Going Back to the UK to Have a Baby?
Jan 8th 2019, 12:37 am
#31
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Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 66
Re: Going Back to the UK to Have a Baby?
The point of this whole endeavour is to go back to the UK to spend time with family, and have a lower cost birth. If citizenship becomes an issue then it simply is not an option. Again, I was looking for folks who may have done this before, but seem to be out of luck here
Jan 8th 2019, 12:40 am
#32
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Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 66
Re: Going Back to the UK to Have a Baby?
Pulaski, Welcome back, good to see you back, direct and helpful advice.
Back to this topic, some hopefully useful information for the OP - Be very very careful about showing you are really a resident, and not just because family have a residence in the UK (I share because would like to help anyone avoid large unplanned costs that impacted others I know, and it cost them thousands for a very similar situation)
Entitlement to NHS Hospital Treatment for Non-Resident UK Citizens
British expats from outside Europe must pay for NHS hospital care
Expats Have To Pay For NHS Care
Back to this topic, some hopefully useful information for the OP - Be very very careful about showing you are really a resident, and not just because family have a residence in the UK (I share because would like to help anyone avoid large unplanned costs that impacted others I know, and it cost them thousands for a very similar situation)
Entitlement to NHS Hospital Treatment for Non-Resident UK Citizens
British expats from outside Europe must pay for NHS hospital care
Expats Have To Pay For NHS Care
Jan 8th 2019, 12:44 am
#33
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Location: Phoenix, Arizona
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Re: Going Back to the UK to Have a Baby?
Rene
Jan 8th 2019, 12:50 am
#34
Joined: Feb 2012
Location: Not in Paris
Posts: 18,193
Re: Going Back to the UK to Have a Baby?
To summarise: your wife can fly back to the UK to give birth if she so desires but she would not be entitled to free NHS healthcare nor would the child be a US citizen at birth. In short, not a goer.
Jan 8th 2019, 12:54 am
#35
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Joined: Mar 2015
Location: NC, USA (ex Yorkshire)
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Re: Going Back to the UK to Have a Baby?
Time to start planning for the USA birth. Good luck and hope it all goes to plan.
Jan 8th 2019, 1:05 am
#36
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Location: Nuevo Mexico
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Re: Going Back to the UK to Have a Baby?
At risk of sending this thread completely off the rails, also consider that claiming residency in the UK may be considered at odds with you having a green card should those streams ever cross.
Jan 8th 2019, 3:01 am
#37
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Posts: 2
Re: Going Back to the UK to Have a Baby?
OP says he has a residence, which is different from being resident.
But as the legalities come from very different directions there must be some overlap.
But as the legalities come from very different directions there must be some overlap.
Jan 8th 2019, 3:28 am
#38
Austin. TX.
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 5,930
Re: Going Back to the UK to Have a Baby?
The point of this whole endeavour is to go back to the UK to spend time with family, and have a lower cost birth. If citizenship becomes an issue then it simply is not an option. Again, I was looking for folks who may have done this before, but seem to be out of luck here
Jan 8th 2019, 11:34 am
#39
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Location: Athens GA
Posts: 2,134
Re: Going Back to the UK to Have a Baby?
A couple of things to clarify:
1. Our family have residence in the UK as well. We 100% can access healthcare there. Also, it was not a question I had even asked here.
2. The reason for doing it is for lower cost healthcare and to spend time with family.
3. It is one of the many options that our family is exploring.
I really do remember this board as being much more open in the past! Thanks anyway.
1. Our family have residence in the UK as well. We 100% can access healthcare there. Also, it was not a question I had even asked here.
2. The reason for doing it is for lower cost healthcare and to spend time with family.
3. It is one of the many options that our family is exploring.
I really do remember this board as being much more open in the past! Thanks anyway.
Jan 8th 2019, 12:07 pm
#40
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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 0
Re: Going Back to the UK to Have a Baby?
Another pitfall : After the baby is born there are complications to baby and/or mother. Can you spend an undetermined time away from the US? Will this cause problems with your job? With your Green card.
Also if you do go ahead how old will baby be when you do fly back. Whatever citizenship the baby will need a passport to travel. Looking on it from a health point of view, do you really want a tiny baby exposed to all the people and the germs that run riot on planes and in airports. Not to mention your wife who may end up with a c- section. Is it fair to her having to travel after surgery?
I think you are thinking this whole thing from your own view of normal UK visiting and not including the "extras" that are the most important parts of this trip! Don't do it!
Also if you do go ahead how old will baby be when you do fly back. Whatever citizenship the baby will need a passport to travel. Looking on it from a health point of view, do you really want a tiny baby exposed to all the people and the germs that run riot on planes and in airports. Not to mention your wife who may end up with a c- section. Is it fair to her having to travel after surgery?
I think you are thinking this whole thing from your own view of normal UK visiting and not including the "extras" that are the most important parts of this trip! Don't do it!
Jan 8th 2019, 12:53 pm
#41
Often not so civil...
Joined: Apr 2010
Location: The Boonies, GA
Posts: 9,561
Re: Going Back to the UK to Have a Baby?
Arriving late to the party here, but this is in inanely dumb thing to do.
I'm guessing you are uninsured or under insured in the US, this is the only reason this even withstands a passing thought as an idea - and even then it's a terrible one.
Neither the US nor the UK are Burger King, you can't 'Have It Your Way'
I'm guessing you are uninsured or under insured in the US, this is the only reason this even withstands a passing thought as an idea - and even then it's a terrible one.
Neither the US nor the UK are Burger King, you can't 'Have It Your Way'
In just a few hours, this thread has had 36 replies and 370 views and yet no-one has even contemplated, let alone done what you are suggesting. Does that tell you anything at all?
Jan 8th 2019, 4:42 pm
#42
Forum Regular
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 143
Re: Going Back to the UK to Have a Baby?
My guess is the OP has probably logged off by now, 'disappointed' in the contributions of the BE forum.
However, for my two pence worth - if this is your first child you have an understandable naivety about what could go wrong with a birth. My wife and I were utterly cavalier about our first birth - it went wrong and mentally scarred us, fortunately, everyone lived to tell the tale.
Second birth was premature by 7 weeks and required significant care thereafter for weeks. Both times no sign of anything abnormal during pregnancy.
Do not underestimate the risks of childbirth!!
If it's due to a lack in insurance you have my sympathy. If it's because you're trying to save some $ then please have a re-think.
I guarantee when you go to the UK maternity unit for the first time you will be asked for your midwife notes - my wife had difficulty being seen in a different healthcare trust in the UK, from the one we lived in when she had a pregnancy complication while enjoying a weekend in Kent - we lived in Norwich at the time. You will be asked some awkward questions which will almost certainly require untrue answers.
Good luck on whichever avenue you choose.
However, for my two pence worth - if this is your first child you have an understandable naivety about what could go wrong with a birth. My wife and I were utterly cavalier about our first birth - it went wrong and mentally scarred us, fortunately, everyone lived to tell the tale.
Second birth was premature by 7 weeks and required significant care thereafter for weeks. Both times no sign of anything abnormal during pregnancy.
Do not underestimate the risks of childbirth!!
If it's due to a lack in insurance you have my sympathy. If it's because you're trying to save some $ then please have a re-think.
I guarantee when you go to the UK maternity unit for the first time you will be asked for your midwife notes - my wife had difficulty being seen in a different healthcare trust in the UK, from the one we lived in when she had a pregnancy complication while enjoying a weekend in Kent - we lived in Norwich at the time. You will be asked some awkward questions which will almost certainly require untrue answers.
Good luck on whichever avenue you choose.
Jan 8th 2019, 7:22 pm
#43
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Re: Going Back to the UK to Have a Baby?
OP, you did not say if your wife has lived in the UK and obtained an NHS number in the past. Without one she will be required to complete a form which includes providing proof that is entitled to live in the UK plus proof that she is legally resident such as utility bills in her name at her address in the UK.
We have had 2 children and despite normal prenatal health my wife ended up with an emergency c-section in both cases. Sh1t happens.
We have had 2 children and despite normal prenatal health my wife ended up with an emergency c-section in both cases. Sh1t happens.
Jan 8th 2019, 8:18 pm
#45
Joined: Apr 2005
Location: Milwaukie, Oregon
Posts: 9,965
Re: Going Back to the UK to Have a Baby?
It tells me that if there are people that fit the criteria they have enough sense not to stick their head above the parapet and admit it.