Salam all,
did anyone of you travel to US or canada to have your baby… what month did you guys travel in, how did you prepare yourself for it… Did you have natural childbirth or c-section and so on…
Pls share any and all information that you think helped you or anyone else you know who has gone through this.
Also what kind of support services are available for someone who has health insurance for canada but no family to help them out if they come for delivery…
Re: Travelling to US or Canada...
err, why won't you have the baby where you live, why travel TO US or Canada to have the baby? Is it just in an attempt to gain citizenship?
Re: Travelling to US or Canada...
I have personally known people who went to the US for the very same reason.
People do that for nationality of their child. Anywayz I don't have any experience so far.
aahmed,
We are canadian residents, we were supposed to settle in canada permanently in about a year and a half... but alhamdulillah with the baby now coming things need to be re-thought.
If we have the baby where we live, I can't take the baby with me to canada easily...we would have to go through a lot of trouble and with no idea how long we could be in that situation.... so the best option is to either have the baby in Canada or in the US...
Re: Travelling to US or Canada...
Automne77, if the both parents are Canadians, their kid would autimaically be a Canadian citizen because of his/her parents status. But If you want to travel to Canada regardless, then consult with your doctor, it should not be a big deal as long as the shifting happens before 7 months.
we are canadian residents...not canadian citizens... also would it be easy to find a midwife or a reliable doctor if I travel close to my 7th month... most ppl we know have grown up kids....how does one go about getting a reliable midwife or doctor ....
Re: Travelling to US or Canada...
I think you can find that out from any hospital in the city you wanna give birth.. but you better act fast since the apt can take upto months as far as I've heard. Just dial up the number and talk to the receptionist or any nurse to get more info.
Re: Travelling to US or Canada...
Airlines do not allow travel later in pregnancy so you may want to rethink you plan. I think you have to be 6 months or less.
Re: Travelling to US or Canada...
Check your airline you are travelling with. Each airline has different guidelines. I think the latest you can travel is into your 7th month. You will need a doctor's letter as well.
Also, your child will NOT automatically get Canadian citizenship if you are a Canadian. They changed all the laws a few years ago and have made getting citizenship extremely hard. Trust me, I looked into all of this which is why I was adament to have my son delivered here. (Plus all my family is here too and I also needed their support).
Mehnaz, I just did some research and children born to canadian permanent residents are eligible for canadian citizenship .... they would not be eligible if we were tourists..... in which case I wouldn't even be considering going to canada :)
Re: Travelling to US or Canada...
Have you already got a Canadian health insurance card? New permanent residents are not automatically eligiible for health insurance, there is a wait period of a 3 months.
Re: Travelling to US or Canada...
automn77, I meant if they are born outside of Canada, they won't automatically get Canadian citizenship if you are a Canadian.
yes I had stayed to get the health card....so I do have health insurance alhamdulillah ... now the thing that needs to be finalized is
*when to travel, how to set myself up in canada....and how to find a good midwife,/ doctor....
Yes, mehnaz you are right and if Canadian permanent residents have kids outside of canada then one of the parent needs to go to canada apply for a visa and this is somewhat of a lengthy process.... and given our current situation we are not comfortable with that so it makes more sense to have the baby in canada now inshAllah....
Thank you all....pls keep the advice coming ...
Re: Travelling to US or Canada…
^ it might be too late for a midwife depending on how far along you are. most get booked up really early and have waiting lists- the one i called when i was researching future options for myself told me to call her when the stick showed two lines, instead of one.
you can still try though- here are a few midwife associations you can call- Google
in terms of doctors and hospitals- Women’s College Hospital http://www.womenscollegehospital.ca
is very highly rated- several of my friends have had their kids there via C section and natural birth and all have had really good experiences.
they are downtown though- do you know where you will be staying? You will need to register at the closest hospital to you.
Also, avoid Scarborough General- I haven’t heard much good stuff about them.
so, first- figure out where you’ll be living. if downtown, call Women’s College. there is also St. Mike’s and Toronto General.
then call the hospital, explain you are moving to Canada soon and need a doctor, and make an appointment with one of their physicians. do this ASAP because appointments can also be hard to come by.
bring all of your medical records from your current doctor to the appointment so your Canadian doctor knows where you stand.
my doctor is very good too- she is one of the few currently accepting patients, so I’ll PM you her number. if the hospital’s physicians are not available, you can call her. she is located near the ROM, also downtown.
the other option also is North York General. a friend of mine came to canada to have her baby here too and she rented a furnished apartment at Yonge and Church in North York. its a pretty accessible, central area. Very Persian so there are halal restaurants and grocery stores in the area too.
Thanks sooo much sgc,
I lived in the York area, newmarket earlier with friends, but that was when I was without a baby .... I might be able to stay a few days with them this time till I either find myself a place or if they agree to me staying with them longer....
I am only 8 weeks along and of course the further I get I will know where I stand in terms of c-section or natural childbirth.
I plan on travelling possibly in my 6th month all going well inshAllah.... I am gonna call the midwives association of the york region and see if I can get in touch with someone while I am here who might be able to assist me once I get to canada...
once again thanks for all your help... really appreciate it