Southsearocks

Hi there,

I'm hoping someone will know what we need to do. I'm currently in the hospital at 28 weeks pregnant. We came over for two weeks to see partner's (British) family living out here. Were due to fly home on 4th Jan. However my waters broke two days ago and I'm going to be here for some time!

We're waiting to hear from the travel insurance people that we're covered - that's currently the major worry despite everything. What happens if they say no?? I don't see how they can as I checked before we left I was covered and have an email to say as long as there were no prior complications (there were not), but you know insurance firms.... Can we get other cover now the situation has started?

The second concern will be getting Jnr home once s/he is well enough. Will insurance sort out passports etc or do we have to do that? Do we have to apply for US and UK together? Should we be contacting the British Consulate? Who do we contact about a US passport?

It's all a bit confusing so any up to date advice gratefully received (there was a similar post but for 2007)

Many thanks

Ozzidoc

You should be fine with your travel insurance, based on what you have written.

Once the time comes, you'll need to do paperwork for the birth certificate and subsequent passport. It's not difficult - we'll give you some help.

Hang in there - baby may well stay inside for several more days or even a week. Unfortunately for babies born so early, they need to stay in the neonatal (new baby) intensive care unit for weeks and months. The aim is to have the kidlet leave near-enough to the due date.

Please keep us posted as to how things are going with you all.

Rete

No advice to give as to your situation but wish you and the babe the best and a safe and healthy delivery for you both.

The only thing I see is that you said insurance would pay if there are no complications. Having your water break at 28 weeks is a complication and means you will most likely not have a normal delivery and the baby will need specialized care being born so early.

You won't be thrown out of the hospital and if your insurance will not pay, you can negotiate with the hospital and doctor's about the bill and payment.

Ozzidoc

Rete - there were no known, pre-exisiting complications according to the OP.

Rete

Gotcha!

Mummy in the foothills

Good luck, try to lie back and relax and cook that little baby for as long as possible. the insurance make things as stress free as possible.

MsElui

i dont know if the medical insurance would cover repatraition? ie travelling with the baby in an air ambulance under the care of a nurse etc. If it was covered it would mean you could all get home earlier and it would be a lot easier for you to deal with - as you would be on familiar turf with your own belongings and any equipment etc - and not clocking up hotel bills etc etc.

Ozzidoc

I agree. This is a valid suggestion however in my experience repatriation would be highly, highly unlikely before the baby was the equivalent of at least 34 weeks' gestation.

I'll pose the question on a medical forum I frequent to get the low-down if I can.

ETA - question posed, I await answers.

BritishGuy36

The immediate possible issue that I see with this scenario is that there is a limit to coverage on travel insurance. Usually it's something like a million quid - but if the baby has to have specialised care and is in hospital for months, the bill could well be that high.

Southsearocks

Hi, thanks for your replies. One of the good things about this is that there is family close by so we can stay with them if not at the hospital. The medical cover as far as I can see is up to £10 million! Hope that's right.

I'd love to be repatriated but as you say it's unlikely given the circumstances but thanks for looking.

I'll keep you posted and thanks againfor your advice - it means a lot

mmhendrie

my 2 cents, I know its difficult, but I'd spend as little amount of time as you can worrying about insurance, citizenship, passports etc. Have your partner or a trusted family member work on the insurance and only involve you only when necessary. The passports and citizenship stuff won't be a major issue, there's nothing to do before the birth, and even after the birth, nothing difficult that can't be worked out within a couple of hours.

There only one thing to focus on right now, and only one thing that's actually really important. Be calm, relax, create as much of a stress free environment as you and your partner can, for both you and your baby. They can work wonders in hospitals now - the very best to you!

-Matt

Madelina

No expertise to add, just a lot of luck, love and good wishes.

Noorah101

I hope all goes well with your delivery.

No one has mentioned it, so I will....if you're here on the VWP and you stay beyond 90 days, you will not be able to use the VWP in the future. Just something to keep in mind.

Rene

Bob

Good luck!

If the baby is born in the US, it'll be a US citizen and would need a US passport, don't think the insurance will be much help on that front, but all the info can be found on the post office site on getting a passport, though numerous threads can be found here on the subject. Will have all the usual stuff to deal with being a USC, having to file taxes with the IRS, if male, signing up with the SS at 18 etc.

Getting a UK passport is a little more costly, but fairly straight forward and there are plenty of threads on BE to run you over what you need to do and also worth getting a consular birth certificate.

AmerLisa

Really? Even in a medical emergency?