Having a Baby in Spain

Contraception is not free in Spain. Contraceptive pills are available by prescription only. A prescription can be issued by a gynaecologist (ginecologo). The pills can bought at a pharmacy/chemist.

Before conception, or in the early stages of pregnancy it is recommended to explore the options available and consider the following:

• Where to receive the best care during pregnancy
• Where is the safest place to deliver the baby
• Who can provide the best post natal care
• What entitlements are there under the social health care system
• What coverage may be provided by private health care

There are both social and private clinics in all areas of Spain. A person not entitled to social health care has the option of private care. This choice may be influenced by insurance cover and the cost of individual services.

Many people are entitled to social health care but are naturally worried if they don't speak Spanish. This can raise safety aspects as many important things may be lost in translation.

Pre-Natal Care

As soon as a pregnancy is suspected, consult a doctor. This visit is to confirm the pregnancy, examine the expectant mother to organise routine blood tests and an early ultra sound scan.

Generally (although this may vary) you should receive pre-natal examinations from a doctor or midwife:

• every 4 weeks until week 28
• every 2 weeks until week 36
• weekly until delivery

The midwife provides a great source of support to the expectant mother. Some clinics have a doctor and midwife team which provides continuity of care.

The reason for regular pre-natal care is to continually monitor maternal and foetal well-being, to monitor the progress of pregnancy and for early detection of deviations from normal.

Spanish Social Security provides a pre-natal care benefit to pregnant women whose jobs would put their pregnancy at risk. 

Pre-Natal Education

Ensure that the chosen clinic offers a complete pre-natal education programme. This will be provided by the midwife and is a vital part of pre-natal care. The course should include preparation for labour (what to expect), breathing and relaxation techniques and preparation for infant feeding.

Where to Deliver the Baby

Although it is seldom possible to choose a particular unit at a Social Security hospital these hospitals tend to offer a very high standard of care, with emergency personnel services readily available.

When choosing a delivery unit the following should be considered:

• Which unit has the highest safety record
• Whether there is a paediatrician resident in the unit 24 hours a day
• If there are facilities for intensive neonatal care
• The Caesarean section rate
• The methods of pain relief available

In the private sector, the chosen obstetrician may only deliver care in one particular unit. This would limit the choice.

Following normal vaginal delivery without complications mother and baby can expect to be discharged home within 24 hours. Following Caesarean section the stay in hospital may be from three to five days.

On discharge from hospital, the paperwork in order to register the baby, advice on vaccinations, and an infant record book which records the infant's health from birth to 18 years of age will be received.

The following vaccinations are recommended: tetanus, diphtheria, whooping cough, (Difteria, t?tano, tos farina), Haemophilus B (Haemophilus influenzae tipo B), MMR (Sarampi?n, paperas, rubeola) TB (BCG). 

Immunisation policy may vary in the different autonomous regions of Spain. 

Home Births

Home births are generally not available in Spain.

Registration of a Birth

Births must be registered within eight days at the local civil registry office (Registro Civil). It is the parents responsibility to ensure this is done and it must be carried out in person. In some cases the hospital, clinic or midwife will register the birth. 

Either parent, grandparents, a brother or sister, aunt or uncle or cousin of the parents, may register the birth. The registered name must conform to Spanish regulations regarding compound names and also ensure that the name will not prove harmful or confusing for the child. 

There are two types of certificate: 

• short/abridged (un extracto de inscripci?n de nacimiento or certificado simple): contains the date of birth, the names of the child and parents and the inscription number
• full birth certificates (un certificado literal de nacimiento): full certificates may be needed for registration with the Consulate of a baby born to foreign national resident in Spain 

The birth registration includes:

• name of the new-born
• date, time and location of the birth. In the case of multiple births, when the exact time is unknown for each new-born, indication shall be given of the order in which they were born, or that this could not be determined
• whether the new-born is male or female and the name given
• the parents, when the relationship is legally recognised
• the number assigned to the birth or verification file
• the time of registration

Birth certificates must state whether a child is legitimate or illegitimate. Children born within 180 days after their parent's marriage, or within 300 days of a divorce, a marriage annulment or the death of the father are considered legitimate.

Registering a child born within a marriage

A close family member can register the birth; the following must be taken to the Civil Registry:

• Medical delivery report (this form is provided by the hospital where the delivery took place)
• DNI (National Identification Card) of the parents
• Family Book (or marriage certificate duly legalised and translated, as appropriate)

Registering a child born outside marriage

In this case, a declaration is required from both parents, with the father and the mother going to register the birth in person, providing the following documentation:

• Medical delivery report (this form is provided by the hospital where the delivery took place)
• The parents DNIs
• Indication of the mother's marital status
• If a prior marriage existed, the legal presumption of paternity must be removed by providing: Marriage certificate (with the corresponding note), and the separation or divorce decree (witnessed)
• In the case of a de facto separation, two witnesses must accompany the interested party to the Register
• The Ministerio Justicia English-language pages have a description of registering the birth: Click here
• Birth certificates for specific regions can be downloaded: Click here and select the relevant region (in Spanish)

Post Natal Care

Post natal care tends to be very limited. Social security merely offers routine six week post natal examination (unless, of course, there are complications).

Statutory Maternity Leave

Statutory maternity leave in Spain is currently 16 weeks paid leave from work, which may be taken before of after delivery. This is increased by two weeks for each child in the event of a multiple birth from the second baby.

Fathers are entitled to paternity leave; it is as a shared part of the mother's maternity leave. If there are complications for either the baby or the mother the father is entitled to longer leave.

Benefits

Confirm your eligibility for social security care as soon as possible. If this is available to you often the best option is to register with the social security provider and supplement that care with a private clinic of your choice. If the option is available, private clinics will invariably offer more intensive pre-natal and post natal care and support.

In order to encourage more births in Spain, mothers of children born after 00:00 on 3 July 2007 are entitled to a one-off payment of ?2,500. Only mothers who are Spanish citizens or foreigners who have been resident in Spain for at least two years prior to the birth are eligible. Adoptive parents who adopt a child within Spanish territory are also eligible.

Working mothers are also entitled to a monthly ?100 allowance for childcare. Application for this monthly benefit automatically generates an application for the one-off ?2,500 childbirth benefit. To apply, contact the local Social Security office (Seguridad Social).

• See the Seguridad Social website for the nearest office: Click here
• For further information, see the Tax Agency (Agencia Tributaria) website: Click here (in Spanish)