Baby on board

You're pregnant! But what to expect when abroad (apart from a baby)

Drawing: by my son

The prospect of being far away from what you know when you are pregnant is quite daunting. But follow the "definite dos" below and you'll be rocking your pregnancy.

Okay, so you've moved to another country and you're expecting! That's big news. It may be your first pregnancy, it may be your third, whichever pregnancy it is, it's a huge deal, especially when you have landed in a strange place. Everything works differently in another country, and then there could be a language barrier.

Once the initial 'amazing!' and 'yikes!' moments have past you can start to plan. The reality is much more straightforward than you may think. 

I had moved to the south of France about nine months (ironically) prior to falling pregnant. I had quite nicely settled into my freelance work, had gotten active to meet people and started to learn the language and then I was pregnant. It was huge in every way. I had no idea where to start. I just knew that the pregnancy path would be different to the UK (where I had lived for many years) and to the Netherlands (where I grew up). 

When I found out I was pregnant I let the news sink in for a couple of weeks before I made an appointment with my GP. My husband (who is French) came along for any awkward "je ne comprends pas" moments. The meeting was great and she gave me the names of the other medical people to contact. Plus she started me off on the (long winded) admin trail. In the end my pregnancy was very smooth and I gave birth in a hospital almost around the corner. My baby boy was born and he is now four years old :)

So, onto some definite dos when you're pregnant abroad:

• Make your first appointment with your GP who will give you lots of information. Ask questions even if you don't master the language that well. Some keywords are enough, but you can also ask your partner, a friend or a colleague to come with you
• Find out about the next steps in the process
• At each new appointment confirm the next move 
• Try to stick to one area for the appointments so you can get there easily
• Do some online research on what pregnancy care is like in your home country and then do the same search in the country you live in, so you know what to look out for. There will be English advice forums, country-specific information sites, plus expat groups that you can join
• Enquire about maternity leave if you are working for a company abroad and the pay you'll have so you can plan childcare for when you need it. If you are self employed check out the maternity benefits for entrepreneurs. You should be able to get information through your freelance advice body or social security organisation
• In different countries maternity leave (and the pay that goes with it) varies hugely from just a few months to a year or more. So also check-out the parental leave options (this can be both paid and unpaid depending on the country and the number of children you already have). The following link has information about maternity and paternity leave in a number of different countries
• When you are pregnant enquire about the childcare process and options available. A good starting point will be to contact a local nursery as they will be able to advise you on the steps to register for when the time comes. It took me two months from the initial inquiry to setting a start date for a part-time spot (my son started at the crèche from ten months old). For a full-time space it usually takes longer though
• Plan a trip away after your 12-week scan. You may want to go somewhere to relax or go back home before the new arrival. It's easy to travel when you are pregnant and all will still be calm...! If you already have an older child then going on a trip will be exciting and will feel very special for them. Just let your partner carry the luggage!
• You can fly until surprisingly late if you have a straightforward pregnancy. In general until 36 weeks (if you are expecting one baby)
• From 28 weeks airlines could request a medical certificate, so you will need a note from your GP. Each airline will have their pregnancy policy online, so have a search before you travel
• Get support from mum friends, or kick-start your mother and baby network through: 
• joining an expat group - find them via Facebook and/or international meet-up groups
• a feel-good activity:
• prenatal yoga - a great way to meet other mums-to-be (you just follow what the other girls are doing so you don't need to understand everything). Yoga is a great choice - in terms of activity and mindfulness it is exactly what you need when pregnant
• water aerobics - perfect to alleviate pregnancy aches and pains and funnily enough your belly will feel weightless
• antenatal classes. These are very likely to be offered where you live. They may be run separate, or as part of your general pregnancy trajectory, so the classes could be initiated by your midwife. They will be fun and useful with a number of practical sessions
• Make a list of the type of birthing experience you want. A comparable alternative should be available. Even for example, if midwife-led birthing is hard to find they may have home delivery options, or a more natural birthing unit in a hospital
• Enquire about any post-birth care, some countries are quite big on this with excellent facilities
• Take each stage as it comes. Don't worry about where to give birth when you are only two or three months along
• A pregnancy is a long time so allow yourself some. It won't make a difference to the birth of your baby if you have one appointment more or less, or if you are still figuring out the childcare

Enjoy being pregnant, it's a special time and in many countries, such as France, pregnant women are treated like royalty.

I would love to hear about what it is like to be pregnant in different parts of the world, so tell me about your experience!