world, so it often happens that general gynecological observation is carried out in one place, then when pregnancy occurs, you have to urgently look for a new refuge, and it’s better not to remember the agony of choosing a maternity hospital.

So, if the pregnancy turns out to be “unplanned” or your current doctor does not have the opportunity to observe you over the next 8-9 months (often clinics do not have a special license for pregnancy management and prenatal preparation), then you will have to decide for yourself who to entrust your care to such a vulnerable period. The medical services market is now very wide, which, on the one hand, opens up excellent opportunities for choice, but, on the other, threatens to bury you under megabytes of information.

First of all, you should decide on the purpose of choosing a clinic or doctor to manage your pregnancy. What is more important to you – personal time or financial investments, a specialized approach or only the necessary documents for going on maternity leave? The faster and more clearly you formulate your expectations, the narrower the range of medical institutions that suit your requirements will be.

Option one: LCD

The simplest thing you can do is to “give up” antenatal clinic at the place of actual residence. Of course, free medicine has flaws. You will not be able to choose your doctor - you will get a local doctor (however, according to the law and after many scandals, you will be able to change him). You will also have to adjust your schedule to the hours you take the LCD, and not vice versa. This can be especially painful in terms of taking tests, which are traditionally taken from 8 to 9.30 in the morning. Get ready for dull queues and stingy answers to your questions. For doctors working in a residential complex, everything that happens to you is a real routine, a conveyor belt, so standard recommendations that are suitable for “everyone”, without any particular reason for it in your particular case, are unfortunately not uncommon.

But also advantages there is a lot to this solution. Firstly, observation in the residential complex and passing basic tests are covered by your own contributions to the compulsory health insurance fund. No one can force you to do paid tests. Secondly, the residential complex is most likely located a short distance from your home. This can be extremely important, especially in the later stages, when it is already difficult to “fit in” to public transport. Thirdly, the standard observation program is not meaningless and generally corresponds to modern trends in obstetrics and gynecology. Of course, it is not yet possible to completely get rid of the legacy of Soviet times, but there is progress in this field. Fourthly, a huge advantage of government agencies is that they issue documents that are 100% satisfactory to both your employer and the maternity hospital.

It is possible, however, that the district antenatal clinic will turn out to be a pleasant place with good equipment, and waiting in line will pay off with the advice of a competent specialist. But all this is more luck than rule.

In general, observation in a residential complex is suitable for you if your motto is saving, in the sense that you are willing to spend more of your personal time for less money. Also, “those in the know” (multiple mothers) often choose a residential complex precisely because of the unpretentiousness of the staff there: they don’t pester you with unnecessary questions – and that’s nice. Girls of a “militant” nature, capable of stirring up doctors mired in routine in order to obtain the necessary information, appointments for necessary or legally required tests and studies, can even get satisfaction from communicating with state medicine.

Option two: clinic at the maternity hospital

In this case you will receive one very important advantage: the opportunity to be observed by a doctor, who will then attend the birth. In 6-8 months, he will study his ward inside and out, and will also concentrate more on what is significant for childbirth than on the standard program. Unfortunately, not all maternity hospitals also have a clinic, so those living next to such institutions can rightfully be considered lucky. The practice of such clinics can be either free or paid (with a contract), but in general the conditions are not much different from ordinary residential complexes: the same queues, the impossibility of choosing an appointment time, a large workload of doctors.

Option three: private clinic

The main thing you should focus on is the cost of the contract, payment terms and list of services provided. Contracts start from 20,000 rubles and reach six figures. Clinics that have received “public recognition”, as a rule, do not have a large number of branches, so before entering into a contract, you should think about how convenient it will be for you to get to your doctor in the third trimester. You also need to understand that the conclusion of an agreement only guarantees the fulfillment of what is stated in this document: in case of extraordinary circumstances, additional cash injections. In addition, not only do you choose the clinic, but in a sense it also chooses you: not everyone chooses to observe complicated pregnancies.

However, for your money you at least get a decent level service, a regular dose of positive attention, good equipment and convenient times for appointments and tests. You can choose “your” doctor and even change him if necessary, and in general there are centers on the market that profess different styles of pregnancy management, so you can choose one that is in tune with your worldview, and not just state standards.

Most paid clinics issue the same documents as residential complexes, but it is better to discuss this issue with the manager before concluding a contract.

Paid centers, as a rule, can offer a wide range of additional services: from courses for expectant mothers to special cosmetic procedures. In order not to get lost in the sea of ​​commercial offers, always use several sources of information: the company’s official website, reviews on the Internet, the opinions of your friends who visited this particular institution. Although everyone knows the largest centers, first-hand experience of communicating with them is much more important.

Private clinics provide good opportunities for those who value their time more than their money, who know exactly what they want from the supervising doctor, and for those who are too afraid of “Soviet” medicine.

The question of which antenatal clinic you belong to usually becomes relevant after the news of pregnancy. Since registration is the best way to keep the health of the expectant mother and her unborn baby under the control of doctors. So, let's talk about how to determine where to go to register.

Where to register

The right of a pregnant woman to register with an antenatal clinic is given by the legislative framework of the Russian Federation. Moreover, any expectant mother has this right, regardless of where she lives or is registered. We also note that by law such services in antenatal clinics are guaranteed free of charge. However, the option of paid care of a pregnant woman in a clinic or center is also not excluded.

How to choose a antenatal clinic

Considering that the expectant mother has the right to independently choose the institution where she wants to be observed, you can consider two main options - an antenatal clinic at the place of residence or at registration. Although there are two more options - a paid clinic or a more conveniently located antenatal clinic (for example, near the place of work, etc.). When choosing paid pregnancy care, make sure that the clinic has the appropriate license. If you want to register with the consultation you have chosen (not at your place of residence or registration), you will need to unsubscribe from the consultation at your place of registration.

When to register at the antenatal clinic

It is equally important to know the timing when you need to contact the antenatal clinic for the first time. The best option for the expectant mother is the period from 7 to 12 weeks of pregnancy. It is possible, of course, later, but in this case the risk is much greater, since it is the early identification of possible dangers or pathologies that makes it possible to correct everything in time.


What is needed to register at the antenatal clinic

In order to calmly register with the antenatal clinic, you need to take your Russian passport and compulsory medical insurance policy (original and a couple of copies) with you to your first visit to the gynecologist. Both documents must be provided. Unlike a paid clinic, where you will not be required to provide an insurance policy.

If you register at your place of registration, you also need to take a citizen registration book - in this case, you will be registered with the institution on a permanent basis. If there is a rental agreement based on actual residence (if there is none, a doctor or nurse will check the fact of residence), and you will be registered temporarily, for the period of pregnancy.


As for the consultation address and contact numbers, such information can be found at the stands of clinics to which antenatal clinics are attached, as well as on the websites of medical institutions or on forums. The same applies to paid clinics.

Every expectant mother should register with an antenatal clinic, but not everyone knows how to do this and where to go. First of all: stop panicking; you hardly realized that you are not in a position to register. Even if you register on the second or third day of the delay, the doctor simply will not be able to confirm the fact of pregnancy, not to mention more in-depth studies of the body. Doctors recommend addressing this issue for a period of 4-5 to 10-12 weeks. At this time, the baby’s heartbeat will already be noticeable on the ultrasound and the doctor will be able to confirm the pregnancy. After the diagnosis is made, you will get a pregnant woman’s card, which is an analogue of honey. cards. It records all the features of the course of pregnancy, your visits and complaints.

When the deadline for registration has arrived, it’s time to think about where you want to be observed.

According to state law, any woman has the right to register with a antenatal clinic, regardless of her registration. In other words, doctors cannot deny you the right to be observed in a specific antenatal clinic on the basis that the registration does not correspond to your place of residence.

A health insurance policy is required for registration, issued by one of the insurance companies in Russia. You will also be asked to present your passport as a citizen of the Russian Federation. But registration, we repeat, does not matter. A woman who is registered, for example, in Perm, has the right to register with the antenatal clinic at her place of residence - in Moscow or any other city. Let us note that antenatal clinics, as medical institutions, can be independent or be part of maternity hospital and clinic complexes.

If during pregnancy a woman needs consultation and examination by a specialist, you will most likely be referred to doctors at the clinic where the antenatal clinic is located (if it is part of a larger medical institution) or to the clinic where you are registered at your place of residence.

Each woman can also choose examinations in private medical complexes. When contacting private companies, you do not have to present an insurance policy, but in public antenatal clinics its presence is mandatory. Returning to the question of private centers, a woman can enter into a contract to monitor her pregnancy for all three, two or only one trimester. Addresses of antenatal clinics should be located on stands in all clinics. A woman can also find out where to go from her gynecologist. And of course, information about antenatal clinics is available on the Internet.

If you are in a big city, where there is plenty to choose from, be sure to read the reviews of mothers who had to be examined at one or another antenatal clinic. And remember, no matter where and how you decide to give birth, constant medical supervision throughout your pregnancy is simply necessary.

Having registered, You will undergo scheduled examinations to ensure that the baby develops correctly and harmoniously. A stay in a day hospital is indicated only for pregnant women with health problems.

Pregnancy is the most wonderful time in a woman’s life. A representative of the fairer sex should treat her body with full responsibility. However, some women, after seeing two lines on the test, are in no hurry to go to the doctor. And this is due, first of all, to the fact that the expectant mother is afraid of going to a bad specialist. After all, he will have to trust not only his life, but also the future of the little man.

It is worth choosing in advance where the pregnancy will be observed. It is not necessary to visit an institution at your place of residence. A woman can be seen by any doctor. It is worth studying the rights of pregnant women in advance at the antenatal clinic so that you can protect yourself in any situation.

How to register during pregnancy?

In accordance with the law of the Russian Federation, every woman who has an insurance policy has the right to travel in any city in the country. Official registration does not matter. Therefore, the expectant mother can independently choose in which medical institution the specialist will observe the pregnancy. How to find out a antenatal clinic near your place of residence? It is worth consulting a therapist at a clinic or checking with the insurance company that issued the policy.


issued at the place of work. Unemployed women need to contact one of the insurance companies at their place of residence. The absence of a policy is not a reason to refuse to register a woman. However, a pregnant woman will have many restrictions. You will have to pay for any medical services.

How can I register with a antenatal clinic without registration? Exactly the same as with registration. Contact a medical institution convenient for you with your passport and compulsory medical insurance policy. They have no right to refuse.

When should you first see a doctor? The faster the better. Many experts recommend registering no earlier than 7 weeks. But first you should find out whether the pregnancy is developing normally and whether there are any pathologies.

If you start seeing a doctor for up to 12 weeks, you can receive a one-time compensation, which will depend on the woman’s average income over the last six months. In addition, timely consultation with a doctor allows you to avoid many problems in the future. If a pregnancy develops incorrectly, it can be terminated in the early stages with minimal losses for the woman.


The fact that a woman is registered for pregnancy is indicated by an exchange card. This is the main document of the expectant mother in labor. It will contain all the information about the tests, the health status of the woman and the unborn baby. How can I find out the antenatal clinic at my place of residence in order to apply for an exchange card? You can check with your local physician for more information.

Registration of an exchange card

This basic document gives a pregnant woman the right to give birth in any maternity hospital. If a woman is admitted to a medical facility with contractions, but there is no exchange card, she will be treated in the infectious disease unit. In this way, it is possible to protect other representatives of the fairer sex, as well as their newborn babies.


To get an exchange card, you need to contact any antenatal clinic and provide it. The specialist will prescribe a series of tests and conduct an examination. Once the picture regarding the woman’s health status is clear, an exchange card will be issued. The document is issued immediately. You must have it with you throughout your pregnancy.

You must carry the card to every doctor's appointment. The schedule for visiting a specialist depends on the course of pregnancy. In most cases, you have to go to the antenatal clinic once a month. But starting from the 28th week of pregnancy, you need to visit a doctor once every two weeks. Before you find out the antenatal clinic at your place of residence, you should decide on the possible schedule for visiting a specialist. This is especially important for working women. Most medical institutions are open from 8:00 to 17:00.

Is it possible to refuse medical care?

Every expectant mother should know her rights. Is it possible to register with any antenatal clinic? Is it possible to refuse medical care? Such questions often arise among pregnant women. You can choose any medical institution without any problems if you have a health insurance policy. But a complete refusal to help will lead to a number of problems. First of all, you will have to forget about state compensation. In addition, the absence of an exchange card will lead to problems during childbirth.


A woman who was not registered as pregnant may arouse increased interest in the child from social services. This should also be kept in mind.

Is it necessary to get tested?

There are a number of mandatory measures without which a woman cannot be registered as pregnant. This includes testing for sexually transmitted diseases and AIDS. Additionally, you should undergo examination by key specialists. This will identify possible chronic diseases. If you have a compulsory health insurance policy, any manipulations in a medical institution are carried out free of charge. A woman has the right to refuse paid tests.

The expectant mother can choose any antenatal clinic. You can check with your neighbors who have already encountered a similar issue to which antenatal clinic your residential address belongs to.

What must a doctor explain to a pregnant woman?

Unfortunately, many expectant mothers have little understanding of issues related to obstetrics and gynecology. The doctor is obliged to tell the woman about the need for an ultrasound and additional medical examination. A pregnant woman should know all the negative and positive aspects of the procedure and make a decision for herself. If necessary, the gynecologist prescribes medication treatment. He must explain the purpose of their introduction. A woman has the right to consult with another specialist. If the doctor refuses to undergo procedures and examinations, she must take a receipt from the woman. The reason for refusing medical procedures must be indicated here.


Before registering, you need to visit a lawyer who can thoroughly explain all the rights and responsibilities of a pregnant woman. Every patient has the right to a friendly and professional attitude from a doctor. By law, a pregnant woman can choose the doctor with whom she will register. How to find out a antenatal clinic near your place of residence? This information can be obtained without any problems from a therapist.

What to do if you had to give birth in another city

Experts do not recommend that women travel in late pregnancy. But situations are different. If you have an exchange card, childbirth is allowed in any medical institution. The same applies to situations when a pregnant woman in a foreign city has health problems. If this is the case in the capital, any antenatal clinic can be visited; you just have to provide information about the treatment. Basic information will be entered into the exchange card.

What does a woman have the right to know?

The expectant mother has every right to get acquainted with the test results, with the doctor’s note in the exchange card, and to ask the specialist questions about the state of her health. The doctor, in turn, is obliged to provide complete information to the expectant mother and give her recommendations. The specialist must remember that any data relating to a pregnant woman is confidential.


Before finding out your residential complex, any representative of the fairer sex should study her rights.

Let's sum it up

The health of not only the expectant mother, but also the baby depends on the choice of the doctor who will manage the pregnancy. Therefore, the choice of a medical institution should be taken with full responsibility, especially if it is an antenatal clinic. You can easily find out which antenatal clinic your residential address belongs to at your local clinic.

A woman must know her rights. This will allow you to protect yourself in an unusual situation. It is worth remembering that policy holders are provided with almost all services in medical institutions free of charge.

Pregnancy is the most beautiful and wonderful state of any representative of the female population. When a girl finds out about the imminent addition, she is overcome by a wave of happiness and a lot of questions arise in her head.

First of all, the expectant mother is concerned about the process of going through an interesting position and giving birth. Most young mothers are in no hurry to get antenatal consultation on the issue of how to register at their place of residence, because they are afraid of going to an incompetent specialist. And due to the lack of up-to-date information on this issue, an unpleasant situation may arise.

The expectant mother is guarding her health and her unborn baby. But the mother’s desire alone is not enough; the participation of a medical institution is necessary. Therefore, after receiving the most pleasant news, you need to contact an antenatal clinic. The question immediately arises: where is it possible to get your advice and find answers to all your questions?

You can find out where you can get antenatal consultations at the clinic reception. Every woman in labor, according to the legislation of the Russian Federation, has the right to register for free maternity registration in the clinic. There is also a paid option for maintaining an interesting position. The girl makes an independent choice of institution according to the following main options:

  1. At the place of registration;
  2. At the place of actual residence;
  3. Paid pre- and postpartum care;
  4. Convenient location of the clinic;

In the case when the choice is made in favor of paid services, it is necessary to thoroughly check the availability of the license of the selected center. If preference is given to the hospital based on actual residence, then you will need to detach yourself from the site based on your registration.

A woman in labor must register from the eighth to the eleventh week. It is at this early period that possible pathologies of the fetus can be identified and a set of necessary measures can be taken in time.

At the first visit to the doctor, the woman in labor presents her passport and compulsory health insurance policy. The doctor, in turn, in addition to the conversation, draws up an exchange card, which is an important document for the woman in labor. All important indicators are entered into the exchange card, as well as the results of tests and other routine examinations. The exchange card gives the expectant mother the right to give birth in any maternity hospital and is issued immediately after filling out, at the first appointment with a specialist.

The woman who is registered makes frequent, scheduled visits to the doctor throughout the nine months. As a rule, doctors conduct appointments in two shifts, so you can choose any convenient visiting time. The doctor must inform the woman in labor about all test results, ultrasound, give competent advice, and girls can ask any disturbing questions.

Of course, frequent visits to the doctor are sometimes depressing, but you must always remember that all this is done solely for the benefit of mother and child. Under the compulsory health insurance policy, almost all services in the clinic are provided free of charge. In a paid clinic, you only need to present your passport.

Legal points

According to the law on protecting the health of citizens of the Russian Federation, every female half of humanity has the right:

  • choose your own doctor;
  • change doctor at any stage;
  • receive complete, up-to-date information about the process of pregnancy and the development of the baby;
  • ask the doctor any questions of interest and ask again if any terms spoken in professional language are not clear;
  • if medications are prescribed, know their effects and possible side effects;
  • on confidentiality of information.

During the initial visit, the doctor collects complete information about past illnesses, operations, and the presence of allergic reactions. Interested in the number of possible abortions. Every little detail is very important to provide quality monitoring. Therefore, there is no need to make any secrets from the transmitted information. All necessary indicators of the woman in labor are measured and an initial gynecological examination is carried out.

Important documents

The birth certificate belongs to the category of serious and basic documents. Based on it, the Social Insurance Fund of the Russian Federation pays for services provided to expectant mothers. This document is prescribed by a doctor and issued at the time a sick leave is issued. A certificate is issued approximately from the thirtieth week. The certificate is issued to girls who have been observed without interruption for at least twelve weeks.


In accordance with Article 255 of the Labor Code of the Russian Federation, the expectant mother, upon their application and on the basis of a doctor’s conclusion, is entitled to maternity leave. This leave lasts seventy calendar days before childbirth and the same number of days after childbirth, with the only exceptions being multiple pregnancies and any complications during childbirth. Benefits are paid in the amount established by Russian legislation.

When a girl voluntarily refuses to take out this type of leave and continues to work for a short period of time before the onset of childbirth, the certificate of incapacity for work confirms temporary exemption from work for the pre- and postpartum period.

Refusal to register

If you receive a refusal to register on a general basis, you must make a complaint in writing and send it to the chief physician for investigation. If the expected result is not obtained, then the complaint is already registered and sent to the Ministry of Health. The most important thing is not to panic, but to tune in to a positive wave and think only about the future baby. And temporary difficulties that arise will certainly be resolved.

Final points

The choice of a specialist who will manage the pregnancy must be taken very seriously. Because the successful course of pregnancy and the birth of a healthy baby depend on this choice. Every pregnant woman should know about her rights and options.

Any woman expecting a child should definitely consult a doctor. The doctor must monitor not only how the fetus develops, but also the health of the mother herself. It is useful to attend such consultations before and after the birth of the child.

But how to choose the most suitable medical institution for this is a rather complex question and deserves increased attention. After all, health is not something to joke about.

What will help you make your choice?

Another way is advice from relatives, friends and work colleagues. Such information will be more reliable than reviews on the Internet, because relatives and friends will not give bad advice.

You can also visit several antenatal clinics. Talk to the staff, patients and inspect the premises, and then make a choice.

How to choose a suitable antenatal clinic?

When choosing a medical facility, its location is very important. It is desirable that it be as close to home as possible. As pregnancy progresses, visits to the doctor will become more frequent.

Arriving at the chosen antenatal clinic, you need to carefully examine it from the inside. A plus will be the presence of a large number of waiting seats, a good attitude of staff towards patients, as well as pleasant colors in the interior of the premises.

It should be clarified whether this building has laboratory rooms necessary for collecting the necessary tests. This is a big advantage, since you do not have to go to other medical institutions for this.

The presence of specialized specialists is only welcome, for example, such as a neurologist, ophthalmologist, therapist or ultrasound diagnostician.

The absence of negative reviews about the staff is also an important factor when choosing a antenatal clinic. Of course, all patients cannot be satisfied with the service, and there will always be a couple of negative opinions. But, if there is much more negative information, then it is better to look for another place to visit a doctor.

Find out if you can change antenatal clinics, choose and register at any one. Here you can read expert advice and learn all the intricacies.

Answer:

The question of choosing a clinic and attending physician arises for any woman preparing to become a mother. Registration at the antenatal clinic is required before 12 weeks. As a rule, the choice should fall on those clinics that are located at the place of registration, but what to do if a pregnant woman is not registered at her place of residence and she wants to register with a specific attending physician? Is it possible to change antenatal clinics if the previous place is not satisfactory for some reason?

If the expectant mother is not satisfied with her attending physician, or she has to move to another city, then she can change the antenatal clinic to any other one, since this does not contradict Russian law. Currently, there are many antenatal clinics that operate in maternity hospitals and clinics.

The advantages of registering with a residential complex include free service, issuance of the necessary certificates, but subject to continuous monitoring for 12 weeks. This may include sick leave, maternity leave, birth certificate, and so on. However, such medical institutions do not have modern equipment and the ability to choose their own doctor. Therefore, you can always find a better and more convenient option for yourself.

Is it possible to choose any antenatal clinic and register there?

When choosing an antenatal clinic, the expectant mother should know her rights and responsibilities in order to be able to be safely observed and receive qualified medical care. Is it possible to choose an antenatal clinic if desired? Of course, every pregnant woman has the right to this, but for up to 12 weeks. You should start looking for your attending gynecologist from the very beginning, who will monitor its development throughout your pregnancy.

It is important to understand that any residential complex is required to issue an exchange card and a birth certificate. No one can forcefully prescribe any procedures either. Many intimidated and inexperienced young mothers often wonder: can I register with any antenatal clinic if I have been so insulted or given poor medical care. You can and even writing a complaint against the head physician is also not prohibited. If desired, you can issue a power of attorney to jointly visit all doctors and procedures with any of the desired relatives. It is very important to find a good doctor who will be interested in his patient giving birth to a healthy and strong child on her own, and not unsubscribing and speaking in cliched phrases, without letting the expectant mother understand anything.

Many women are familiar with such a medical institution as an antenatal clinic. This is where millions of girls and women of any age go with their problems, concerns and experiences. The Moscow antenatal clinic is a place where hope, faith in the best, and, of course, a health center originate. The huge number of consultations in the capital can cause anxiety in the patient - who can she trust with her problems? You can, of course, ask your friends. But there is a more modern way - contact "ProDoctors", where thousands of women leave their flattering and not very positive reviews about this or that medical institution.

Choosing a antenatal clinic in Moscow is a difficult task. Many girls and women want to find one closer to home, so that the doctors are qualified and the quality of services is at a high level. After all, there can be a lot of reasons for contacting a gynecologist:

  • diseases;
  • congenital pathologies;
  • menstrual irregularities;
  • hormonal disruptions in the body;
  • pregnancy;
  • birth of a baby;
  • abortions, surgeries, etc.

Not every antenatal clinic in Moscow has an excellent reputation. Using our “popular” rating, you can form your own opinion about the clinic you are interested in and the doctors working in it. Now there is no need to conduct an oral survey of neighbors, girlfriends or acquaintances about where they provide high-quality advice and effectively treat any women’s ailments.

Choosing a antenatal clinic in Moscow

At the beginning of this century, 14 independent consultations for women operated in the Russian capital, 10 in gynecological hospitals and maternity hospitals, 95 as part of medical units, clinics and hospitals.

History of antenatal clinics in Moscow

Medical institutions whose purpose is to provide obstetric and gynecological outpatient care to women when they are pregnant, or have just given birth, or have any gynecological diseases. The very first consultation for women was created by obstetrician A. N. Rakhmanov in Moscow at the maternity hospital named after A. A. Abrikosova. This maternity hospital was built in 1906 at the expense of the philanthropist Abrikosova. Nowadays it bears number 6 and is located on the second Miusskaya street. By 1923, 21 antenatal clinics were already functioning in Moscow. Since 1925, social and legal (formerly legal) offices began to be created in antenatal clinics.