Decision~ Have baby in UK or US

Hello,

I know that I have some time before my family and I come over in Jan 06 but this is something that I have thought about and would like some feedback.  We currently have a 5 year old who will be 6 in Nov and my husband and I have talked about trying for another but not until we move to the UK and I start my new job maybe towards the end of our first year there and I was wondering if anyone has had a child in the UK and then returned to the states or should we wait until we move back to the UK?  How is the healthcare as compared to US?
Any advice or experiences are greatly appreciated.

Sheila

The system in the UK is very different and takes some getting used to. Your care woud be led by a midwife, which I loved. As with any system you'll have good and bad stories - I think the most important thing is to do your research and know a bit about what to expect before going in. There are a few older threads in this board about the differences in UK to US births, a quick search might find them. In the UK they take a much more hands-off approach, they aren't as paranoid as the US system - which can be good and it can be bad. Everything is free in the UK, and after the birth a system in in place (through Health Visitors) for medical support.

Thanks for the info, I will definately do some research, just wanted other peoples experiences whether good or bad and if I should wait or go ahead with the plan while in the UK.

Sheila

I personally had a really bad experience, but in all honesty it was the people treating me rather than the system. While the two systems are very different, I wouldn't put off a baby (personally) just to have it in the US. You may end up loving the UK system, especially with a 2nd child.

If you wait until you are here and working, you will get better maternity benefits than in the U.S!

jc

But keep in mind that, unlike in the US, if you conceive shortly after beginning a new job, the employer is NOT obligated to pay your maternity leave.  You must have been working with your employer for 26 weeks by the 15th week before your baby is due.  You can still claim Statutory Maternity Pay at £108/week, but this may be far less than a full-time (or 80% of your) wage/salary.  Also keep in mind that probation periods vary in the UK - many are 6 months.  And an employer can terminate you for any reason during that time.  Not pleasant to have to think of these things, but practical issues nonetheless. 

Also, the NHS is not 'free', you pay for it out of your earnings. 

Thanks for the good advice, I would probably be at my employer almost a year prior to even starting to try to have another child so that should take care of some time frames.  I will be over there on a 2 yr contract with Croydon Council.  I just need some input on what to expect if that is what we decided to do.  I really didn't want to have to put it off until we returned to the states because that would make me 33 when we returned, not that is not an ok age to have a child but then that could possibly put me at 34 or 35.  Anyone else with having a baby in the UK and in the US please feel free to chime in and tell me your experiences, good and bad.

sheila

Thanks for the good advice, I would probably be at my employer almost a year prior to even starting to try to have another child so that should take care of some time frames.  I will be over there on a 2 yr contract with Croydon Council.  I just need some input on what to expect if that is what we decided to do.  I really didn't want to have to put it off until we returned to the states because that would make me 33 when we returned, not that is not an ok age to have a child but then that could possibly put me at 34 or 35.  Anyone else with having a baby in the UK and in the US please feel free to chime in and tell me your experiences, good and bad.

sheila

I'm 34 and pregnant with my second - I'll not be long off 35 when I give birth to this one.  Lots of the ladies on this board have had babies in their mid and late 30s no bother. 

Another thing to consider if you're on a two-year contract, I don't know about your employer, but mine requires me to go back to work for them for a minimum of 3 months after returning from maternity.  Or I'll have to pay them back all the monies.  Check your contract very thoroughly.

expat,

thanks for the advice, I will definately look at my contract very closely.  What type of work do you do?  How long have you been in the UK?  I hope that I did not offend anyone about the age thing in my earlier post.  It was just something that I said that I wanted was to be through having children by 30 (personal reasons) but since I will be 30 in September, well that will not happen now.  My mother had me when she was 35.  I just was looking into my options and time frames thats all.  Thanks again for the feedback and please keep posting with information.

Sheila

I work for a university.  I'm here for good - my husband is a Scotsman and our daughter was born here. 

I definitely don't have the same energy levels I had at 30, but it's definitely doable at 34!   

Just make sure you check the fine print so it's one less worry if you do decide to have a child here.

Some useful info on maternity leave/apy in this thread

http://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?topic=13390.0

As for the age thing, I was knocking on 37 when I had my first baby last year and while I am always knackered, it is no more knackered than I was before I was pregnant when I was having late nights out all the time. 

Hi--noticed you're an Aggie--I'm married to one.  Just wanted to mention that first. 

Anyway, I have lived in the UK for almost a year and I'm 35 weeks pregnant.  I've chosen to go with a private birth centre rather than with the national health system care.  It is much more personal and the midwives even visit me at home--a lot of the cost is covered by our insurance.  I had my first son 5 weeks before moving overseas (we were moving to Holland at that time) and I wouldn't repeat that experience--much better to just go for it in a new country than to travel so soon after birth.

Lainie