" We are Canadian expats currently living in Australia. We are hoping to get pregnant in the next year (with our first) and may have the chance to go to Madrid. Not sure if this would be a good idea or not. Have any expats ever given birth in Spain? What is the care in hospitals like? I have heard that family are expected to do alot of care for the person in hospital. What are the chances of finding an English speaking doctor? Any info or resources would be appreciated! So glad I found this website! Thanks, Andrea "

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" Dear Andrea: First of all my wife has given birth in Spain and except for a few minor problems everything went along quite well. If you are coming to Spain and working for a multinational comany the employer if obligated under Spanish Labor Law to establish the employee (you or your husband) as a beneficiary in the Spanish Social Security system. This means that the employee and all immediate family members will be registered as beneficiaries and receive free medical care and subsidized medicines under the Spanish National Health Scheme. The hospitals in Spain are up to US and Canadian standards and major cities (Madrid, Barcelona, Seville etc) have up to date neonatal centers. According to my wife the pre natal and post natal care given under the Spanish Social medicine scheme is even better than what friends of her had paying big $$$$ in the US. There are two major Spanish private medical insurance companies ASISA and SANITAS (BUPA) who will only cover you for pregancy if you have a contract with them at least for one year prior to getting pregeant. The public hospitals are very clean and staff very nice only at times it is hard to find an english speaking doctor. Most of their staff has received advanced training in US or UK. Sure you have to share a room with another person but it is a great way to make friends. Your Canadian Embassy in Madrid could probably provide you with a list of English speaking physicians. The only problem is that in almost all deliveries an episiatomoy is done (ouch). Husband is allowed in delivering room with no problems. Best of luck Arthur Molina molinaa@arabbank.es "

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" Andrea. I''m living in Barcelona, and have been for a year and a half while my husband attends an international MBA program. We were required to take out private health insurance as we do not qualify for the social security/public health here. While I don''t know what my husband''s part costs, as its included in his tuition, my add-on is about 5000 pesetas a month, or about US$ 40. And all my health care is now completely covered, with a doctor and hospital of my choice within the program, which includes the best in Barcelona. I am currently pregnant with #1. I had to wait 10 months, not a year, and if you''re pregnant before then, you just pay as you go until the 10 months (ie, as long as you don''t arrive pregnant, you can have at least the birth covered!) I don''t know how much anything would cost without insurance, as I never see a bill. I have two other foreign friends here who have had babies and were very pleased with their health care. I don''t believe that episiotomies are standard, it depends on your doctor. Be careful to choose a doctor who will respect your (peculiar and foreign, to them) ideas about birth. I have found out that while my husband will be able to join me in the delivery room (no cozy birthing rooms here, either), my mother won''t be allowed (one person only). You can have your baby room in with you, as well as your husband, which is expected. My friends were in the hospital for about 5 days, unlike in the US and Canada where they kick you out after 1. So its nice to know that you''ll have the support you need if you choose to breastfeed because it takes more than one day for your milk to come in, and to get over all the beginning problems. I could go on and on. If you get this (I see it was posted a long time ago) email me and I''ll tell you more. (mrscampana@hotmail.com) Kim Campana "

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" Hi! I gave birth to my second dd in a small town in Spain. It was a public hospital, but it was a good experience(not the best, but it wasn´t terrible). I had a private gyno(your pre-labor doctor will not deliver you. A hospital doula will help with the birth and labor) who did speak english, so it isn´t hard. Also, he will help alot after you give birth and you need anything in the hospital. Your gyno(if you choose private which I strongly reccomend) will do monthly visits. They use ultra sound on every visit here, which I really liked. The hardest was the obvious language problem. I couldn´t speak spanish well and really had a hard time with the staff. Also, you might have to share a room during labor and most definately after the birth. They do allow the baby with you at all times and do a very good job keeping care of the baby and taking care of all it´s health and medical needs. You will need to bring all of your own care items including diapers, wipes, pads, gowns, baby clothes, etc. Any extras will also have to be supplied by you-ex. drinks, extra food, magazines, you even have to pay for TV use. A normal hospital stay is 3 days-if everything is Ok. All in all, it is a good experience unless you get stuck in some big city, overcrowded hospital where they may not give the same care. Email me with any other questions if you like. Charissa "

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