Moving Abroad Before or after Pregnancy?

[Drofoxnow]

Hi ya

Just wondering what you would suggest in terms of whether to move abroad pre or post pregnancy.

Moving before = easier in terms of organising the move and to transport the baby in utero would be easier BUT

Moving after = less risk during the pregnancy of miscarriage (I have had a few) and can avoid the flight and associated risks in flying.

Flying after or before gives the child a different birth nationality and would mean s/he would have different rights to its siblings in terms of where to live and what nationality it could pass on to any children they MAY have in the future. Am I mad to consider this at all.

Thanks!

[katandkits]

Flying in pregnancy is not a risk.

What is the healthcare situation in the new country? Would you get decent free care? Would you be covered on insurance if already pg when you move? Perhaps easier to stay here and have baby on the NHS then move later?

[Drofoxnow]

As I was born in the new country I would be covered by their system but I don't know how free it is. Free ish I think. I am feeling quite apprehensive about moving to a new system half way through if I am honest.

The problem with all of this is that we are almost at the point of no return on the move. House in the process of selling, resignations submitted. All of which was started way before we had that BPF on the pee stick.

[twohearts]

I recently moved abroad in 3rd trimester. It's not the easiest thing to do but I strongly believe it would've been more difficult to do after the birth as there'll be more to cope with after baby's arrival.

Flying doesn't harm the baby in utero, btw, so you should be fine there if you decide to do it before.

As someone else brought up, making sure you have access to health care is very important. You should look into the quality and cost of care in the new country and perhaps make your decision of when to move based on that.

[WallyBantersJunkBox]

I'd agree - check the health insurance policy. If it's private healthcare some companies won't pay out if you are already pregnant when joining.

Where I live it's the norm for Med insurance not to pay out within the first year of the policy for pregnancy.

[madwomanbackintheattic]

I've had three babies in three different countries. I've moved with a baby, very pregnant, and had one o'seas without a move.

I can quite honestly say that there were no real issues with any of the above. One of my kids has a dual nationality that neither dh or I, or his siblings have, we turned down dual nationality in a different country for another as it may have led to mandatory conscription, and the third we moved back to the UK at 32 weeks pg.

A lot depends on the country, obv, but really just go for convenience every time. Moving with a baby is a pita. And flying isn't a miscarriage risk. Check your insurances and check with the airline as to regs for latest carriage (ie long haul not past 32 weeks or whatever). Just carry your notes. Most other things can be worked out unless you OR the baby are uninsured in your destination.

[hartmel]

I haven't moved overseas but I moved houses when pregnant and when baby was two weeks olds.. And from my experience it is easier to move when you are still pregnant. As when the baby is there you have to feed it, make sure it is comfortable, they want to be cuddled. That means delay in everything..

Moving after baby is born you have to keep in mind that your baby will be #1 priority.

Moving still pregnant is also hard as you have a bump that is kind of in the way. You can't lift heavy things etc

As you are moving overseas I would as the previous posters said check about insurance, health service etc before you move and way in advance.. This way you can decide if you want to move before or after..

Good luck
And congrats

[NancyinCali]

I moved from the uk to the us when I was 5 months pregnant. Would definitely rather do that than with a baby personally.

[Mutley77]

Yep I would much rather move when pregnant (which I did). I was also worried about flying in pregnancy as I had complications in late pregnancy with my first 2 DC but I just picked the latest date I was prepared to fly (and we flew on that day!!!), about 24 weeks pg I think.

I found the organisation and execution of a move much easier without a newborn to consider (already have 2 DC so had to sort them and their schools out as well) - we had a fully packed move so the packing and unpacking wasn't an issue. We also paid for all the relevant cleaning to be done. The only packing I did was five suitcases kind of extended holiday type packing. I was tired sorting out the new house but it was manageable.

But I didn't have any major considerations on healthcare (I was fully covered in the destination) or nationality - all my children are dual of both countries.

[Drofoxnow]

Thanks everyone. Current thinking is that is would be easier to move before as the plans are already in motion and it would be better for family as a whole. We're moving back 'home' to be near our extended family and that would be much nicer for everyone. The one in utero may curse me later for not being born here but will have to find another way to get here if really important.

Will be checking the insurances course, but assuming all is well that may well be the soothest passage......