Don’t be afraid to ask questions!
It is important that you educate yourself about the healthcare system, pregnancy and giving birth in the country. Doctors may not be forthcoming, particularly if there is a language barrier. Self advocacy is important. So don’t be afraid to ask questions about a procedure before it is performed. This will also help you achieve the birth experience you want.
Finding a Doctor
Choose your doctor based on referrals and language requirements, for instance if you are an American giving birth in Germany opting for an English speaking doctor is only natural. If you are in a country where women receive prenatal care from doctors who work in local hospitals and clinics and see patients by appointment, it is unlikely that you will see the same doctor throughout your pregnancy and in the delivery room. This is a far cry from private obstetric practices in other countries.
Picking a hospital
While public hospitals in some countries are inexpensive and efficient they will also be very busy. In this case establishing a rapport with harried nurses and procuring a private room will be difficult. Shop around and visit different hospitals both public and private to see the facilities and check their flexibility in accommodating birth plans. Talk to the staff and see how they answer your questions to estimate their thoroughness and friendliness.
Cultural practices
Accept the fact that something you consider perfectly acceptable in your culture could be appalling in another. Like one American expectant mother was surprised that no one bats an eyelid when an obviously pregnant woman orders potent coffee at a café in Scotland or a pint down the pub.
Working Women and Maternity Benefits
If you are a working woman then some research on maternity benefits would do you good. For instance a mother to a two month old in the US could be thinking about putting her baby in day care and getting back to work while her counterparts in Canada could receive up to fourteen months of paid maternity leave. Discrimination against pregnant women comes in different forms across the world. Some countries like Turkey have very favorable labor, health and safety legislations but this also means pregnant women could prove to be expensive from an employer perspective which is why they are often laid off for different reasons. Read up on benefits like leave entitlement for check ups during pregnancy, duration of maternity leave before and after birth, special rights for breast feeding and so on.
Childbirth Models
Ideally women should have the freedom to choose from the two basic models of managing childbirth, the medical model and the midwifery model. But in some countries home births are not permitted, in which case you have no choice but to navigate the country’s healthcare system.
Postpartum care
Many Gulf countries have better outcomes in terms of maternal and fetal deaths when compared to their Western counterparts. The biggest advantage of delivering in the Gulf and Asia is the availability of postpartum care since it is common to have household help.
Health Insurance
The cost of delivering a baby could be high in most countries. Costs differ in public and private hospitals for vaginal deliveries with a three day stay, with an extra charge for an epidural or a caesarian section with a four day stay and are very high if there are complications in childbirth. Expats with health cards do not have to pay for deliveries at government run facilities in some countries. Did you know that most policies do not automatically cover pregnancies and nursery care for premature infants? If you are thinking of starting a family abroad its best that you take insurance cover before your pregnancy.
Insurance plans usually cover pregnancies only with a 10-12 month moratorium but if you are already pregnant talk to your insurer and see what extra premium is payable.
You can start now by comparing the major providers BUPA healthcare, Clements Worldwide, ExpatPlus and more or request a free quote from an independent broker to help you compare the market and find the best solution.
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