There are a couple of things you need to consider before you get pregnant, namely where you would like to give birth.<\/p>\n For expat women giving birth in Mexico (as opposed to their home country), you\u2019ll need to decide whether to use <\/span>public or private healthcare services<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span>If you wish to use the public healthcare system in Mexico, you must be a citizen or legal resident. Mexico\u2019s social security system is called the <\/span>Instituto Mexicano de Seguro Social<\/span><\/i>, or simply, IMSS. It includes paid maternity leave. If you don\u2019t have access to social security, you\u2019ll have to go to private hospitals<\/span><\/p>\n Choosing between a public or private hospital is one of the most important decisions you’ll have to make.\u00a0<\/span>The level of care will depend on the hospital you visit; those located in large cities are usually more well-equipped. Prepare for long wait times, as with most public healthcare systems.<\/span><\/p>\n Private hospitals in Mexico have highly qualified medical staff who have access to advanced equipment, tools, and medication. You can also expect a high standard of medical attention and a comfortable visit.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n If you decide that a private option works better for you, and you want to avoid paying out of pocket, then you should get <\/span>maternity insurance<\/span><\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n It might come as a surprise to you that you\u2019ll need to secure maternity insurance well before you get pregnant due to \u201cwaiting periods\u201d. You can learn about it in our maternity insurance infographic<\/a> or guide<\/a>. But essentially, that is the time you need to wait after securing insurance before you can make any claims relating to prenatal, delivery, and postnatal treatments. The specifics vary depending on the insurer, with some even having waiting periods of up to 2 years!<\/p>\n There are a lot of options out there during your pregnancy and when you give birth. Doing research beforehand can help you find the best option.<\/p>\n It\u2019s important to find a gynecologist you\u2019re comfortable with, so check out <\/span>English-speaking ones <\/span><\/a>in the country.\u00a0<\/span>Throughout your pregnancy, you\u2019ll need to go in for routine checks and prenatal care. As each pregnancy is unique, your gynecologist will let you know the recommended number of visits. Generally speaking, healthy pregnancies have the following schedule:<\/span><\/p>\n As each pregnancy is unique, your gynecologist will let you know the recommended number of visits. Generally speaking, healthy pregnancies have the following schedule:<\/p>\n In addition to prenatal visits, you might want to sign up for pregnancy and\/or birthing classes. Some hospitals in Mexico may also offer these classes and your doctor will be able to guide you.<\/p>\n For the birth, you have a couple of different options:<\/p>\n If you choose a hospital birth, the amount of time you\u2019ll spend there will depend on if there are any complications. For a standard birth with no complications, you\u2019ll be discharged within 24 hours.<\/p>\n A big part of postnatal care is vaccinations<\/a> for your baby. Although some parents aren\u2019t in favor of them, vaccinations are mandatory<\/strong> in Mexico and all newborns will be issued with a vaccination card.<\/p>\n The most common vaccinations for children under 5 in Mexico are:<\/p>\n Some maternity insurance plans that are more comprehensive will also include newborn care without the need for newborn underwriting. That\u2019s the process that health insurers take to get your baby insured.<\/p>\n The final stage in the process after giving birth is to register with the relevant authorities and settle into your life as an expat mom.<\/p>\n When a baby is born, the hospital fills out a form in Spanish with information about the mother. You\u2019ll have to provide your name as it appears on your birth certificate, rather than your marital name if you are married.<\/p>\n Using this form that the hospital fills out, you\u2019ll have to head to the civil registry<\/a> or registro civil\u00a0<\/em>to register the birth in person. It\u2019s advisable to go as soon as you can after birth. You\u2019ll need to bring two witnesses with you as well. It\u2019s a free service so you\u2019re not required to pay.<\/p>\n These are the full list of documents required:<\/p>\n The officials at the registry office will check the documents and put the baby\u2019s fingerprints on them. They will also issue you with an official birth certificate or acta de nacimiento<\/em>. Remember to ask for multiple copies as you\u2019ll need this for various stages of the baby\u2019s life, such as school enrollment.<\/p>\n It is also advisable to notify the birth of your child at your country\u2019s embassy, so that your child will be recognized as a citizen of the country. Each country will have different sets of procedures regarding the registration of a birth and application for a passport.<\/p>\n You should note that Mexico allows dual citizenship, making your child eligible for Mexican citizenship as well as your country of citizenship. That\u2019s assuming your country also allows for it. When your child turns 18, Mexican law says that they have to choose between one of them.<\/p>\n Now that you\u2019ve become a mom, you can join mom & baby groups. But you should be aware of cultural differences. For example, many Mexicans believe that a new mother should stay home during the postpartum period for at least 40 days. So, they\u2019ll be surprised to see you out with your baby. It\u2019s also common for strangers to be extra friendly with you and your baby.<\/p>\n In addition to this, you\u2019ve got to accept that you now have an expat child! Unlike yourself or your partner, your child may end up spending his\/her formative years outside your home country and might identify as a third-culture kid. You should familiarize yourself with this and help your child connect with their roots.<\/p>\n As we\u2019ve established, securing a robust maternity insurance plan is important if you want to avoid out-of-pocket payments when accessing hospitals in the private sector. It\u2019s one of the least understood insurance plans out there and enlisting the help of a reputable health insurance broker can help.<\/p>\n Pacific Prime Latin America<\/a> is at your service! We strongly urge you to read our maternity insurance guide<\/a>, as it provides the full low-down on the following:<\/p>\n We work with a range of insurers<\/a> in the region to help you find the best deal. If you\u2019d like to learn more about maternity<\/a> and family insurance<\/a> in Mexico, get in touch with our expert advisors for personalized advice. Contact us<\/a> today!<\/p>\n![\"Family](\"https:\/\/www.pacificprime.lat\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/SEO-Banner-General.webp\")
<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n\nBefore Planning the Pregnancy<\/h2>\n
Access to Healthcare Services<\/h3>\n
Public vs Private Hospitals<\/h3>\n
Maternity Insurance<\/h3>\n
During the Pregnancy and Giving Birth<\/h2>\n
Prenatal Care<\/h3>\n
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Types of birth<\/h3>\n
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Postnatal Care and Newborn Insurance<\/h3>\n
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After Giving Birth and Life as an Expat Mom<\/h2>\n
Birth Certificate<\/h3>\n
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Embassy Notification<\/h3>\n
Cultural Differences<\/h3>\n
Looking for Maternity Insurance?<\/h2>\n
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![\"Get](\"https:\/\/www.pacificprime.lat\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/PPMX_gen_CTA.jpg\")
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