Having a baby in Spain?

[Luvvin-tarifa]

Hi there, thanks for all the info, I shall pass it all on to her.
With regards Portugal the babies father has to go on the birth certificate and his passport produced, if this is not done a parentage investigation is started to determine the childs father! Which obviously she can't do! as she has no idea who the father is!
But anyhow, thanks so much for the info I will try and find out how much it is likely to cost to have her baby over there, and see what she thinks!
She has no problems with child care as she works from home so long as she has an internet connection she can earn a decent living and he slightly cheaper and warmer living in Spain will obviously help her considerably!
Thanks again for all the info!

[DWPinSpain]

Couple of things about this...

She should also be aware she could be entitled to Maternity Allowance from the UK if she's been self-employed for 26 out of the last 66 weeks before the baby is born. That's if she doesn't do any work in Spain.

If she does start working here, even if it is via Internet, she should register with the Tesoreria General de la Seguridad Social as self-employed and start to pay contributions (minimum around €244 a month). If she does this then she can apply for Maternity Benefit through the Spanish social security but she will need to get form E104 from the HMRC after she stops work in the UK. She can download the application form here:

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/forms/2005/ca3916.pdf

She will be covered for healthcare wherever she is getting the benefit from. Until the healthcare is arranged she can use her European Health Insurance Card.

As regards the childbirth, she will have to have what is available on the Spanish NHS unless she wishes to go private.

Originally Posted by Luvvin-tarifa

Hi there, thanks for all the info, I shall pass it all on to her.
With regards Portugal the babies father has to go on the birth certificate and his passport produced, if this is not done a parentage investigation is started to determine the childs father! Which obviously she can't do! as she has no idea who the father is!
But anyhow, thanks so much for the info I will try and find out how much it is likely to cost to have her baby over there, and see what she thinks!
She has no problems with child care as she works from home so long as she has an internet connection she can earn a decent living and he slightly cheaper and warmer living in Spain will obviously help her considerably!
Thanks again for all the info!

[Caz.I]

Originally Posted by Luvvin-tarifa

Hi, Yes she already has passports for them so that is not a problem, and she knew she would have to register the baby over there and get a passport from the British Consulate, I think her worry is that she does not know who the father is as the baby was conceived via a clinic so she was not told the fathers details, so she is wondering if this will be a problem, she was originally moving to portugal with me but then found that donor babies is a definite no no over there!

She had a home birth with her last baby and really wants to have this one at home, but so far I can only find inconclusive evidence that this is or is not possible, most sites just mention hospital births which from reading other womens experiences is rather frightening! being leaned on to push the baby out forcefully is not my cup of tea and will make her freak!

She will need to get social secirity numbers for her and the children and residency I am told to live there and rent a place/open a bank account? so this is why she is worried regarding lack of father around to give his permission.

She spoke to the court and passport office who said that as there is no residency order in place in the UK she can move the children without his permission but it is what happens in Spain that she is worrying about!

Such a big decision for her and she really wants a better life for her kids, it seems a shame that it might not be possible!

Hi there,
I am a single mother in Spain living here nearly 6 years. I dont have any experience of home births but imagine they are pretty rare here, and may be complicated in this country if she does opt for them. I know a lot of women who have given birth here and the majority of their experiences range from not great to very good. Dont know any who have been leaned on! My only complaint about my son's birth was the time spent waiting for him to come out! Generally speaking, I believe this aspect of the health service is pretty good. Yes, there are scare stories wherever you go, but most here are fairly positive.

To be honest, I also think, like Jo, that dealing with all that stress when 28 weeks pregnant is going to be very tough, particularly when she has the added complications of 2 other children, moving to new home, country and sorting out some serious paperwork. Getting things done here, does not happen quickly and entails a lot of time (often wasted), effort and stress. Registering with the health service or clinic, organising a home birth, registering the birth, getting social security numbers, empadronamiento - town hall register, NIE, residency 2 months before giving birth is major stuff. Maybe better to come out earlier rather than later. Plus, does she have any kind of support network here?, because she will need one. I am lucky to have some support from family and friends, though am very self-reliant. All the same can be tough especially in the first few years. But that said, when I was pregnant and my nesting instinct kicked in, all I could think about was finding a good nest!
When she registers the birth with the hospital document (at the juzgado de paz) she should get the certificate and what is called a family book (libro de familia), I understand that since about 2005 unmarried mothers are no longer obliged to name the father on either. If she can (am not sure about this) try to add the other 2 childrens names to this book as this will give her status of large family (familia numerosa) which could be helpful in the future, for things like entry to state schools, financial help if necessary. Secondly, when I got residency for my son I did not have to consult the father, (he is here anyway though) even though his name is on the certificate and family book. And I only needed to show the family book.
Anyway good luck to her!
Caz.

[Luvvin-tarifa]

Thanks all, messages have been printed out and forwarded to Liz. She said to say thank you for all your help!
She is going to try and get out earlier!

Thanks again for all the help...
Mandie