Coming to UK to give birth then going back to US?

Not to mention that if you have resided outside of the UK for a serious length of time, the NHS could possibly charge you for their services - as they have done with Brits who move to Spain and then return to the UK merely for medical purposes, because they feel as they've paid into the NHS, they should still get to use it even though they no longer live in the UK.

I'm not saying I take a side in it - I'm just stating that this is what's going on right now here.  But if you're going to use a private centre anyway, this may not be a problem.

Personally, I would rather stick with the same OB/GP/midwife throughout my pregnancy through to birth - but that's just my personal feeling on it.  My mother switched OB's 2 months before I was born because the one she started with wouldn't let my father be present at the birth (this was the late 1960s).  So, at 8 months pregnant (I was a month late!) she found one who would.  And she was fine with that.

Also, as YOU are a UK national who was born in the UK, you can pass on British nationality to your child even it's born in the US.  Your child would be a dual citizen regardless of being born in the US.  You would just get him/her a British passport from the nearest British Consulate or Embassy.

You shouldn't have any problem registering with a GP etc, although some surgeries seem to get confused if you don't know your NHS number.  You can find out your NHS number from the local health authority where you last lived if need be.

Definitely food for thought. I wouldn't want to endanger my or my baby's health by flying. Hmmm. And I also wondered how the NHS would take it since I haven't lived in England for many years.
It is good to know that my child would be dual nationality if I gave birth here in the states.
I'll definitely have to see what happens closer to the due date.
Thanks everyone,
Belinda

Perhaps you could find somewhere near to where you live that would provide more holistic care? I'm not sure where you are - but when I lived in MIchigan there was a birthing center there, and that's where I'd have chosen to go. It was midwife run, but they had an OB on hand at all times in case there was a complication, and they were located adjacent to the hospital in case of other emergencies. It is possible (though hard to find sometimes) to find a more English-type birthing and pre-natal experience in America. I, personally, would be wary of flying just to give birth in another country. My mind and emotions and body were so work out and over-worked from the whole process, that the additional complications of flying and paperwork and moving etc would hjave made me go mad. I'd want more stability. Again, that is my own personal opinion.

Also - and I'm not trying to be a sourpuss or anything - but there may be complications with the birth or the baby. I had some major complications after giving birth to Philip, and if I had to turn around and fly back to the US while going through a whole medical drama... well I don't think things would have turned out very well.

Wishing you all the luck in the world....