Pregnancy & Births
The decision to have a child provokes monumentally joyous upheaval.
Often we don't realise how extensive the change will be, until our own bundle of joy is already crawling around in a newly child proofed home. The arrival of an infant generally produces an almost overnight lifestyle change. Somewhere between infant and toddler, you may find that even your own outlook is re-focusing. You become more aware of your neighbourhood, noise pollution, and all of a sudden find yourself looking for playparks and nurseries.
birth registration
Registration of a birth must be made within eight days at the local civil registry (registro civil) and may be done by the hospital or clinic where the child was born, or by the midwife when a birth takes place at home.
Parents are ultimately responsible to ensure that this is taken care of. There are two forms of birth certificate; a short certificate (extracto de inscripción de nacimiento or certificado simple,) and a full certificate (certificado literal de nacimiento.)
Foreigners should get the full one, which costs only a little more (both are inexpensive) and also register your child at your home country's consulate or embassy in Spain (to obtain a birth certificate and passport for a child).
but first things first:
Once your family doctor, GP or gynaecologist has confirmed the results of your pregnancy test, you will be given a series of scheduled visits for blood and urine tests. During these regular visits you will have ultrasounds and at midterm they will offer to tell you the sex of your baby.
As the due date approaches, check-ups will become more frequent, together with appointments for fetal heart rate monitoring.
Being pregnant in a foreign country can make you feel uncertain. Having to communicate with doctors through translators can be stressful.
A good book to have in your possession is "What to Expect When You are Expecting." It gives a month by month outline of the developments both physical and emotional.
Many people choose to have their child in a private hospital, some of which have bilingual midwife services available.
The Hospital Costa del Sol is a popular place to give birth; in fact, that is where Melanie Griffith delivered her last child with Antonio Banderas. Located along the coastal road it is easily accessible and you won't get lost or stuck in traffic.
The Spanish National Health plan is quite good, the hospitals are fully equipped, however alternative birthing notions are virtually unheard of here.
Know before you go, as they say. Familiarise yourself with the maternity ward and ask your questions: e.g.
Can my partner be present?
Are children permitted to visit me in the maternity ward?
What is the hospital policy regarding flowers?
What procedures are optional?
If you would like to have a private delivery in Marbella or Málaga, contact Dr Berral's clinic, where his English speaking staff will be able to answer all your questions.
maternity services
Dr Berral is a British Trained Consultant Gynaecologist and Obstetrician. At his clinic, conveniently located in Marbella centre, you will receive expert advice on all aspects of pregnancy and maternity care: which scans and tests you need, when, what for, etc. The clinic is equipped with a 3d-4d ultrasound scanner, which allows you the incredible experience of seeing three-dimensional pictures of your baby and witnessing movements in real time. You may choose to come to us for complete antenatal care (including parent preparation classes) in the comfort of our premises or combine some of our care with that of other provider.
Avda. Ricardo Soriano 50, 3A, Edif. Terra, Marbella
Tel: 952 864 088 / 690 222 414
midwife services
disfruta de tu embarazo
Inma Romero runs courses in the Centro Vidasana in San Pedro on C/ Fuente Nueva 16. She is a doula, a delivery partner / companion that gives emotional support prior to and during and after delivery. She speaks Spanish and can work with an interpreter. She also provides children's massage.
Tel: 952 788 356 / 649 424 602
marion the midwife
The Medical Centre
Urb. Nueva Alcántra, San Pedro de Alcántra
Tel: 647 379 808
www.costaldelsolmidwife.com
arancha fajordo and pepe martin
arancha fajordo and pepe martin are midwives and work at the Hospital Costa del Sol. Trained in England, both she and her husband are bilingual midwives that individually accept private clients.
Tel: 654 531 692
abortion
Abortion is legal in Spain and available during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. In cases of medical emergency, abortions are permitted up to 22 weeks.
contact: Ginecenter in Málaga
Tel: 952 304 716
www.ginecenter.com