Our second daughter was just born this week and while I was talking to my parents about how nice it was in France I heard them telling me how it was in the US. Quite a bit different.
Having a baby in France is a very enjoyable process. First, with the socialized medicine, you can pick any doctor you want. If you pick a hospital you won’t pay anything, and if you pick one of the best doctors in one of the best private clinics in Paris, you may end up paying $500 or so but that’s it. If you have a cesarean it’s reimbursed 100%. The hospital stay is a mandatory 5 days, you can’t get out of there quicker unless you sneak out the window. If you have a cesarean it’s 7 days.
Next is the maternity leave, three and a half months plus an almost sure extra two weeks for special circumstances that is so common women count it on from the moment they find out they’re pregnant. And what about paternity? 3 days paid leave from the employer and then 9 days paid at a reduced salary from the government. I heard some men don’t take these 9 days because you don’t get your full salary but everyone I know takes them. And then of course for mom & dad there are the 7 weeks a year of vacation that were probably saved up.
Finally, getting an appointment at the pediatrician is very easy. You can even get them the same day if it’s serious. Waiting times are usually 30 minutes or less, depending on the popularity of the doctor.
All this makes for a really pleasant experience. But what about the things that are better in the US? In France there is usually not any air-conditioning (this month it was very cold so this wasn’t a problem for us). You must bring your own towels and medicines. In Paris especially there is no parking. That was kind of weird driving my wife to the maternity when she started having contractions. I had been stressing out about the parking issue for a few months. I didn’t want to drop her off by herself because I was afraid that by the time I’d get parked and back to the maternity I’d miss everything! We got lucky in that there was a spot just outside. It was a spot for “deliveries” but it’s august when the entire country is on vacation including the parking police so we took advantage. As my wife said, “I’m making a delivery!”.
Having a baby in France sounds like an alternative place to consider when one’s wife is close to her 9th month of pregnancy.
congrats on your new bundle. i’m doing some online research for friends leaving the U.S. for Europe (country TBD) and stumbled upon your lovely blog. this post reminded me that my friends have found what i think is a new service – tokbox.com – to keep in touch with their family while oversees. i believe it’s free, video chat, so they can keep connected face to face. anyway, good luck, and thank you for the enjoyable diary.
hi,
i had a question, my wife will deliver in lille, im american and she is french, therefore she is covered by social security. the gyno was very good and we liked him,but recently we saw the clinique she is supposed to deliver at, and it looks really old, and not upto date. Ive been to hospitals in singapore, thailand, and the states, all of which have have been cutting edge technology, more like 5 star hotels than places of medicine.
After visiting the maternity, i feel really unsafe due to the lack of comfort, (common showers in the rooms, very old medical equipment, and zero resources incase of comlications) as well as the aloof manner which the french doctors nurses, and receptionists behave. THey do not seem to like to answer any questions. Customer service and information has been zero!
The clinic we have is a level 1, so no intensive care, cardiac, or neo natal, we tried to sign up for a level 3 hopsital in lille but they refused her saying she needs to be in an emergency to be admitted there.
Paying is no problem for me, but seeing the establishment in such poor condition has made me very nervous, and being the 8th month of the pregnancy we cant even fly her out to the states or sinapore for the delivery now.
Does anyone know how i can find a modern clinic in france?? I cant imagine that people who could afford a better clinic are relegated to these decripit clinics. Ive been searching the web, and there is absolutly no material about the clinics, they only mention level and that its good, it never has pictures or introducations,and services that the clinics provide.
Hope to hear from someone sooN!
thanks
I’m not familiar with Lille but I can ask a coworker from Lille next week at work.
We used a private clinic, it was regarded as one of the best in Paris. It’s called Maternité Sainte-Félicité. My wife says you have to register a long time in advance. That is probably the case with most of the top clinics.
I’ve been in 2 public hospitals in France (in, I mean admitted) and I can say it’s not pretty. It’s nothing like in the US. One of the is a total dump and I decided to never go back there. The other is “ok” for France but not up to US standards. So I know what you mean. Don’t worry, it’s not just you.
Those with the money and/or good insurance (la mutuelle) go to private clinics for this reason. In the public clinics often the babies are delivered by a midwife and not even a doctor.
My wife says to visit this site and to put your department number and you can find a list of clinics with ratings. Don’t waste time because it may be difficult with 1 months notice.
If I can provide further assistance just let me know.
Hi there … just read your great article about having a baby in France. I had my daughter in Spain and found as you did many advantages and good things about the health care too, although a couple of frustrating things as well. One of the things I found difficult was a lack of the more modern pregnancy and baby products, so after a while myself and another mums started a company selling British, International and Organic products for pregnancy and baby in Spain. We have now expanded our delivery and can easily and saftely deliver to other European countries including France. If anyone out there is pregnant or has a baby and is looking for stuff then do have a look at our site! http://www.indybel.com
Good luck with your life in France, it certainly sounds lovely. My husband is French so we might well end up there one day too!!