Childbirth in America: cost, pros and cons

In August 2012, my husband and I flew to Miami to give birth to a child, live here for several months and go back to Russia.

Maria Vladimirova

went to give birth in Miami

We went to give birth in the USA so that the child would receive American citizenship. In the United States, citizenship is given by birthright; the origin of the parents does not matter. The main thing is that the child is born in the country.

I’ll tell you about my experience of organizing childbirth in the USA.

Russian Americans Vladimirovs

We received a visa when I was seven months pregnant. This was my first time applying for an American visa; my husband had already been rejected once before. We were afraid that the pregnant couple would not be given a visa.

At the interview, I covered my stomach with wide clothes and a folder with documents. The interview is conducted at the counter through the window. The counter is high, and the visa officer cannot see you below your chest. They didn’t ask anything about pregnancy in the visa application form, nor did they ask at the interview.

Our visa was approved the first time.

After landing, customs control was waiting for us. We were scared again: what if they were deployed? Then we only found out that in the worst case, we would have been detained at customs for a couple of hours. Some of our friends were detained and interrogated, but all were released.

From April to November it is hot in Miami, from August to October it is unbearably hot: +35 °C during the day and +30 °C at night, humid as in a bathhouse. If you leave a plastic bottle in the car in the sun, it will melt. If you can't stand the heat, it's better to go to another city.

View from our window

You won’t be able to fly in, give birth, and immediately fly back: you’ll have to live in Miami for several months. This time is needed for preparation for childbirth, recovery and bureaucratic procedures. Prepare to spend up to six months in the USA.

There are many Russians living in Miami. Most of them are in the areas of Sunny Isles, Hallandale, and Aventura. Rent housing in these areas if you want to be closer to your compatriots and Russian-speaking infrastructure. There you can go to Russian shops, beauty salons, work with Russian-speaking realtors, nannies and doctors.

For a two-room apartment in Miami they ask from $1,500 to $3,000 per month. The closer to the ocean, the more expensive. In some cases, the building administration does not allow a pregnant couple to rent a two-room apartment: there are almost three of you - the child needs to have a separate bedroom.

Typical American interiorOur apartment

An apartment in the USA is usually rented together with a professional realtor. Realtors have a license and use a closed real estate database. The services of a realtor are free for the tenant; the owner of the property pays for them.

It is best to contact a realtor in advance, back in Russia. Before your arrival, he will select several options - you will look at them personally and choose a suitable apartment.

Search for realtors using the query “Russian Real estate Sunny Isles Florida”.

In Miami, it is common to bargain for rent. The owner asks for $2,300 for housing, and you offer to rent for $1,800. He refuses, and you offer $1,850. A good realtor will help in the bargaining.

When you and the owner shake hands, the preparation of documents will begin. Property owners usually ask for bank statements and marriage certificates.

The statement must contain $5,000-6,000, and the certificate must be translated (local Russian-speaking lawyers can easily do this right in Miami). They ask for $100 for document verification, the process lasts up to 10 days.

There is no need to be afraid of verification, this is a formal procedure.

I do not recommend renting an apartment remotely. In the photo, the property will look great, but in reality there will be problems: an unpleasant smell or mold in the corners.

Rent is usually paid in advance. If you stay for six months, you pay $12,000. They also make two monthly deposits: one for the owner, the other for the building manager. Deposits are returned upon check-out.

In the USA, people give birth not in a maternity hospital, but in a hospital, under the supervision of a personal doctor. Separate contracts for medical care are concluded with the hospital and the doctor.

Doctor. We were looking for a Russian-speaking doctor who was cheaper. We went to a trial appointment with several and chose the one we liked. The doctor will recommend the hospital where you will give birth.

The doctor is paid $5,000 for childbirth, and another $1,000 for anesthesia.

When you go to meet a doctor, pay attention to his colleagues. It may happen that during your birth the doctor will be busy, then his colleagues will replace him.

Hospital. The average cost of giving birth in a hospital is $3,500–$4,000. This price includes delivery and 48 hours in the ward. Each additional day will cost $1000.

American hospitals look amazing. The woman in labor is given a separate room with a toilet, shower, sofa for visitors, a TV and a bed, the handles of which have a built-in control panel: you can adjust the position of the bed, turn off the lights, call the staff. The nurses here are smiling and nice, because they get $30-50 per hour for their work. This is a lot even by American standards.

Nurse at childbirth

Maternity hospital. In addition to hospitals, there are maternity hospitals in the United States. These are small private hospitals for childbirth, they have minimal equipment. Childbirth in a maternity hospital costs $4,500.

Maternity hospitals are suitable for childbirth without complications and risks. If an emergency occurs in the maternity hospital, the woman in labor will be taken to a regular hospital, where there is everything for salvation. A separate invoice will be issued for this later.

Doctors in the United States often set the date and time of delivery themselves. On this day, the pregnant woman is stimulated with a special drug, which starts contractions.

An hour later, when the contractions are strong but the pain is still tolerable, doctors administer anesthesia. After another couple of hours, birth itself occurs. This reduces the risk for the mother, but increases the risk for the baby.

We agreed with the doctor that the birth would be natural. Not all doctors agree to this.

At the hospital, the first thing you do is fill out a form. Afterwards, the woman in labor is changed into a robe and taken to the birthing room. The sensors are immediately placed on the stomach and finger. They put me on an IV, don’t give me anything to drink or eat, I’m only allowed to suck on ice - just like in the TV series “Friends”. The husband is nearby and answers questions about additional tests. If necessary, employees call an interpreter free of charge.

I'm in a hospital room

I decided in advance that I would not use anesthesia. I thought that I could handle it myself and at the same time save $1000, but that was not the case. The pain was so severe that I still asked for anesthesia.

The doctor called the anesthesiologists. They came and spent a long time remembering what they knew about Russia, looking at Khrushchev and Gorbachev on the screen of the medical monitor.

No one in the States is safe from slow doctors either.

I understood English with difficulty, but I didn’t have any problems with it. If I asked again, they patiently explained everything to me several times.

When the baby was born, he was given to me first, rather than taken away to be washed and swaddled. Everyone was touched, said how handsome he was, and congratulated me. Then the nurse transported me on a chair to the ward. We were in a single room, my husband spent the night in it on the sofa.

Ten minutes after birth

Someone comes into the room all the time. Nurses, doctors and interns monitor the child's condition every hour. The photographer offers to conduct a photo session for the newborn right in the ward.

A representative of social services is interested in the living conditions of a newly minted American citizen. A breastfeeding specialist also comes, pediatricians, cleaners, nurses bring food to the room - and again in a circle.

To sleep, I put my husband as a sentry: he asked those who came to come back later.

The food in the hospital can be surprising - it's typical American hamburgers, French fries and Coca-Cola. But, fortunately, there is an alternative.

At the hospital, you immediately fill out the paperwork so that you can later receive a birth certificate.

We are leaving the hospital

One more detail: upon discharge, you must have a car seat, otherwise the staff will simply not let you and your child leave the hospital.

After being discharged from the hospital, the newborn needs to be seen by the pediatrician several times. The hospital will help you choose a pediatrician and make an appointment. We were looking for a Russian speaker. Five years ago, the pediatrician we chose was almost the only Russian-speaking doctor in Miami. Now there are several of them, but ours is still the most popular. He receives treatment at the children's clinic at the hospital in Aventura.

You cannot call a doctor to your home - you need to come yourself, even if the newborn has a fever. Only emergency services are called to your home by calling 911.

But unlike Russia, in the USA there are no mandatory visits to doctors other than a pediatrician. If everything is fine with the child, no one will force you to go to an ENT specialist or a neurologist and look for any problems. There is a joke about local pediatricians that they accept this: “The child has ten fingers, does he have a head? He’s healthy, next!”

Children's clothes are also sold in stock stores: Birlington, Ross, TJ-Max. A Calvin Klein dress can be found there for $30 instead of the usual $100. The Walmart supermarket has a large children's department with diapers, formula, and toys. The more expensive supermarket is Publix. The most expensive, but with environmentally friendly products, is Hol Foods, everything there is two to three times more expensive.

American passport. The hospital will give you a birth certificate. It costs $50. We recommend taking two copies, just in case.

Then an American passport is made. You need to go to the nearest post office and fill out a form. Please attach a birth certificate, a photograph of the child, the parents’ international passports and a check for $80 to the application. The passport will be issued in 6 weeks or 4 weeks if you pay an additional $40.

When the child turns 21, parents can apply to the immigration office and also become US citizens.

Russian passport. To fly to Russia, a child needs to either apply for a Russian visa in an American passport, or make a foreign passport. We made a foreign passport.

First, we sent the birth certificate to the government authorities, where they issued an apostille for it - this is a document that makes the certificate international. It took a week. Then we translated the birth certificate and apostille into Russian and had it certified by a notary; it cost $250.

There are agencies in Miami that process the documents themselves, and you don’t have to fly anywhere. Their services cost from $1000.

We calculated the average cost of childbirth in the United States. Let’s imagine that we stayed in America for 3 months and the birth took place without complications. Prices are average.

Return tickets

1200 $

Paperwork

650 $

1. If you decide to give birth in Miami, plan your pregnancy so that the birth occurs in the winter. Miami is not that hot in winter.
2. Find a realtor and select several options for an apartment back in Russia. Do not rent housing without a contract.
3. Choose a Russian-speaking doctor who will deliver the baby.
4. It's better to give birth in a hospital, it's safer.
5. Look for inexpensive children's products in Russian-speaking groups on Facebook.
6. Immediately after giving birth, fill out the documents: first for an American passport, then for a Russian one.

Source: https://journal.tinkoff.ru/american-girl/

Cost of childbirth in America in 2019

The desire of modern women to give birth in America is explained by many reasons.

This is not only a high level of medical care, but also automatic acquisition of American citizenship, which allows you to freely travel around the world without a visa, study in the USA on favorable terms, receive a higher salary than in other countries, and be under the protection of the American state anywhere planets.

Other advantages are the opportunity to study in any European country and free choice of place of residence.

In addition, a child born in the United States, upon reaching adulthood, has the right to invite his parents to his place and submit documents for family reunification, thereby making them full-fledged American citizens. It is also possible to have dual citizenship.

All this forces millions of women on maternity leave to make a long trip to another continent.

What do you need to know before going to give birth in the USA?

Every expectant mother who wants her child to be born in the United States should thoroughly prepare for the upcoming trip. First you will need a tourist visa.

The most important thing here is to convince the consul that the woman does not have any immigration goals. She must be a reliable citizen of her country, with a job, real estate, bank accounts or her own business at home.

And the desire to give birth in the USA can be explained by the fact that the medical system here is well developed, including obstetrics.

It should be remembered that pregnancy cannot serve as a reason for refusal to apply for a visa.

But a visa may not be issued for other reasons. Determining the length of stay in the country is of no small importance. It is very important to decide what week to fly to America. A woman can travel to the United States at approximately 32-34 weeks of pregnancy.

You can go back when the baby is able to endure long hours of flight. Here, the maximum period for staying in the country is six months. In the future, it is possible to extend the visa received.

If a woman arrives without her husband, then she must present a marriage certificate with the signature of the child’s father certified by a notary.

You also need to take with you a medical card with previous examinations and ultrasound results. All analyzes must be accompanied by a translation into English.

The expectant mother must decide where she will receive documents for her newborn.

In the US, paperwork can take several months. However, the child's father, who is in Russia, can complete the paperwork in a few days.

Before the flight, you should prepare a first aid kit with all the necessary medications and treatments for yourself and your baby.

This should include standard medications such as activated charcoal, aspirin, and painkillers.

Traveling to a foreign country alone is not recommended. There should be a person next to the expectant mother who will take on the responsibility of finding housing, organizing transportation to the hospital, being able to call an ambulance if necessary, and solving the issue of food.

Cost of childbirth in the USA

Many people believe that giving birth in the USA will be very expensive. However, this is not quite true. American citizens regularly pay insurance premiums, since the country has medical insurance. Representatives of the poor can obtain insurance from the state by presenting the necessary documents.

Non-residents are required to pay for the birth themselves.

The cost of childbirth may vary in different states and cities in the United States. If in Salt Lake City giving birth and staying in a clinic will cost about $5,000, then for giving birth in Miami you will have to pay from seven to ten, and in New York - more than twenty thousand dollars. Clinics in Los Angeles may also be faced with a large bill for payment. You should find out how much childbirth costs in advance.

In addition to paying for the birth itself, other costs should be calculated, including the purchase of air tickets for the flight, food, accommodation, transportation and communication costs, preparation of documents, things and goods for the newborn.

Sending to the USA and solving all housing and everyday issues on a turnkey basis for two adults and a newborn baby can cost a total of 15-20 thousand dollars.

Read also: Barely for large families in 2020

A service such as “all inclusive” will save money. This amount of money is quite enough to settle here comfortably and give birth to a child in good conditions. Do not be afraid of this amount, since childbirth in America will open up great prospects for the child and his parents in the future.

Childbirth in the USA without intermediaries: pros and cons

Often, expectant mothers who have decided to give birth in the USA are offered their services by intermediary firms. They take on all responsibilities for choosing a medical institution and attending physician, renting transport, and resolving accommodation issues. The cost of such services turns out to be significantly higher than resolving all issues independently.

However, intermediaries will be able to provide support if any difficulties arise. Those who have decided to do without third-party assistance from intermediaries must calculate all the expected costs themselves. In this case, you will have to take on all the troubles yourself.

Best Places to Give Birth in the USA

Residents of the CIS countries have a wide choice of hospitals in different cities of the United States. For Russians, there are hospitals where Russian-speaking gynecologists work. A large number of such institutions are located in large cities - New York, Los Angeles, Miami.

When choosing a place for childbirth, it is necessary to take into account not only the prices of medical services and housing, but also the state of the environment.

In large cities it leaves much to be desired. Miami is more acceptable from an environmental point of view. Many people strive to give birth in Miami due to favorable climatic conditions. It is easiest for a child to obtain American citizenship here.

Los Angeles has the most expensive real estate and medical care. There are good clinics in Florida, Orlando, San Diego, and also in California. There are still many people coming to Hawaii to give birth.

How much does it cost to give birth to a child in a good clinic in the USA?

Expectant mothers are wondering how much it costs to give birth in America. Prices in all states of the country are quite different from each other.

Before choosing a medical institution, you need to familiarize yourself with information about the clinics, including studying the price list and choosing where it is cheaper. Women planning to give birth in 2019 should closely monitor price changes.

Despite the difference in prices, there is no doubt that the quality of obstetric care remains equally high in Boston, San Francisco, and Tampa.

• If the contract with the clinic is concluded in advance, then the price can be quite reasonable.
• The following hospitals are popular in Miami: • Mount Sinai Medical Center, located in Florida, where childbirth will cost $3,500; • Broward General Medical Center, where natural birth costs $2,800; • Jackson North Medical Center, where childbirth will cost $2,800;
• • North Shore Medical Center, where you will have to pay $2,500 for delivery.

Of all the hospitals in New York, the Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center was the most affordable. Here, the cost of a natural birth is $2,500. In all cases, the total cost includes a two-day stay in the maternity ward. Additional services are paid separately.

Childbirth during which a caesarean section was performed will be more expensive. The average cost of this service is $4500-6000.

Before you finally decide on the choice of a medical institution, you can read reviews of other women in labor, where they describe their personal experiences, visit thematic forums or blogs. Sometimes the full story of births in the states is told. You can read the pros and cons of giving birth in the USA here.

New York, Philadelphia, Houston, and Florida also remain favorable cities for childbirth.

Is it possible to give birth to a child in the USA for free?

Among those wishing to go to give birth in the USA, there is a belief that this can be done absolutely free. However, this is not at all true.

Only owners of Medicaid insurance have the right to free treatment in American clinics. This does not apply to private clinics. Insurance helps people who do not have enough money for childbirth and subsequent care.

The program allows you to receive free food for your child and receive free medical care for a year. Many people wonder why they cannot take advantage of such a privilege. The fact is that only US citizens have the right to receive insurance. It is illegal for people outside the United States to receive Medicaid.

Features of obstetrics in the USA and prenatal care

Giving birth abroad with the acquisition of citizenship is becoming increasingly popular for Ukrainians, Belarusians, Russians and all residents of the CIS countries.

It is no longer a secret to anyone why people go to give birth in the USA. One of the main benefits is that the child receives citizenship.

In the states, medical care for pregnant women is provided at a higher level than anywhere else. This also applies to how pregnancy is managed before childbirth.

Before giving birth, the woman undergoes careful monitoring. Here it is best to choose a Russian doctor who knows the language.

1. American pregnancy monitoring is standard and includes: • Urinalysis and, in rare cases, blood tests; • Monitoring the woman’s condition, control of contractions; • Pressure measurement; • Listening to the baby's heartbeat;
2. • Ultrasound.

If a gynecologist observes a woman, he himself determines the date of birth. Usually, several doctors attend the birth. In the United States, the presence of the husband and other relatives is approved.

In America, there are separate wards for labor, childbirth and the postpartum period. There is not only a bed, but also a table for a newborn, a toilet and shower for a woman in labor, as well as a sofa for relatives and a TV.

A trip to the USA and the birth of a child there helps to obtain not only high-quality medical care, but also many privileges in the future. The baby is guaranteed to be able to obtain citizenship.

Source: https://SmenaMesta.com/usa/rody-ssha

Childbirth in the USA: organization, cost, advantages and disadvantages

About forty thousand women from all over the Earth go to such a famous country as America . This situation is called “baby tourism”.

There are two reasons. Firstly, comfort for the mother in labor and safety for the baby. It is not surprising that in such an advanced country as the USA, hospitals provide excellent quality of medicine and level of service.

The main reason is that every child born in the USA receives its citizenship !

Visa

A US visa is applied for in the usual way - you need to register on the website of the American embassy and complete all the necessary steps - identification, preparation of the necessary documents, filling out an application form, paying the consular fee, and so on, until you receive the necessary permit. Obtaining a visa to the USA in detail is a topic for a separate article, so we will not dwell on it here.

Let us dwell on the features associated specifically with the future woman in labor. In addition to the visa, you should take out medical insurance. The document will successfully cover pregnancy-related costs, but only for the first twenty-six weeks.

For those who are not US citizens, it comes in two types - Atlas America Insurance, Visit-USA Hearthcare. Please note that before you apply for a visa, you will need to talk to the consulate. They will definitely ask about the purpose of the trip and there are the following options:

• the expectant mother honestly says that she plans to give birth in the USA, but will not stay in the country after giving birth;
• the woman says that she is simply going on vacation to the USA (suitable for early pregnancy, when they will not be able to see her);
• the woman shows a receipt for already paid services at a clinic in the USA and explains that she has already agreed on everything.

This is what an interview at the consulate looks like. You will need to answer the consul's questions through the window.

Honest options, however, will be better. Experts say that in the second case, a woman should be mentally prepared that she is going to the USA for the last time in her life. Although the child will still become a citizen of the country, his future fate will be in big question.

How to give birth

In America, doctors usually set the date and time of birth themselves, or rather, adjust them for general convenience.

There is a special drug that induces contractions, then after an hour anesthesia is administered and after a couple of hours the baby is delivered.

The risk for the woman in labor is much less, but it cannot be denied that for the child it is a little greater. If you are very concerned about the fate of the baby, you can agree on a natural birth option, but it is not possible in any medical institution. It is worth discussing this issue in advance.

At the hospital, you will first need to fill out a form. Then the woman in labor changes into a robe and goes to the room where she will give birth. Immediately, sensors are placed on the finger and stomach, an IV is placed, drinks and food are not allowed, only suck on ice*.

*Ice, of course, will not help anything, but according to some strange tradition, in the USA, it is quite often offered to patients, with various diagnoses. 

If necessary, employees can call a professional translator for free.

The birth itself takes place right in the ward. This is a huge plus. In some maternity hospitals, they still send women in labor under their own power to the birth room. Here, specialists come into the room, the bed is transformed into a chair. No unnecessary movements.

Once the birth is complete, there will be a lot of visitors in the room. Doctors and nurses will carefully examine the baby’s condition. The photographer may offer to take many photographs right in the room. A representative of social services asks about the baby’s living conditions. Therefore, it is better for the father to be present at the birth; he will be able to save the mother from the fuss .

Where is the best place to give birth?

Popular cities are: Miami, Los Angeles, New York. The most popular is Miami. It’s just that “baby tourism” is most developed here. There are hundreds of companies providing support at all stages. A large number of Russian-speaking doctors, doulas, and our compatriots.

Keep in mind. In the summer, Miami is a hot city, even very hot; from August to October, expect 30 degrees Celsius or more. Humid, like a steam room. If you leave a plastic bottle in the sun, it will literally melt.

If such heat is too difficult for you, or even more so unacceptable for health reasons, look for other climatic conditions.

However, in general, for pregnant women who are not ill, such conditions do not pose a serious danger, of course, if everything is in order with thermoregulation in the room at home.

In America they give birth in a hospital, and there will be a personal doctor. Contracts will be concluded with both the medical institution and the health worker.

Hospitals in America are simply wonderful. The woman in labor receives a personal room with a shower, toilet, TV, bed and sofa for visitors. At the same time, the bed has handles to control it - change the position, activate the light, call the staff.

Best Hospitals for Childbirth in Miami

The best is a subjective concept. Therefore, it would be more correct to say that they are the most popular among Russian-speaking women in labor . But at least it’s more convenient to start exploring suitable clinics with them.

The cost of childbirth depends on the specific doctor. Therefore, enter into correspondence using the center’s contacts, and they will tell you their nuances. By the way, any of them will send the necessary invitation for the visa center. This will greatly simplify obtaining a visa. True, some are not so willing to send an invitation.

• Mount Sinai Medical Center Miami | Mount Sinai Medical Center Miami Hospital

This is a network of clinics. And by the way, celebrities gave birth in them. For example, the world star Madonna and our Alsou. Miami has a huge medical complex consisting of 14 buildings. By the way, the hospital was founded in 1949, and currently provides medical services in more than 60 areas.

Mount Sinai Medical Center 4300 Alton Road Miami Beach, FL 33140 [email protected]

www.msmc.com

• Jackson North Medical Center Miami | Jackson North Medical Center Miami Hospital

It has been working since 1912. A kind of municipal hospital. The institution has a good rating, but it is associated with a high number of patients. That is, the services they provide are mostly simple and uncomplicated.

website: https://jacksonhealth.org phone: 305-585-1111

email: [email protected]

• Memorial Miramar Hospital Miami | Memorial Hospital Miramar Miami

Operating since 1953. Today it is one of the largest public clinics in the country. Highly appreciated by patients.

website: https://www.mhs.net/address: 1901 SW 172 Avenue Miramar, FL 33029

In general, childbirth depends more on the doctor than on the clinic itself, so choose the right doctor first, and the clinic itself is secondary.

In addition to hospitals, in the United States there are maternity hospitals - small hospitals with a small amount of equipment. But they may be suitable if the birth is not expected to involve complications. In extreme cases, the woman in labor will be transported to the hospital, and only then an additional bill will be issued.

When is the best time to fly and how long to stay?

It is best to go in the second trimester. This is as safe as possible for the health of the mother and the unborn child. Although you will have to rent housing for longer.

Read also: Single mothers in the military: with children under 14 years old

It won’t be possible to fly in quickly, give birth and return back : you will have to live for several months, because first you will prepare for childbirth, and then recuperate and go through bureaucratic procedures. In general, you should expect at least six months of stay in the country.

Housing

Renting on large portals like Booking or AirB&B will not work. Technically, this can be done, but the cost of such rentals will be much higher, since they still select housing for a short period. You can search for suitable prices and rental offers in different cities on, for example, Apartment Guide (https://www.apartmentguide.com) or Craigslist.

Important! You may need to connect to a VPN service to access these sites, as they block access from other countries.

In each of the major cities of America, it is possible to find places where there are many Russian speakers. Rent a house nearby if you want to be closer to your compatriots. Russian realtors, doctors, nannies can also be found there.

Sometimes the administration will not allow a pregnant couple to rent a 2-room apartment, insisting on a three-room apartment (after all, the child will be the third), this issue is worth discussing in advance.

Renting an apartment usually takes place with the participation of a professional licensed realtor. Which is better to contact in advance. The good news is that the realtor will be free for you, the landlord will pay for his services.

It makes sense to bargain for rent; if the realtor is good, he can even help with this. When you agree on a price, you need to collect documents. Typically, property owners will ask for a bank statement and a marriage certificate.

The statement should contain five to six thousand dollars, and the certificate needs to be translated (lawyers who speak Russian can be found in America without any complications).

Document verification is a formality, costs one hundred dollars, and lasts up to ten days.

They usually pay in advance. Two monthly deposits may be required. One for the owner, the other for the premises manager. Deposits will be returned upon check-out.

It’s better not to rent a property remotely - you may encounter mold and nasty odors in the corners. And it’s better not to withdraw in advance - you can become a victim of scammers. A good option would be to book accommodation for the first time through trusted services (hotel, hotel), and then start searching thoroughly on the spot.

Doctors

When you choose a doctor, look carefully at his colleagues. If the doctor suddenly has to leave urgently, then one of them will replace him, and it’s better that you like them too.

The contract usually includes two appointments before birth, the birth itself and one doctor’s visit afterwards.

As for the staff at the hospital, everything will be great. Nurses are nice, joyful, because they are paid 30-50 dollars an hour, and even in America this is a lot. Other doctors, in addition, are real professionals who can work with even the most advanced modern technology.

Things for a child

Source: https://putihod.ru/amerika/ssha/skolko-stoit-rodit-rebyonka-v-ssha-i-kak-eto-sdelat/

Organization of childbirth in the USA

A new addition to the family is a happy moment in the life of every couple. Parents plan everything down to the minute, including the place of birth of the child.

Following the example of some celebrities, many Russians dream of becoming parents in the United States.

There are many pros and cons of giving birth in the USA; the article will help you step by step understand all the intricacies of organizing childbirth in America. How much does childbirth cost in the USA, how does it work, and is it worth the trouble?

Why are there so many people who want to give birth in the USA?

It's no secret that medicine in the Russian Federation is not at the highest level. Paid private clinics are also not famous for their professionalism. There is an opinion among expectant mothers that it is best to go to America to meet your baby. Should you trust rumors and advertising companies?

Based on the experience of married couples who have already experienced this incredible event overseas, it is worth noting that, despite the high cost and red tape with documents, there are more advantages. Given the different approaches to childbirth and pregnancy management in Russia and the United States, the expectant mother should think about whether one or another method is suitable for her.

In America, doctors try to use the latest techniques, technologies, medicines and equipment. However, the best things are not free. Having a child in the USA is a pleasant and comfortable process, but at each stage you will have to pay for everything.

Free healthcare in Russia has become overgrown with myths about crooked obstetricians who deliver babies while intoxicated almost in the hallway.

This scares most young parents, and they start collecting funds in advance to ensure that their child is born in America.

Of course, the American citizenship of a doctor does not guarantee his high professionalism and dedication to his work. No one is immune from mistakes.

Mothers who gave birth in the United States speak positively about the level of care during pregnancy and childbirth with pathologies. Specialists in the United States will desperately and until the last fight for the health of the fetus, often successfully. What Russian medicine cannot boast of. Therefore, a number of women whose pregnancy is not going as smoothly as they wanted are trying to plan childbirth in the United States.

Documentation requirements

Before heading to the United States, there are several steps to prepare for this event:

• Decide on the place where the birth will take place. You can, of course, choose any city, but Miami is especially popular. When choosing, pay attention to the climate of the city, the qualifications of the clinic and the cost of services.
• Book a hotel and purchase air tickets. Tickets are purchased in advance, and you also need to pay for the hotel for the entire duration of your stay in the country.

Attention! To avoid problems with a visa, you don’t need to carry out fraud like that - come to the USA and cancel your hotel reservation, supposedly for the purpose of staying with relatives or friends.

In this case, the visa will be canceled and it will be extremely difficult to obtain it again.

• Package of documents. When visiting a United States mission in your home city or capital, you must provide your information, photographs, passport, etc., as well as complete a standard visa application. A list of requirements for the package of documents can be found on the official website of the US Mission.
• Pay the state fee. When applying for a visa to America, a mandatory procedure is required to pay the state fee. Its cost is fixed by law.
• After collecting all the necessary papers and submitting them to the Consulate, you must undergo an interview at the United States Mission.
• Obtaining a visa. If the answer to the visa is positive, after receiving it in hand, the pregnant woman has the right to travel abroad.

Before your flight, you need to make sure that all visa-related papers and other personal documents are collected. Eg:

1. Identification.
2. Certificate of income.
3. A document that confirms the availability of funds in a bank account.
4. Documents confirming your hotel reservation.
5. Round-trip air tickets.
6. Papers confirming the agreement with the clinic.

The American side requires all these documents only in order to protect their country from illegal migrants who, after the birth of a child, remain to live in America.

If during an interview at the US mission you can convince employees that the trip to the States is for a comfortable birth and there is no intention to stay abroad forever, there will be no problems.

Flying to America to give birth to a child is not a cheap idea. You need to be prepared for lengthy preparation, which takes a lot of effort and money.

But if there is a loving spouse nearby and reliable relatives, everything will go easily and unnoticed.

It is also recommended to go overseas with one of your family members, since in case of unusual situations, close relatives will be responsible for making any decisions regarding the health of the mother or baby.

Citizenship of the unborn child

According to the laws of the United States of America, a person born in the country automatically becomes its citizen. This is probably the biggest advantage for those who are planning to give birth in the States.

Having dual citizenship for a child opens up great future prospects for him, the opportunity to get education and work in America, and after his 21st birthday, the child can apply for a residence permit and reunite with his family.

A baby who was born in one of the clinics in America can automatically count on receiving a free education or, at a minimum, having benefits. A schoolchild or student with American citizenship, it will not cost as much for parents as paying for the education of a child of foreign citizenship.

Another plus for children with US citizenship is the opportunity to travel to almost all countries of the world visa-free. Many states have opened their borders to residents of the United States. In order to obtain a Schengen visa, an American citizen will only need to undergo a formal interview.

In terms of social security, a child born in America receives many guarantees from the country. Moreover, it is not necessary to renounce Russian citizenship.

Organization of childbirth in the USA

One of the disadvantages of organizing a pregnancy overseas is the long-term passage of various stages on the way to childbirth in a foreign clinic. Often, pregnant women are reluctant to engage in organizational processes.

Any company specializing in this area will come to the rescue here. For a fee, she will willingly take on all the responsibilities for preparing for childbirth. The company can act as a translator, organizer and even a travel agent.

You will have to go to the States several months before giving birth. Take care of paying for food, accommodation, purchasing tickets and other flight expenses on your own. It is recommended to pay and conclude an agreement with the selected clinic in advance. The cost of medical services always depends on the chosen institution.

Important! You should not assume that any American clinic will provide high-quality care. In the USA, as in Russia, you can end up in terrible conditions and low-skilled personnel. And the cost of services will be high.

Giving birth to a foreigner in the United States is an expensive proposition, even compared to American mothers. The provision of medical services to foreign citizens brings quite a large income to the state economy.

Many specialists from different countries go to work in the States due to the high level of medicine. So there is a high probability of meeting with a Russian-speaking doctor. The nationality of the patient does not matter to American medical personnel. One of their main principles is equality.

Advantages and disadvantages

The advantages of having a child in the USA include:

• Possibility of visa-free travel.
• Citizenship.
• High level of medicine.
• Possibility to choose the date of birth (within reasonable limits).
• Good postpartum wards.
• High-quality anesthesia without extreme need.

Minuses:

1. High price.
2. Risk to the health of mother and baby during air travel.

Event cost

It is worth understanding that childbirth in the USA is much more expensive than even in an elite hospital in Russia. Quite wealthy citizens fly to America, and they are prepared to have to pay for almost everything.

To roughly calculate the cost of childbirth in the States, you can contact consulting companies or take up this issue yourself.

On average, the price for a happy event in the USA starts from $15,000. But this is only for childbirth. Plus the cost of anesthesia, accommodation in the ward, examination of the baby, necessary tests.

In addition, you need to add expenses for flights, accommodation and food.

Before making any decision, you should always weigh the pros and cons. Assess the risks and thoroughly understand how the entire birth process will go. Then decide whether you need to cross the ocean to meet a new family member?

Reviews

“I gave birth in Miami, I’m very happy with everything, the medicine is at the highest level. Expensive, of course, but I think it’s worth it!” Alina, 37 years old

“My birth took place in one of the clinics in California, the service was excellent. It’s understandable - for that kind of money. The birth went without complications, the staff was very attentive. I flew to America when I was eight months old, it was a bit difficult.” Sveta, 25 years old

Source: https://VseoVisah.ru/polezno/rody-v-raznyh-stranah-dlya-rossiyan/rody-v-ssha.html

Pros of giving birth in the USA

The birth of a baby is an important event for young mothers and fathers. I want to provide it with the best, but the conditions where it will appear must be at the highest level.

In our country there are VIP wards, private clinics, equipped with modern and expensive equipment. If you do the math, staying there, plus the birth itself, and paying for all services will be expensive. Why then not consider another possibility - having a child in the USA.

What does such a solution provide?

A few years ago, only stars and wealthy celebrities went abroad to give birth. All ordinary mothers read about how well our patients are greeted there, how many advantages there are in such a decision, etc.

Read also: What are the benefits and tax deductions if a single mother gets married?

Now there are no barriers for anyone to travel to the USA. It is possible to agree on childbirth, especially if you use the services of our company. We have been helping mothers give birth to healthy babies in America for several years.

They trust us and recommend us.

The advantages of childbirth in the USA are immediately apparent. The woman in labor will fall into the hands of qualified doctors who annually undergo advanced training courses and confirm their skills. They are very attentive and caring.

Fear of losing your medical license does not give you the right to make mistakes. Agree, this is a big plus.

Unfortunately, in ordinary hospitals, some Russian doctors and obstetricians behave somewhat negligently, which pushes women away.

The clinics are equipped with the latest equipment. Its use will allow you to monitor the health of the woman and child, record heartbeat and pulse rate. It is possible to examine every part of the body and identify defects at an early stage.

After the birth of the first child, doctors leave the stem cells and give them to the parents. Also, at their request, circumcision of the foreskin of boys can be performed.

You won't have to take a lot of things into the room. A shirt and baby accessories required for a stay in the clinic are included in the cost of care.

Nice bonuses

A woman will not feel tired and overwhelmed. In a free country, everything is allowed. She can walk, communicate with expectant mothers, meet friends and simply enjoy every moment of her life. If she feels anxious and has doubts about the progress of the pregnancy, calling the doctor will reassure her.

It is allowed to have conversations with the doctor, express concerns and share fears. As a result, the specialist becomes a part of your life, a friend and assistant. You don’t feel this line at all, where he strictly gives out instructions and recommendations about diet and daily routine, as happens in Russian clinics.

It is the different approach to childbearing that attracts Russian women.

Let's talk about medicine

Every mother cares about the future of the baby, but subconsciously looks for better conditions for herself. It is important for her to be under the supervision of highly qualified doctors who are ready to help even in difficult situations. Here the whole system is different from ours.

If we read reviews of those who gave birth in American hospitals, we will see that they are filled with positive assessments. The equipment of wards and maternity wards is compared, and the favorable attitude of the staff towards the patient is taken into account.

None of them will allow a rude word against the patient.

It's nice to know that you choose your doctor yourself. Of course, you have to pay for everything, and this service is also paid, but the attitude is completely different. You will feel it immediately.

In America, it is customary that an obstetrician delivers babies himself and is present with his patients from beginning to end. You can talk to him about anything, ask any questions without hesitation.

Closer communication is common, which has a positive effect on the course of pregnancy.

It is important for parents to be confident in the safety of their child. And here she is at the highest level. After birth, the baby and mother are given a bracelet with a built-in chip. When you try to take the baby outside the medical facility, an alarm goes off. This prevents the risk of kidnapping. Upon discharge, the devices are cut off.

Climatic conditions

It is easy to understand those who strive for warmer climes. Expectant mothers feel better in the sun, on the hot sand and by the seashore. For some reason, Miami is best chosen by our compatriots. There is an ideal climate and a huge range of services that meet the requirements of women in labor.

Arriving a month or two before a significant event, you have time to relax. The charisma of Miami will help you to be filled with impressions, admire the beauty and completely escape from disturbing thoughts. There are small cozy houses and huge skyscrapers, beaches with the Cote d'Azur, gentle waves.

Shopping, entertainment centers, delicious food - everything is available to guests. Why not use time for good?

What the company offers

We understand that there may be a desire to give birth in America, but the fear of the unknown holds many back. It's just that not everyone knows where to start. Here you need to take into account accommodation, food, know who to negotiate with, which clinic, cost, list of services, etc.

If you are not the one to decide, the task becomes easier. That's what we do: we take all the troubles upon ourselves, leaving our clients the opportunity to simply enjoy the best time in their lives and not worry about anything. Feeling supported and protected, it is easy to relax and calm down.

You are flying with us, with people who speak the same language. The degree of trust is determined immediately, so a woman feels at ease with our nurses. They accompany you everywhere.

We are ready to be present at childbirth and in the delivery room during a caesarean section. Any help you need is within our power.

Extensive experience allows us to guarantee high quality of service on our part and a warm welcome from American doctors.

Expectant mothers expect safety and comfort. You won’t have to read and study documents or look for pitfalls in the contract.

Lawyers have long studied all the points and talked with doctors at the clinics where childbirth takes place. After the baby is born, clients are not abandoned, but continue to deal with paperwork.

During this period, a midwife comes, conducts confidential conversations, gives advice, prescribes vaccinations, etc.

Women who are lucky enough to already become mothers in America are coming back again. Having felt the difference in service and found many advantages, it’s hard to choose something else.

The support and care of our company's employees is highly valued among clients. They are ready to share their joyful impressions with others, so they leave reviews on the site. In this case, you can make sure that traveling abroad with our escorts is safe, comfortable and profitable.

Source: https://happybaby.com.ru/blog/miami/plyusy-rodov-v-ssha

Childbirth in the USA. Pros and cons first hand First family portal of Kazakhstan

What are the advantages and disadvantages of giving birth in America? How much will everything cost including accommodation, food and postnatal care? These questions have been asked and continue to be asked by friends and acquaintances. Many of us have thought about this, but few have any idea how things really are and where to start.  

My baby was born five months ago in California. I didn’t go to America specifically to give birth. My husband works in California and I am getting my MBA and we are living here temporarily.

But I have met many girls from Kazakhstan and Russia who came here specifically to give birth, and every year there are more and more of them. But almost no one, including me, knew about all the pros and cons.

For such girls and for those who are simply interested in this topic, I decided to write this post based on my own experience. 

Of course, there are many benefits to giving birth in California. I would like to highlight the main ones.

1) The most modern equipment in clinics.

We found out the sex of the baby by ultrasound at 10 weeks. Starting from the 20th week, the ultrasounds were in 4D and we could see the face, arms and legs of our unborn baby.

During labor, I saw everything from the baby's heartbeat to the frequency and length of my contractions. Of course, all of this is not necessary, but it is certainly a nice bonus.

• 2) Good conditions in the hospital.
• My room had a bed in which it was comfortable to sleep and give birth, a sofa for my husband, a box for the child, a bathroom with shower and toilet, three meals a day on the menu and a beautiful view of the ocean.
• 3) High responsibility of doctors, qualification and friendliness of medical staff.

Doctors in the USA, unlike ours, are very afraid of losing their license, without which they will not be able to work later, and therefore they are more responsible for the health and safety of their patients. All medical staff retake knowledge testing once a year.  

All the nurses are very friendly and genuinely want to support the woman on her big day. They carefully ensure that the woman experiences as little stress as possible during and after childbirth.

4) Possibility of obtaining American citizenship for a child.

Perhaps the reason most of our fellow citizens travel is an American passport for a child. You can receive it by mail about a month after birth by writing an application at the nearest passport office. I don’t think there’s any need to write about the advantages; everyone knows about them. I just want to note that a child’s passport does not give parents any additional rights in the United States.

5) Security.

You don’t have to worry that your child will be confused, stolen, etc.

The child's mother and father are given special bracelets with a barcode. The child is held only after the bracelet is scanned and the child is released from the hospital only after the bracelets are checked.  

I was also very surprised that before giving birth I was given a sheet with questions that my husband was forbidden to show about whether I felt safe. This is done for women experiencing domestic violence and for those who are in danger.

6) Possibility of filming and presence of the whole family and friends at the birth.

When I had contractions, my husband, mother and mother-in-law were in the room. When the doctor arrived, only the husband remained, but they could have left everyone. We didn’t film the birth itself, but after the baby was born, we captured everything. I think this is a great memory for the future.  

1. 7) Possibility of preserving the child’s stem cells (umbilical cord blood).
2. (I will write about this in more detail in one of the following posts).
3. Possibility of circumcision for boys the day after birth.

In America, this is a standard procedure that 50% of families do for hygiene purposes, regardless of religion. Our pediatrician picked up the baby the day after birth and brought him to him sleeping 40 minutes later. She said it hardly hurt. The main thing for me was that the wound completely healed before the umbilical cord (in about 5 days) and that the child would not remember about it.

9) Childbirth takes place in hospitals and in the event, God forbid, of force majeure for the mother or child, the intensive care unit, wards and all the specialists are often located in the same building. 

10) Sea, sun, beach, clean air and the best shopping in the world for the whole family.

Now let's talk about the cons. There are few disadvantages, but they also exist. Perhaps the high price is the main drawback.

1) A natural birth in the hospital where I gave birth, without complications, cost approximately $8,000-$10,000 for hospital services, $2,000-$4,000 for anesthesia, and $5,000 for the doctor. In general, the price ranges from $15,000-$20,000 without anesthesia complications. If you have a cesarean section, it's an additional $15,000.

The price increases as complications during childbirth or problems with the child afterward increase. Most of the people I know who gave birth here spent $20,000-$30,000 per birth. It is worth noting that California is the most expensive state, there are places where you can spend a much smaller amount, but at the same time there is sun, ocean and the best living conditions all year round.

The expectant mother can swim in the pool and breathe clean sea air with her baby. 

The price of apartments is from $1500 and above per month. Basically, these are entire communities with swimming pools, gyms, in which all apartments are for rent.

It is also worth considering other expenses, such as food, car rental, flights, ultrasounds and examinations before birth, vaccinations for the child and pediatric services after.

2) The second disadvantage for me was the “unavailability” of doctors. 

In Kazakhstan, you can call your doctor directly at any time of the day. In America, doctors have a “private life” and you can only call the office at certain times outside of weekends. This applies to the gynecologist, pediatrician, and everyone else. The doctor calls back when it is convenient for him.

• Also, many doctors are on duty only on certain days at night, and if you give birth on a different day, the doctor on duty will attend the birth.
• 3) In America you cannot go to the hospital in advance, even for money. 
• Take only when your water breaks or contractions occur every 5 minutes.

If not, they will send you home to endure it further. Also, a woman spends a maximum of 1-2 days in the hospital, if there are no complications.  

Despite all this, I have never regretted that I gave birth to my baby here. My experience was extremely positive. To give birth or not in America is everyone’s business. I hope my experience will help you learn more and be useful in making a decision for those who are thinking about it!  

If anyone has questions, I will be happy to answer!

*The language and style of the author have been preserved

Source: https://pandaland.kz/blogs/beremennost-i-rody-2/raznoe-i-poleznoe/rody-v-ssha-plyusy-i-minusy-iz-pervyh-ruk