Overseas Birth

Here, I will be explaining about what to expect when you are planning to have your baby in a foreign country.

So, you think you are pregnant?

So your period is late. You think you maybe pregnant. What do you do? Well, letq・ find out.

If the country you reside sells pregnancy detection kits, then find out through it first. If you cannot hold reach of it, then find out who will do the pregnancy test for you. The primary care physician? Obstetrician? Health Nurse? or even at the pharmacy.

Where do you go? First find out the medical system of the country you are staying.

Know the medical system

Whenever you plan to use the medical services of the country you are staying, it is important to find out the medical system of the country.

For example, there are countries such as Japan and also in Germany, where you can visit the obstetricians directly without any referrals. In some countries such as in England, in normal pregnancy, you never see the doctor but only the midwife who will look after you throughout the pregnancy, birth and afterbirth. In some countries such as in Canada, the home doctor looks after you through pregnancy and afterbirth, but not the delivery itself.

So each country has a different medical system and you need to find this out first.

Prenatal care

Prenatal check ups usually consists of once a month for the first 6~7 months, then twice a month for the 8th months, and weekly in your 9th months. In some countries they have frequent ultra sound to check the growth of your baby, and in other countries they may have none.

Diet

It may be difficult in some countries to obtain the kind of food you are used to eating. Ask if there are any substitutes that you can get locally cheaper and more convenient. Some countries may suggest food that the locals had taken for many years and you may want to try it, but never push yourself.

---