Giving Birth in the U.S.: Is It Really That Scary?

Many expectant parents decide against giving birth abroad due to concerns.

There are countless concerns—whether it’s the fear of flying late in pregnancy or the husband’s inability to accompany his beloved throughout the entire trip to the U.S. Work, responsibilities, business. We understand. But is everything really as scary and insurmountable as we’ve come to believe? Let’s take a closer look.

First, assess your capabilities (not financial ones), specifically your language proficiency and visa status. If your English isn’t as strong as you’d like, and your passport still has plenty of space for new visa stamps, we recommend considering a trusted partner and reliable assistant. Although there are quite a few companies on the market, approach the choice of the right one with the utmost responsibility. The following depends on it:

– Your money! We won’t go into details; you understand.

– Transparency and, as a result, the opportunity to save—not everyone can be persuaded to offer a service package tailored specifically to your needs!

– Your time! – You still have a lot to do, so save your time. You’ll need it.

– Your peace of mind! – What do you want to be thinking about in the days leading up to the birth? That’s right—the birth itself, a healthy baby, and meeting your little one… and a vacation in Miami! That’s it! The rest isn’t your concern!

When choosing a company, we recommend paying attention to the following factors:

list of services, the existence and quality of the website, social media activity, the quality and relevance of the information on the website, contact information (in the US, Ukraine, and Russia), and phone numbers (give them a call—it’s not difficult, but it’s important). The company’s registration in the US is another guarantee of peace of mind. So, the company is legitimate, not a fly-by-night operation, and operates officially within the U.S. Pay special attention to this last point.

Very often, companies providing services for organizing and supporting childbirth in the U.S. are represented by a website and a list of mobile phone numbers in their contacts. But if the company is represented by a specific person, that’s your super bonus! Let us explain why. You can verify information about this person and the company’s legitimacy on social media; Facebook is particularly well-suited for this purpose. A personal profile can provide a wealth of useful information about the person—their location, interests, number of friends, etc.—and help you decide whether it’s worth working with their company. If the personal profile has been active for a long time, that’s an added bonus.

As we’ve seen, the ability to link the company to a specific person is an additional argument in favor of the company’s reliability.

The list of services is something you need to pay special attention to.

The main services, of course, should be those that support you in a foreign country. This includes consulting on preparing all necessary documents for a visa, selecting a doctor and clinic, insurance matters, direct support from a personal manager throughout the prenatal, delivery, and postnatal periods, processing the paperwork for the newborn, settling all financial accounts with the clinic and doctor, and, if necessary, and often with basic everyday matters. Different country—different rules. Is renting a place really that scary?

• It’s a plus if the company helps you find and rent a place.

Many people don’t realize that the rental system in the U.S. differs significantly from that in Russia or Ukraine. It’s pointless to hope you’ll be able to figure this out after you arrive. Keep in mind that you’ll likely need to rent for a short-term lease (in the U.S., a lease of up to 6 months is considered short-term). Not everyone is willing to rent out their place for just a couple of months. Additionally, to rent out an apartment, you’ll need approval from the homeowners’ association. Therefore, you should start looking for a place to rent while you’re still at home. Given the cost of rent in the U.S. and the requirement to pay one month’s rent in advance (the so-called security deposit), searching for a realtor remotely in a foreign country is a very tedious process. Very often, companies that organize and support childbirth in the U.S. offer this service. It will be easier and more reassuring for you to receive the full range of services “under one roof.”

Anna, CFO: “We decided to seek help in finding housing from the company through which we selected our doctors. Since we planned to stay in Miami for more than two months, we really wanted the apartment to be not too far from the beaches and the ocean. All our wishes (and even more!) were taken into account. A big thank you to them! It was an unforgettable vacation and experience!”

You can also select housing options that interest you on your own, and the assistance company will handle all related matters. However, not all companies offer this service.

Inna, QA tester at an outsourcing company: “My husband and I decided to find a place to stay on our own, but when we narrowed it down to two options, we asked a manager at a maternity care company to go and take photos of the apartments we’d chosen and clarify some details. Thanks to having “eyes” on the ground, we were completely confident that when we arrived, the very best and most suitable apartments would be waiting for us! Thank you for your help!

Sometimes a couple cannot travel together for the entire duration of their stay in the U.S. It is best to plan the flight before 35–36 weeks of pregnancy. After this period, the airline may refuse to let you board. It will be better for the baby and the mother if the return home also takes place no earlier than one month after giving birth. Thus, on average, you need to stay in the U.S. for 2, or preferably 3 months (note: a tourist visa allows you to stay in the U.S. for up to 6 months). Of course, not everyone can take time off from work for such a long period, and some may be hesitant to let their loved one travel alone to a foreign, unfamiliar country. It’s perfectly normal for the expectant mother to fly to the U.S. on her own, with the father arriving a little later, closer to the due date. There’s no need to worry about this. After all, the support company will meet you, take you to your address, bring everything you need, drive you to your doctor’s appointment, and, if you wish, even organize a personal shopping tour. In short, the expectant mother definitely won’t be bored! When choosing a company, pay attention to the level of support they guarantee. If it’s 24/7, there’s no need to worry. You can always reach out for help and advice on any issue.

Christina, director and founder of a beauty salon, 36 years old, gave birth to a daughter in Miami: “When I found out I was pregnant, my happiness knew no bounds! I decided to give my child the very best, so I immediately decided to give birth abroad. My desire to return to Miami and enjoy a vacation helped me choose this sunny paradise! Since I don’t have a husband and only ran a business in Moscow, I found a suitable replacement at work, prepared all the necessary documents, and left for six months. Traveling alone isn’t scary! The company’s managers were in touch with me 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. I could reach out to them with any question at any time. This was a huge help to me because, essentially, I was alone with my child in a foreign country. By the way, thanks to the managers, I met other expectant mothers (who were also clients of this childbirth planning company). So the time leading up to the birth flew by unnoticed and in the wonderful company of these women. Even though we’re from different cities (and even countries!), we still keep in touch! We always have something to talk about or ask for advice on, since our kids are the same age. And you know, it was so wonderful to meet my little one! It’s a great joy to be a mom, and it doesn’t matter when that joy finds you.”

The main thing is to discuss such scenarios with a company that organizes and supports childbirth in the U.S. in advance.

Nothing is impossible! It’s important not to give up on your goals and dreams!

After reading this article, is giving birth in the U.S. really that scary?