Currently living in Australia, but giving birth in the UK

[LornaR18]

Hello,

I am hoping someone can advise me on a dilemma I have?.. I am an Australian and a British citizen, grew up in the UK, but have been living & working in Australia for the last 6 years. My husband (also British and Australian citizen) and I, are expecting our first baby in July next year, and will be in the UK when I am due to birth (planning on being in the UK from the end of April). He is relocated to the UK for work April ? September. So happy to be around my family for the arrival of our first child. BUT ? my question is to do with our options for giving birth ? I believe it is hard to get health insurance cover once you are already pregnant (I think you need it for 12 months beforehand??), and that choices for NHS and Private birth options in the UK are very different to what is offered in Australia. Can I still give birth on the NHS because I have lived in the UK for the majority of my life, or as I have been employed in Australia for the past couple of years does it make me void?

Also ? what are the options for paid parental leave?. I will get maternity pay through my employer in Australia ? but what about government support seeing as the first 2 months of my child?s life will be in the UK before I move back to Australia? Soo confused as this is first time pregnancy for me, so any help / advice or guidance would be very much appreciated!

Thanks so much in advance,
LR

Im no expert but i think most insurances are fine with you travelling upto about 30 something wks, some planes after that like to have a fit to fly from your dr i think. Ive also read how in america flight attendants carry on working till they pop so i cant see an issue with your travel.

Mr cameron has said that all foreigners in the uk can use the nhs now, might not even matter tho do you have a british passport or just the australian one?

On the benefits note i think it would be unfair to expect them from the uk system but to be honest they might not even be sorted out in the two months youd be wanting it anyway.

Your best looking at the direct.gov website theres loads of info on there. I know for sure you can have nhs delivery though x

I believe you'll have to pay for nhs care unless you're a uk tax payer.

Also, I don't think you will qualify for stat mat pay or mat allowance, as you new to have been working here for a certain number of weeks before your due date.

The maternity pay will be based on Australian rules/law.

You may have to pay towards NHS costs in the UK, as you are only hear temporarily. Will your DH have travel insurance and will this cover it? Should be paid for by his employer.

It seems Australia has an agreement with the uk you may not need to pay. Have a look here explains it www.whittington.nhs.uk/document.ashx?id=3227

Me if you read the section titled UK ex-pats of other EEA member states, Switzerland or another bilateral arrangement country it says it's only free if the need for treatment arises while here, so presumably pregnancy wouldn't be covered by this.

Lorna you will need to pay for your healthcare unless an emergency situation arises eg preterm labour. If you have private healthcare in Australia this may cover it, but otherwise you would be better off having your baby in Australia. You certainly wouldn't be entitled to any maternity pay from the UK as you're not a UK resident, I don't entirely understand your logic as to why you feel you would get anything

Thanks so much everyone - really helpful!

Rockchick - sorry if I confused... I was meaning Australian gov maternity pay!.. totally understand that I wouldnt be eligiable for UK payment, but wanted to check if I still get Aussie gov support seeing as I wont be in the country for first two months of the babys life.

mummytime - good idea investigating if my husbands company will help pay towards travel insurance, as the only reason I am heading over is due to his relocation for the summer months!

Thanks again.. really appreciate the guidance and help.

Ah, makes sense now :)