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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

Original poster

Giving birth as a UK citizen living abroad?!

32 replies

Beauteousmess · 22/07/2022 10:00

I’m a British citizen living overseas, I want to give birth in the uk, I am aware that I am not covered by NHS, and will be covering the costs of delivery. I don’t want to go to a private hospital because they would be so much quite expensive and was hoping to give birth in an NHS hospital and cover the costs of delivery. I contacted a few hospital but it’s very hard to understand what I need to do as I am not registered with a GP. One of the hospitals I contacted told me they are not accepting private patients because of backlog due to covid. If anyone has experience with this I would be grateful. I know I could show up for delivery and they can’t refuse services, but I wish to have a more planned for delivery. I plan to arrive in the UK at 34 weeks and either stay with family (in the city where they said about backlog) or give birth in any part of the uk and rent a place for those few months.

Any advice would be helpful.

OP posts:
ParvuliThankYouDebbie · 22/07/2022 10:05

This is very similar to a thread a few weeks ago, although that one was on behalf of a relative.

You can’t give birth on the NHS (if you’re ineligible) and ask to just pay a nominal fee for it - that’s literally what private healthcare is for.

If you come here for the express purpose of giving birth and you are not eligible, no they won’t turn you away, but they are likely to bill for the costs and that’s not necessarily going to be less than private healthcare - particularly if it isn’t a straightforward birth.

Original poster
Beauteousmess · 22/07/2022 10:23

The other problem is that the city where my family lives there is no private maternity clinic. I would have felt better being around family.

OP posts:
Original poster
Beauteousmess · 22/07/2022 10:26

I also did contact birthright, they did say I could give birth at a hospital of my choosing, if there wasn’t a problem with backlog it would have been straight forward.

OP posts:
Rinatinabina · 22/07/2022 10:27

I just had my baby where I live, it’s a lot less hassle than trying to get a baby back to the country you are resident in when you are post partum.

Original poster
Beauteousmess · 22/07/2022 10:30

My mother gave birth to me abroad as she was living abroad at the time. So I am a citizen by descent, if I give birth abroad too my child wouldn’t be eligible for citizenship.I think it would be unfair for my child. This is why I need to fly back to give birth.

OP posts:
PinkPrawns2 · 22/07/2022 10:39

Where I work you would be asked to fill in an Overseas Visitor form, and the finance department would contact you at some point for payment. You wouldn't be denied care but you would have to pay for it.

Original poster
Beauteousmess · 22/07/2022 10:43

Yes, ofcourse I know I would have to pay for it. Can you please advise to I fill this overseas visitors form when I arrive at 34 weeks? Or should I visit the uk before hand and do this earlier? Thank you so much, this is helpful.

OP posts:
PinkPrawns2 · 22/07/2022 11:06

I'm not sure, we used to see them being sent with the maternity notes at booking but I've not seen one for a while. I think the referral team ask when you make the initial appointment and maybe it's sent directly.

WillMcAvoy · 22/07/2022 11:11

Honestly, as a British citizen no-one is going to ask you to pay anyway. Turn up, give birth, you're not realistically going to get a bill.

Original poster
Beauteousmess · 22/07/2022 11:22

😂, I would feel more comfortable paying though.

OP posts:
Original poster
Beauteousmess · 22/07/2022 11:25

Thank you

OP posts:
gingercat02 · 22/07/2022 11:32

WillMcAvoy · 22/07/2022 11:11

Honestly, as a British citizen no-one is going to ask you to pay anyway. Turn up, give birth, you're not realistically going to get a bill.

That is absolutely not true!

OP you need to contact the overseas visitors team at which ever hospital you are planning to use. They will be able to advise you. It's complicated and I doubt anyone here will be able to advise you correctly

Sniffypete · 22/07/2022 11:33

@Beauteousmess being born in the uk doesn't mean they will be a British citizen. Also, if they are born abroad then they may still be able to apply for citizenship.

www.gov.uk/apply-citizenship-british-parent/born-on-or-after-1-july-2006

VeryQuaintIrene · 22/07/2022 11:34

Please don't believe anyone who says they won't make you pay - they absolutely will. I am a British citizen but overseas resident and had an emergency medical situation (sepsis, really serious, ICU etc etc) in December-January, so not planned or health tourism or anything, and now I have a bill for 30K. They hav massively tightened up over the last few years.

Traceyfudge77 · 22/07/2022 11:34

WillMcAvoy · 22/07/2022 11:11

Honestly, as a British citizen no-one is going to ask you to pay anyway. Turn up, give birth, you're not realistically going to get a bill.

That’s not the experience these days, they are much more on the ball now. My sister came back to give birth. She was quizzed at anti natal appointment and was billed separately for the hospital care and the “at home” immediate postnatal care.

Loads of posts about this on any number of British Expats overseas forums and Facebook.

You are correct that, as you were born overseas (and presumably not because of any Uk government service posting) you cannot pass on Uk nationality to your child unless she/he is born in UK.

Original poster
Beauteousmess · 22/07/2022 11:35

I plan to pay.

OP posts:
Original poster
Beauteousmess · 22/07/2022 11:39

It depends on each individual situation, as a citizen by descent I have to give birth in the uk to pass on my citizenship. They automatically get the citizenship because their mother is British, however they don’t get it if born abroad.

OP posts:
Traceyfudge77 · 22/07/2022 11:40

Beauteousmess · 22/07/2022 11:35

I plan to pay.

So contact the overseas visitors team at your chosen hospital as a PP has advised. No doubt the trust will be glad to see the colour of your money!

Original poster
Beauteousmess · 22/07/2022 11:41

I don’t consider it health tourism, as citizens who are not residents, we could go back for health needs. I know you’re saying it kindly, I just mean I am not trying to use the system, I just want whats best for my child and ready to pay for it.

OP posts:
Aintnosupermum · 22/07/2022 11:41

@Sniffypete Its a nightmare and the OP is correct to deliver the baby in the UK. I had to petition the home office because they said my evidence of residency in the UK was insufficient for my children to be British citizens. They were really quite rude about it because what they are asking is impossible.

oP- I’d move back to the UK and register, planning to stay for your entire mat leave. It’s easier to sort out any taxes than it is to sort out care and the NHS bill.

Original poster
Beauteousmess · 22/07/2022 11:42

Haha, I hope so, thank you 🙏 will try to figure out how to contact them. Thanks a million.

OP posts:
Original poster
Beauteousmess · 22/07/2022 12:06

Can you clarify what do you mean by go back and register? Thank you for your comment.

OP posts:
hedgehoglurker · 22/07/2022 12:25

Can your child not also be British by Descent if you lived here for at least 3 years? I had to go with this option for one of my children born overseas, as I was too.

Unfortunately, they won't be able to pass on citizenship automatically if they then have a child overseas, but that would be an issue for them later that they can prepare for.

aftonwater · 22/07/2022 12:35

How long are you planning to stay after the birth? I see you are planning to in uk from around 34 weeks. If you are planning to be here for more than 3 months you could register with a GP and get your ante and post natal care on NHS.

funder · 22/07/2022 17:57

You can pay for the maternity services you use throughout your pregnancy, birth and postnatal care. It's 150% the NHS tariff.

If you turn up at 34 weeks you'll only pay for the appointments you use before giving birth so make sure it's deducted from your postnatal care 'package'

Once you arrive in the uk, self refer to maternity services at the hospital you want to birth at and they will go through the process with you. You will be billed after the birth.

You can have a look at the tariff here

www.england.nhs.uk/publication/overseas-patient-upfront-price-list-2021-22/

And check the what is included in maternity pathway's here
(Section 10)

www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/2022-23-National-Tariff-Payment-System-a-consultation-notice.pdf

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