After months of talking about it, we are finally moving to Spain (Murcia). Our house has been sold so we should be there in the next couple of months. I am expecting a baby in February. Does anyone know how easy it will be to find an English speaking midwife. How does giving birth in Spain compare to the UK. If anyone could give me some advice, it would be very much appreciated
Thanks
Kathy

If you are comforable with your doctor in the Uk why not go back for the birth at least you will be in an environment with family and friends on hand for support rather be around a foreign language and environement which may add you further stress depending on the type of person you are. Just a thought to play with.

Thanks for your reply. I would only really want to come back to the Uk as a last resort. I already have 3 children (ages 11,9 and 17 months) so the whole family would have to come back as I would want my husband at the birth. Babies can be very unpredictable in deciding which date to arrive so it would mean that we would probably end up spending a month back here which means taking the elder children out of school.
Kathy

Thats fair enough, wasn't sure if it was your first or not.
There is a chat group for midwives in spain, [email protected] they may be able to point you in the right direction and offer you some advice. I

Be aware that if you have the baby in Spain it will be a British citizen by descent (assuming one of its parents is a British citizen *born or naturalised* in the UK).

This means that its children, if also born outside the UK, may not automatically be British unless they're able to acquire British citizenship from the other parent.

In some circumstances, you may even have to apply for this child to be registered as British (unusual, but possible in some specific cases).

An idea of the rules for non-UK born children is here:
http://www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/ind...tizenship.html

You'll need to check with the Spanish authorities whether the child will be eligible for citizenship there, but as far as I'm aware being born in Spain *in itself* is not enough for Spanish citizenship.

Jeremy

Thanks for that link Jeremy, it was very useful. We are thinking however that we may well come back to the Uk for a month now and have the baby here after all. Thanks to everyone that replied.
Kathy

Do check with the airlines what restrictions they have on pregnant women travelling - many won't accept those over 6 months pregnant.

Jeremy

:scared: Anyone else in my situation may be interested to know of an article in "Spain" magazine (Oct 2004). I have just read it and have decided that I am definately coming back to the UK to have my baby.
According to the article, whilst healthcare in Spain is excellent, maternity care is similar to that of the UK 40 years ago. Apparently all women are given epidurals and an enema. They are shaved and their legs put into stirrups. Episiotomies are routine and many hospitals do not offer gas and air, water births or choice of positions. Also, according to the article, going private could be just as bad as many women are induced at 38 weeks on a Friday night so the delivery can be at a weekend to fit in with the gynaecologists timetable! Apparently there is also a high rate of caesarian births.
Kathy