Therese Nyström, 43, and her Austrian partner Max moved from Therese's native Finland to the 7th arrondissement of Paris in 2022. Their son, Luca, was born in Paris in April 2024.
When I got pregnant in July 2023, I managed to find an English-speaking gynaecologist, which made things much easier because I don't speak perfect French.
I am not in the French health system or the French social security system because I have private health insurance through my work. I am an investment banker.
Because I went private, and it was my first pregnancy and I am over 40, I did every test available to make sure that everything would be okay.
Therese, Max and baby LucaTherese Nyström
France is a fantastic place to have a baby. The doctor was very supportive, and very clear what I should do.
I had three blood tests each month from the first month all the way to the end. I also had lots of ultrasound scans.
My pregnancy went so well that I only went on maternity leave a fortnight before the due date.
I opted to give birth in the American Hospital in Paris. Everyone speaks English there, and it was a great experience.
It was a natural birth, although we had scheduled a C-section for April 17. However, my waters broke the day before, so we went to the hospital where the doctor gave me the choice of having an immediate C-section, one the next day or to just see how it went.
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They did not push me to make a decision either one way or the other.
I had been scared of a natural birth, and scared of being induced, but in the end we opted for a natural birth and it was fine. I had an epidural quite late in the labour – about 10 hours after my waters broke. Luca was 3.28kg (7lbs) at birth.
During our time in the hospital we had our own room, and Max was able to stay overnight. We stayed for four nights in total.
There was a great support system for what to do with the baby, because like all new parents we had a lot to learn.
I opted to breastfeed but in the end I used a pump and gave my milk by bottle until Luca was five months, adding a bit of formula when needed.
As with the choice of delivery, I feel that in the hospital they did not pressure me to choose one way or another – they just wanted the baby to be fed.
I took 26 weeks of maternity leave after my baby was born.
Having a baby in France
Women can choose to have their pregnancy monitored by a midwife, a GP, or a gynaecologist. The first check-up appointment is made before the end of the third month, in order to confirm the pregnancy and set a due date.
Most women then have one appointment per month, to monitor progress. If there are any concerns, additional appointments will be made.
For women with a carte Vitale, these appointments are free, as is the actual birth itself.
Three ultrasound scans are normally carried out, one before the end of the third month, one in the fifth month (at which the baby's gender can be revealed if the parents wish) and one in the eight month.
Couples are invited to seven workshop sessions, to prepare for the birth, which are about taking the baby home, looking after a newborn infant, and bringing up a child.
An 'assistant social' can help expecting couples claim benefits, get financial advice, and find counselling as necessary.
La prime de naissance, allocated in the seventh month of pregnancy is worth €1,066.31 and most families are eligible. See tinyurl.com/naissance-aide.
The classic French guidebook, updated annually, is J’attends un enfant by Laurence Pernoud.
