Flying to give birth in london - a couple of quick questions pls!

For all the ladies who went home to give birth, what about your husband/baby's father? Did he come for the birth? Could he take that much time off work, assuming he works here? I would love to give birth in my home country but there's no way my husband can be out of the country for several months (even though he could work from abroad) and I just can't imagine giving birth/the first few weeks with the baby without him there. How did you solve that? My husband was very lucky to have leave at short notice. It was kind of a case of my wife's in labour, I'm off back home. He didn't book any leave from work before hand as impossible to say when I would go into labour but his work knew he would be taking leave around then. I went into labour early and called my husband in the middle of the night to let him know but he couldn't get a flight that day. He flew in, in the early hours of the following day. Even if he had got a flight on the day I went into labour he would have missed the birth - 4 hours from start to finish. He arrived after we were home and had some sleep. The good thing was he had 3 whole weeks with us before coming back to Dubai. I think it's impossible to guarantee anything with going home to give birth but good luck

Hi I flew home to have both my boys in uk. You need to book appt with your GP as soon as you get home because the midwifery services are all arranged through your GP ( including postnatal visits etc) if you turned up at an A&E in labour they wouldn't turn you away but a few more questions may well be asked! If you are staying with family just book an appointment to register with their GP. They will refer you to the hospital. I flew home on a Sunday, saw my GP Monday and was in the hospital Wednesday for check up. Son born following Sunday. health visitor, midwife etc automatically arranged from there. I didn't pay cos I was still registered with my GP. Second one was a bit different. he was premature and needed to stay one month in SCBU. at one point I had patient liaison services investigating me as they said I had been out of the country more than 90 days and so wasn't entitled to NHS care ( thanks to Gordon Brown who shortened the time you could be out the country) His neonatal bed was costing £2500 per day so imagine my bill! Anyway, the care is excellent and my baby was my priority but they ended up not charging me...I had actually been back a fair bit part living here and there over the years. if you have an address in the UK you will be fine. If not then my best advice is to register with the GP of whoever you are staying with and tell them you have moved back to the UK.....you might get away with it! As for what to bring back, don't bother with wipes etc, you can get it all in Boots cheaply here. I'd recommend bringing back METANIUM nappy cream....best cream ever and can't get it here, also some doublebase moisturiser in case baby has dry skin.... If its your first baby then your labour is unlikely to be quick. My husband stayed here in dubai (his office knew he would be leaving at short notice) I started early labour and called him and he arrived at the hospital 3 hours before I gave birth..... I was in London and there are flights almost every hour from Dubai ( emirates BA Virgin etc) obviously you are taking a huge risk but it worked for us!) he also got fast tracked through gatwick airport as cabin crew on flight called ahead for us! Good luck <em>edited by CJGH on 09/06/2012</em>

Hi Daisy92, Maybe you could answer some questions for me? How does it work when you no longer live in the uk? How long have you been out of the uk and are you stilll registered with a doctor at home? My biggest fear is turning up and having alot of stress or problems to deal with, i have been out of the uk for around 8 years, i still have a uk address but no doctor? Did you see a doctor before the birth or go straight to the hospital. Ps congratulations on the new arrival :-)

Hi, I have flown back for the birth of both my children. With my DD she arrived on time so my husband had a full two weeks with her before heading back to work in Dubai. I followed 4 weeks later which was fine. I had established some kind of routine and had loads of help from family. It went so well that when it came to having the next one I decided to fly home again. I flew at 35 weeks but felt really stressed because I thought baby was coming early. How wrong was I. DH flew over a week before my due date and then we all sat around for 3 weeks as baby didn't want to come out. The NHS let you go 12 days past your due date. I was due to be induced on my 12 day while DH was still here but the delivery suite got so busy I was sent home. DH had to fly back the next day as he had to get back to work and couldnt extend his stay any longer. I went into labour the day he left so he missed the birth. I then had to wait a week to register him and get birth certificate to apply for the passport. 4 weeks on and we are STILL waiting for the passport and daddy still hasn't met his son. I cant fault the NHS. All the midwives have been brilliant and the aftercare you get from the NHS is really good. If anything it's good to know your doing things right. They give you so much info it's so good. With regards to baby items. I agree with what others have said. It's definetly worth buying big things like prams etc here but I wouldn't bother with nappies and wipes as it is only a small saving. I'm sure whatever you decided will be right for you. Good luck!!

For all the ladies who went home to give birth, what about your husband/baby's father? Did he come for the birth? Could he take that much time off work, assuming he works here? I would love to give birth in my home country but there's no way my husband can be out of the country for several months (even though he could work from abroad) and I just can't imagine giving birth/the first few weeks with the baby without him there. How did you solve that?

The latest figures show the average birth costs around £1200 in the UK. Bargain :)

I flew home very early at 29 weeks and am glad I did. I was living with parents in the UK when I went home and there was so much to organise as I planned on staying until my LO was 3 months. I was a few weeks early too! The latest figures show the average birth costs around £1200 in the UK.

The only thing they will do is make you pay. It sounds like either way you're going to pay so if the UK makes you more comfortable then I would go with that. Any idea how much it costs to deliver in the uk? Just being nosey (lol).

I'm going to bring wipes and nappies because it won't cost us anymore with the shipping package. Stocking up on Neil's Yard Organics Nappy Cream My son has eczema so will bring his special Green Company suncream. Someone suggested carseats/nappy bags/pushchairs/baby monitors are better priced/quality in the UK.

I think you have better options in the UAE than we do in Doha but little things I bring back from NZ are organic baby shampoo, olive oil based ecostore nappy rash cream, baby paracetamol and other medicines and infant gaviscon (if your baby isn't a refluxer you can easily find someone to take it off your hands). I buy these not because they are cheaper but because I can not get them at all in Doha. If you are into things with natural ingredients vs 47 letter long chemical names (like most of the J&J range) and medications that do not have artificial colours and artificial sweeteners added then you will probably have better luck in the UK. I also have bought things like the airwrap cot bumpers and safe-t-sleep sleepbelt which are very lightweight to bring in your luggage and a white noise machine. Maybe also try and book in advance with an LC for a good lactation class before the birth and follow-up after the birth if you plan to breastfeed. If you buy a carseat buy a couple of sumer covers and any other accessories for your pram.

I can't believe you got sacked for being pregnant!! Anyways, that aside, to answer your question I highly doubt that any GP/hopsital in the UK is going to turn you away if you just show up pregnant. The only thing they will do is make you pay. It sounds like either way you're going to pay so if the UK makes you more comfortable then I would go with that.

Hi ladies im 27 weeks pregnant lost my job at 20 weeks (well got sacked for being pregnant) and now have no health insurance. i cant decide if i want to stay here and pay or go back, i don’t mind paying for the birth but what if something goes wrong. people keep telling me i wont be able to give birth in the uk because im not registered with a doctor? does anyone know how this works? Can i just fly in and give birth?? Thanks

I flew back at 35/36 weeks for both of my pregnancies. Absolutely no problems at all. I think as long as your pregnancy has been straightforward and your doctor is happy to give you a note (dated within one weeks of travel) then you don't have any issues. Trust me the doctor would refuse to sign the travel note if they thought there was even a one percent risk, apparently they get held liable if something goes wrong (not sure how accurate that is though!). About what to buy, my personal recommendation is don't buy anything for your baby from Dubai and take it with you. Anything that you need for the first few months just buy them from the UK whilst you're there (so clothes, pushchair, moses basket, bottles, breat pump, etc). Having said that I wouldn't bother to buy things like wipes and toiletries and bring them back. Yes they are cheaper in the UK, but when you're travelling back you don't want to have to worry about excessive luggage as well as a newborn baby. Some things aren't worth the hassle in bringing back, but it really depends on you.

Hi mols, I'll also be going to the UK at 35 weeks to give birth, I don't think there's any problem unless your doctor is worried, ask your doctor too to make sure. I would buy a lot of things in London such as clothes, pram, changing bag etc, things that I can carry back hehehe

1. how late did you leave it to fly back? Im thinking week 35 - i know EK allows you up til week 36 - but am i leaving it too late? (woudl rather go as late as possible because im working...) 2. Any must buys in london which work out significantly cheaper than here (apart from pram and carseat) Many thanks ! Clothing Toiletries Baby wipes Toys Personally i find most products in UK supermarkets cheaper than here!