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Living overseas

Whether you're considering emigrating or an expat abroad, you'll find likeminds on this forum.

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Original poster

talk to me about having your baby back in the UK

123 replies

PrincessSnowLife · 01/12/2007 07:56

How many of you have gone home to the UK to have your babies? And if so, how do you go about that?

I just know I would feel so much more relaxed and safe to be having another baby back at home rather than here. For so many reasons. I don't know any expats here to run this by, or to find out any birth stories. Obviously, women have babies all the time and I haven't heard of anything going wrong for anyone in the time I've been here. But something in me says that I would much rather be at home for another birth.

Paying for a private birth in the UK is not an option. So I'm guessing that I would have to move back for a while to be registered with the NHS again? Anyone know how these thing work? Any experiences?

I'm not pregnant btw. Just that we would actually love another LO now but it feels like there is too much stacked against us for it to be that realistic. So I'm thinking that if I at least know whether or not I can go back to the UK for a birth, then we can take it from there.

I rambled, didn't I?

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Original poster

PrincessSnowLife · 23/12/2007 21:09

Glad you replied.
Sounds like your UK practice were not ideal. It varies so much from one practice to another, and from one hospital to another, that's the problem. And that will apply in any country.

Got to dash for now (restless DS waking up to check if santa has come early ) but thanks for coming back.

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MrsSchadenfreude · 23/12/2007 22:19

Have never been to BiH, PrincessSnowLife. Kosovo is my limit in the Balkans. Oh and Serbia of course. Have spent a large chunk of my adult life in Eastern Europe, mostly Poland, and miss the snowy winters.

Hope Santa finds his way to you. We live in the middle of a field overlooking a moat and DD2 is worried that his sleigh will disturb the sheep!

bonnetscotch · 24/12/2007 15:59

What is wrong with Mrs S?

Are you in my life or my family's life to know what the hell I am paying? Clearly your friend and yourself are cheap asses (since you want me spell it out to you). Do not worry about where I pitch with my "emergency baby" - all you need to know is that if I turn up at any hospital, I will be no NHS tourist!! So I can go to Spain, Germany, the UK or anywhere I bloody well please! How can you make such a judgement about me when you have no idea what my circumstances are? In fact, on further examination I don't even have to prsent my EU details because I am still entitled based on the length of time I have been away. I already said I have just read my policy - or did you miss that? Well, I am coming to the UK.....don't lose any more sleep over it.

Have a good Christmas!

PrincessSnowlife - Wow - this weather is CRAZZYYYY!!!

MrsSchadenfreude · 26/12/2007 13:14

If you're not an NHS tourist, Scotchbonnet, then you're not one of the people I'm getting at, are you? So why are you so angry?

"Cheap Ass..." Nice. Just because I couldn't afford to go private.

Read your own post: "How can you make such a judgement about me when you have no idea what my circumstances are?"

MrsSchadenfreude · 26/12/2007 13:15

Nice, to be so rude about those who are less well off than you.

Pity cash can't buy you manners.

bonnetscotch · 26/12/2007 20:58

MrsS - You read well - but you have difficulties with comprehension.

You were the one who entered this discussion trying to label other individuals who were simply discussing "how a system works". You were quite rude and judgemental when you attacked individuals who were sensibly discussing a topic, about expatriates giving birth in the UK.

You have not read anywhere me writing that I intend to go private in the UK (because I don't).....so there goes yor comprehension flaws AGAIN. You did address me when you made reference to me pitching on the NHS with my emergency baby. So, because of your self righteous attitude, you need to be told that for such a guardian of the NHS - you and your friend were cheap asses who tried to cheat the system and got caught. If you and your friend had paid a little more than the basic requirement - then she would not have been the freeloading NHS tourist you so loathe!! And "perhaps" you would not be such a bitter person....although I suspect there a deeper seated issues for anyone who feels the need to browbeat on an internet forum!

You have totally ignored the point that individuals living outside of the UK can make contributions in the EU that allows them to be treated on the NHS. No - instead you insist on thinking you have the BIBLE on this and that you should come on this board and chastise others who know their rights and know how to exact them.

There is no point trying to further engage you in the wholesome thread that this once was before you stampeded through with your lack of knowledge and self righteousness, because, you have thus far demonstrated acutely low comprehension skills.

You no longer exist on this thread as far as I am concerned and I will now revert to addressing the individuals who wanted to meticulously, sensibly and non-judgementally explore a very relevant issue for expatriates.

Selah.

MrsSchadenfreude · 27/12/2007 11:02

I wasn't an NHS tourist. I was paying Class One National Insurance conributions throughout my time overseas. So I was entitled to come back to UK to have my baby on the NHS.

I do object to NHS tourists, and I think most people who live here and pay their taxes and NI do as well. My point was merely that contributing to an EU scheme does not necessarily entitle you to come back to UK and have your baby, knee operation or whatever on the NHS. People need to check where they stand on this with the UK hospital before pitching up, or they are likely to be charged. Standing there baying "I'm British, I know my rights" won't help anyone.

Original poster

PrincessSnowLife · 29/12/2007 18:45

dear me, I spend a few days away from here and miss out on all the fun. jebi ga.

shall we let this go now? and please please can I employ you (both) to fight my corner if I ever need a lawyer!! I am impressed.

how's the pregnancy going, BScotch? how many weeks now? found a gp? blooming cold, isn't it. Noticed it was dipping a lot further down again this afternoon. Reckon we're in for a minus 15 night again tonight. Brrrrrr.

santa made it MrsS! we had a very happy little man here on christmas morning - three grandparents to adore him and santa remembered him.

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Original poster

PrincessSnowLife · 06/01/2008 17:50

bonnetscotch - I might be in Sarajevo on Sunday. Fancy a MN meet-up? If you're about and you fancy meeting for a kahfu, drop me a line on mh-g
at
hotmail
co
uk

Hope you're doing well.

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Original poster

PrincessSnowLife · 07/01/2008 22:05

bumping for bonnetscotch

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bonnetscotch · 08/01/2008 13:13

Hey - Just saw this!!! this wil be Sunday coming right??? If so - definitely!!

Sending mail....just in case you don't receive, you can email me at
bonnetscotch
at
yahoo
dot
com

ruty · 08/01/2008 13:27

hello to PrincessSnowLife and Bonnetscotch. My dh is Macedonian, so he knows the Balkans pretty intimately! i'm not sure what the healthcare is like in bosnia, but I would be a little bit nervous myself, although of course hundreds of babies are born there and are absolutely fine. Anyway, if Macedonia was not too hard to get to, my dh knows a private hospital there and can get a recommendation of a good doctor. We have many friends and family who have babies over there with no problems. CAT me if you want any info.

Rantmum · 08/01/2008 13:31

I had ds in Uk and have moved to Europe and plan to have any subsequent children here. No offence to the NHS, but when you experience the medical systems on the continent who can't help be dismayed by the care (or lack thereof) prevalent in the UK.

Don't want to be a scaremongerer because some aspects of my experience were fine. Unfortunately, though, my overall experience of childbirth in the UK was not.

Rantmum · 08/01/2008 13:31

Don't want to be a scaremongerer because some aspects of my experience were fine. Unfortunately, though, my overall experience of childbirth in the UK was not.

Rantmum · 08/01/2008 13:31

Don't want to be a scaremongerer because some aspects of my experience were fine. Unfortunately, though, my overall experience of childbirth in the UK was not.

Rantmum · 08/01/2008 13:31

Don't want to be a scaremongerer because some aspects of my experience were fine. Unfortunately, though, my overall experience of childbirth in the UK was not.

ruty · 08/01/2008 13:32

yes I'd rather give birth in Western Europe than the UK, not sure about the Balkans in general though.

Rantmum · 08/01/2008 13:33

I have NO IDEA what happened there, but truly it is not that interesting that it merits multiple posts so if you read it at all only read it once!

Sorry

Rantmum · 08/01/2008 13:36

Yes, ruty thanks I should clarify I moved to western europe (and last time i checked the UK was in western europe but my experience did not necessarily live up to that fact, although I suppose I should accept that it would have been worse had I had my baby in the Balkans - that is not exactly high praise for the NHS though)

Rantmum · 08/01/2008 13:39

btw - don't mean to sound off. It is just a pet peeve - why doesn't the UK, one of the wealthiest countries in the world have a better health system?

ruty · 08/01/2008 13:41

apparently UK ranks very low in the whole of Europe in terms of having a baby, and even Poland is higher. Will try to find link.

Original poster

PrincessSnowLife · 09/01/2008 11:02

Hey, bonnetscotch! Coooooool!!!
Will email you now.

Sorry you had a bad experience Rantmum. I've heard horror stories too but thankfully I was given excellent care with my first birth in the UK and know many other mothers who have had no problems. In the area I live now I am not within fast and easy reach of extra help if anything goes wrong, unfortunately. I guess for me it is a matter of deciding where I want to take the risk, iykwim.

Thanks for the really kind offer ruty . I will bear it in mind, although going private is not an option for us right now. I should pursue that option here a little more too really, regardless of our financial stuation, because there are private hospitals too... and I even teach the owner of one of them!! But as I think I have mentioned up the thread somewhere, as soon as the first mention of babies is made, the gossip will start in town . I'll just have to be brave!!

By now DH and I have had a proper chat about the whole 'baby and pregnancy thang' and we definitely want to do it this year ... (better email my sister before she read this!!) and have decided that I will go back and temp in the months running up to the birth so that I am making my contributions, in both the financial and social sense. That will make me feel better about it all. So next problem is getting my coil removed safely...... and making sure the town newsletter gets the full story !!! Sigh

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Original poster

PrincessSnowLife · 30/01/2008 09:54

this may be of help to you too, bonnetscotch
x

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