Childbirth in Spain

According to the WHO rankings, independent expert councils and the latest study by NEWSWEEK magazine, Spain’s healthcare system is recognized as one of the best and ranks third in the world. People come here for the diagnosis and treatment of severe pathologies, as well as for pregnancy and childbirth.

According to various sources, Spain has the lowest infant mortality rate (0.3% per 1,000 newborns), confirming the high medical care level. In Spanish clinics, all conditions have been created for the safest and most comfortable birth of a baby. Therefore, in recent years, childbirth in Spain has become a popular medical tourism destination for Ukrainians and residents of Central Asia.

The birth of a child in Spain is chosen not only by women from Eastern Europe and Central Asia but also from Western European countries, where medicine is traditionally strong.

The main advantages of giving birth in Spain for foreigners are:

1. Effective childbirth preparation programs.
2. Attentiveness, and sincere friendliness of medical personnel to the needs of the woman in labor.
3. Individual approach.
4. Doctors rarely do a cesarean section – only for medical reasons.
5. Low complication rate.
6. The baby stays constantly with his mother, and there is the opportunity for relatives to visit them freely.
7. Childbirth in Spain is a guaranteed acquisition of citizenship by a child under a simplified scheme after the age of majority.
8. Affordable price for childbirth in Spain.
9. Childbirth in Spain for foreigners can be free with insurance and registration.

An additional plus is the mild Mediterranean climate, which can improve a woman’s well-being in the last months of pregnancy and after the birth of a baby.

Perhaps the only disadvantage of giving birth in Spain for foreigners is the difficulty in communication if the mother and her relatives do not know Spanish. In this case, you need to find an interpreter in advance who will accompany the expectant mother for consultations with the doctor and childbirth.

Many foreign patients come to Spain for childbirth to obtain the child’s citizenship. Local law provides this possibility.

A child who was born here really has the right to citizenship. In Spain, there are 3 options for admission to citizenship:

1. Automatic citizenship if one of the parents has a Spanish passport.
2. If a residence permit or permanent residence legalizes the child’s parents, he can obtain citizenship in 1 year, subject to permanent residence in the country.
3. If both parents are foreigners who do not have the status of a residence permit or permanent residence, the baby can obtain citizenship at 18 years old after a personal application.

At the birth of a child, a certificate is issued to him, which will need to be exchanged for a “Family Book”. This is an analog of the book of registration of acts of civil status. In Spain, this is an individual document of a person, in which information is entered about his birth, marriage and dissolution, the birth of children, and death.

If, in the future the option of obtaining Spanish citizenship by the child is considered, this document must be issued.

Important: It will not be possible for parents to obtain Spanish citizenship at the birth of a child, as local law does not provide for this.

According to the opinions of women who have already become mothers in Spain, the ideal option is to spend the entire pregnancy in the country. Thus, the expectant mother will be able to choose a doctor, get to know him, pass all the prescribed tests, and have an ultrasound scan under his guidance. There will be no need to translate medical documents into Spanish.

Also, pregnancy in Spain can be carried out by a midwife. This is possible if the expectant mother monitors pregnancy in a state clinic. If additional examinations are needed, the midwife issues referrals.

According to patients, they do not prescribe many tests during pregnancy in Spain.

In the absence of complications, a woman visits a doctor or midwife once a month and undergoes an ultrasound scan.

However, there are situations when a woman does not have the opportunity to live permanently in Spain throughout her pregnancy.

For such cases, experts have developed recommendations:

1. Come to Spain for a consultation with a doctor, take tests at 2 and 5 months, fly at 7-8, and stay until the birth.
2. It is to come for 5-6 months, to be examined, and not to leave anymore.
3. Arrive in Spain at 5-6 months for examination, go home and return 2-3 weeks before the birth.

Important: not all airlines take on board women at the 8th month of pregnancy for fear of premature birth. An exception may be written consent from the doctor. Therefore, those who plan to fly in the last weeks should remember this or choose ground transport for travel.

In Spain, as in many European countries, specialized maternity hospitals are not provided. Childbirth takes place in the maternity wards of private and public hospitals.

How is childbirth in Spanish clinics?

The woman is offered to choose the position in which she is comfortable to give birth.

The delivery rooms are equipped with everything necessary for childbirth: beds with an adjustable back, a rope for vertical childbirth, a jacuzzi and fitballs to relieve pain during contractions.

In Spain, epidural anesthesia is widely used during childbirth. The doctor uses a small dose to anesthetize the lower body, which is absolutely safe for the baby and the mother. For cesarean section, epidural anesthesia is also used predominantly; general anesthesia is extremely rare.

During childbirth in Spain, foreigners are allowed the presence of a person close to the woman. Also, for a fee, accommodation is available for an accompanying person with mom and baby.

After birth

After birth, the baby is surrounded by the care and attention of the medical staff. According to reviews of childbirth in Spain, midwives and doctors come on demand. A neonatologist examines a child.

Mom is given advice on breastfeeding, swaddling and navel care. After a natural birth, a mother with a newborn is discharged for 2-3 days, after a cesarean section – a week later.

Spanish doctors agree in one opinion: do not immediately rush to return to your homeland, they recommend staying for a month. During this time, the mother will have access to the help of a pediatrician. The mild Mediterranean climate helps to get stronger. In addition, there will be time to issue documents for the child at the Consulate.

The average price for a natural birth in Spain is $2500-5000, and for a cesarean section, it is $7000-10000. The cost of childbirth in Spain may vary depending on the chosen city and clinic, the use of anesthesia, additional days spent in the hospital, the accommodation of the attendant, as well as the type of room. Translation services are paid separately.

In private hospitals, the cost is higher due to the increased level of comfort. For example, food for a woman in labor is prepared in a restaurant, and the ward resembles a room in a prestigious hotel. Giving birth in Barcelona and Madrid is traditionally more expensive than giving birth in Alicante or Valencia.

Some hospitals offer package deals that include the following services:

• natural childbirth;
• anesthesia;
• examination by a gynecologist and neonatologist;
• nutrition;
• hospital stay 2-3 days.

For the birth of a child in Spain, parents pay 3-4 times less than in hospitals in Switzerland or the United States.

For Ukrainians, free childbirth in Spain is available, subject to legal status. For example, for those who have a residence permit. In this case, the woman in labor will be delivered in a state clinic.

You need to know that everyone who is on a tourist visa in Spain can be provided with free assistance only in emergency cases. Such cases include premature birth in Spain for Ukrainians.

An important nuance that concerns childbirth in Spain for Ukrainians with a residence permit: a child can apply for Spanish citizenship after 1 year.

According to many who have had a chance to give birth in Spain, purchasing health insurance in advance is advisable. This can be done by both residents and non-residents of the country. The medical policy covers all or part of the costs associated with childbirth. To do this, you need to contact one of the private insurance companies.

Important: not all insurances cover pregnancy and childbirth, so you need to take this factor into account.

Some of the health insurances that cover the management of pregnancy and childbirth, as well as emergency medical care:

• International health insurance (International Health Insurance);
• Traveler’s Insurance policy;
• Accident and Sickness Insurance for Overseas Travel.

All medical documents must be translated into Spanish in advance to visit the insurance company.

There are many hospitals available in Spain that are equipped with modern equipment. They will provide high-quality medical care to mothers and babies. Barcelona is the most popular city in Spain where expectant mothers come to give birth.

More than 1,200 births take place in Barcelona hospitals every year. It is important that cesarean section is resorted to in exceptional cases – this is no more than 25%.

Childbirth in Spain: TOP-5 clinics:

1. Teknon Medical Center in Barcelona. This is one of the most prestigious clinics. Here they provide obstetric quality services and thorough care for both newborns and mothers. The pediatric intensive care unit is equipped with modern equipment for neonatal intensive care, including neonatal surgery. The cost is $2500-5100.
2. Sant Joan de Deu Children’s Hospital in Barcelona. The clinic specializes in the treatment of diseases of newborns. The hospital also provides a wide range of maternity services. Giving birth to a child in Spain in this hospital will cost $2900-6100.
3. University Hospital of Navarra in Pamplona. It is included in the TOP 50 best hospitals in the world. The doctors of the hospital provide professional services in the field of obstetrics. The clinic is famous for its IVF department.
4. HM Hospitales clinic in Madrid. It is equipped with advanced medical equipment. According to the clinic, the success rate of the IVF procedure is 90%. The hospital is equipped with high-comfort rooms for the stay of a mother with a newborn.
5. Quiron Salud University Hospital in Madrid. A large private medical center that provides all types of obstetric services at a high level and provides thorough care for the baby and his mother.

The choice of a medical center should be taken carefully: read honest reviews, and pay attention to the availability of accreditation. This guarantees that the treatment in the clinic complies with international protocols and is safe for the patient. More detailed information about all Spanish hospitals can be obtained from Experts Medical coordinators.

To quickly and easily organize a trip to Spain for childbirth, you need to leave a request on the Experts Medical website. The coordinating doctor will contact you and provide free information about the features of pregnancy, childbirth and the conditions of stay in different Spanish clinics, as well as package offers.

Experts Medical coordinators can book tickets, hotel rooms, provide transfer and escort. With the support of Experts Medical, a trip to Spain for childbirth will be as comfortable and safe as possible.