It's good where we do not exist: the pros and cons of giving birth abroad

As you know, there is always grass behind someone else's fencegreener, and many pregnant women dream of giving birth anywhere but in Russia. So what are the real advantages of giving birth abroad over domestic ones, and how much does it cost to give birth abroad? Future mothers decide to give birth abroad for various reasons: some do not trust Russian doctors, while others have already had a bitter experience and do not want to repeat it. Women are ready to travel thousands of kilometers, just to be sure that both medical care, comfort, and the attitude of the staff will be at the highest level. The general level of medicine in the country where a woman plans to give birth also plays a big role - for example, in Germany, more than 230 billion euros are spent on healthcare per year - this is the highest indicator of medical expenses in the EU countries. Childbirth there is also not cheap - from 10 to 13 thousand euros on average, and the price for a cesarean section sometimes reaches twenty thousand euros. It is worth noting that due to the political division of the lands, pricing policies in German cities are different - for example, giving birth in Berlin is cheaper than in Munich. In Austria, childbirth will cost much less, although the level of medicine there is no worse than in Switzerland and Germany, which are considered ideal countries for childbirth. Giving birth in the USA costs from five to ten thousand dollars, about the same price in Israel, where until recently there were better conditions for women in labor, given the absence of a language barrier. A woman who comes to give birth in Europe invariably gets into a clean, cozy ward with a comfortable bed and a nurse call button, and the husband, if he himself wants it, is always next to his wife - this is another reason why expectant mothers go to give birth abroad. Giving birth in the USA gives another pleasant bonus - a child born on the territory of this country automatically becomes its citizen. Giving birth abroad has its downsides, and the very first pitfall in the path of a pregnant woman is medical insurance, which is offered together with a "birth tour". Its conditions need to be read very carefully, since often force majeure situations are not included in the list and will require additional expenses. The second difficulty is the flight. Airlines have limits on the gestational age (mostly 6-8 months). The flight itself is a lot of stress and a serious burden on the cardiovascular system, especially when it comes to a woman who is carrying a new life inside her. Flying with complications during pregnancy is even more dangerous, and many airlines require a certificate stating that there are no contraindications when selling a ticket. Unusual food and a different climate can also have negative consequences for the health of the expectant mother. One way or another, in any country in the world, doctors and obstetricians do everything possible to help their patients give birth to a healthy, strong baby. You can see how this happens in one of the Russian maternity hospitals in the program "Newborn Russia" from September 15 on Mondays at 22:00 on TLC.