US Citizens having a baby in Vancouver

[duckerito]

Hi All,

My husband and I are both US citizens living in Seattle. My husband works at Microsoft and routinely visits Microsoft Vancouver Campus for work since he works closely with a team there. He spends 3-4 months out of the year there. I just found out that I am pregnant and we also found out that husband will need to be in Vancouver for most of the 3rd trimester and my expected due date/month. I am considering giving birth there so that he is with me (I am originally from France and have 0 support here except hubby). My questions are:

1. Is it even legal to do so?

2. How much should I expect to pay at a birth center with a midwife?

3. Any issues at the border if I try to enter while visibly pregnant? I don't need a tourist visa and I have driven to Vancouver 15+times without any issue.

Other considerations:

1. I am not citizenship shopping. Like I said before, our child will get both US and French citizenships.

2. My insurance will reimburse me fully, but an idea of upfront costs will help. I will call birth centers this week, but just wondering what to expect.

3. I am willing to travel for pre-natal appointments too. My husband will need to go in a lot this year for a major project and I plan on going with him and staying in his corporate apartment.

Thank you all for your help!

 

[canadianwoman]

It is perfectly legal to do this. The child will in addition be a Canadian citizen from birth. People on the forum who have had a child in Canada before they got their PRs have said it could cost around $10,000 Canadian, and much more if something goes wrong. Entering Canada should not be a problem, especially since it sounds like you will be entering before the final month. In case the border agent questions you, you should have proof of ties to the USA with you. Appointments for prenatal care should not even cost much, though will of course vary. I think seeing my doctor without provincial health coverage costs $40 a visit.

 

[duckerito]

It is perfectly legal to do this. The child will in addition be a Canadian citizen from birth. People on the forum who have had a child in Canada before they got their PRs have said it could cost around $10,000 Canadian, and much more if something goes wrong. Entering Canada should not be a problem, especially since it sounds like you will be entering before the final month. In case the border agent questions you, you should have proof of ties to the USA with you. Appointments for prenatal care should not even cost much, though will of course vary. I think seeing my doctor without provincial health coverage costs $40 a visit.

Thank you very much for your response.

 

[canuck_in_uk]

3. Any issues at the border if I try to enter while visibly pregnant? I don't need a tourist visa and I have driven to Vancouver 15+times without any issue.


2. My insurance will reimburse me fully, but an idea of upfront costs will help. I will call birth centers this week, but just wondering what to expect.

3. Yes, you could have issues trying to enter Canada as a visitor while visibly pregnant. You should carry some serious proof of funds to show that you can pay for the birth.


2. Be very certain that your insurance will reimburse you for an international birth, especially if there are complications. You also need to ensure that any potential costs for the newborn would be covered. It is generally NICU costs that make birth costs skyrocket. To give you an example, a couple from Australia had a one million dollar hospital bill when their baby was born prematurely in BC and 5heir insurance wouldn't cover it.


What type of work permit does your husband hold?

 

[Rob_TO]

1. Is it even legal to do so?

Yes, there are no legal issues involved.

2. How much should I expect to pay at a birth center with a midwife?

You will be arriving already in your third trimester, so it may be a challenge to find a midwife/OB willing to take you on as a patient. Most will be fully booked for your due date already.

Assuming you do the birth in a hospital, you can expect anywhere around $5K and up for a very simple delivery. Of course if there are complications or extended stay required, this amount may increase significantly.

Also keep in mind the baby will be Canadian, but since you don't intend to make BC your permanent home after the delivery there's a chance the baby will not meet the residency requirement for healthcare so will not have coverage upon birth. So if there are any complications with the baby after delivery, this may also all be charged to you.

There was a case a few years ago where this happened to an Australian couple visiting BC, and the bill came to $1 Million. They are now paying back the hospital for the rest of their life.

3. Any issues at the border if I try to enter while visibly pregnant? I don't need a tourist visa and I have driven to Vancouver 15+times without any issue.

Probably not. They may want to check you have suitable funds or insurance to cover the delivery.

2. My insurance will reimburse me fully, but an idea of upfront costs will help. I will call birth centers this week, but just wondering what to expect.

Are you sure about this?? Pregnancy is considered a pre-existing condition, so most policies will not cover this if you voluntarily decide to travel while pregnant. Also most insurance policies will only cover stays in other countries up to a certain number of days.

You should call your insurance company, explain what you're intending to do, and ask specifically if they will cover you and your newborn. You don't want to be surprised at the end of this.

 

[duckerito]

3. Yes, you could have issues trying to enter Canada as a visitor while visibly pregnant. You should carry some serious proof of funds to show that you can pay for the birth.


2. Be very certain that your insurance will reimburse you for an international birth, especially if there are complications. You also need to ensure that any potential costs for the newborn would be covered. It is generally NICU costs that make birth costs skyrocket. To give you an example, a couple from Australia had a one million dollar hospital bill when their baby was born prematurely in BC and 5heir insurance wouldn't cover it.


What type of work permit does your husband hold?

I will plan on carrying at least $10k, possibly more as funds. We are very fortunate that Microsoft pays very well.

My husband does not hold any work permit in Canada. He is a US citizen and allowed to visit Canada for business for upto 3 months at a time as part of the Visa Waiver Program. He simply crosses the border whenever needed.

According to the Microsoft insurance rep, they will reimburse us, but I will confirm and get it in writing. Thanks!

 

[duckerito]

Yes, there are no legal issues involved.

You will be arriving already in your third trimester, so it may be a challenge to find a midwife/OB willing to take you on as a patient. Most will be fully booked for your due date already.

Assuming you do the birth in a hospital, you can expect anywhere around $5K and up for a very simple delivery. Of course if there are complications or extended stay required, this amount may increase significantly.

Also keep in mind the baby will be Canadian, but since you don't intend to make BC your permanent home after the delivery there's a chance the baby will not meet the residency requirement for healthcare so will not have coverage upon birth. So if there are any complications with the baby after delivery, this may also all be charged to you.

There was a case a few years ago where this happened to an Australian couple visiting BC, and the bill came to $1 Million. They are now paying back the hospital for the rest of their life.

Probably not. They may want to check you have suitable funds or insurance to cover the delivery.


Are you sure about this?? Pregnancy is considered a pre-existing condition, so most policies will not cover this if you voluntarily decide to travel while pregnant. Also most insurance policies will only cover stays in other countries up to a certain number of days.

You should call your insurance company, explain what you're intending to do, and ask specifically if they will cover you and your newborn. You don't want to be surprised at the end of this.

I am only 7 weeks pregnant and willing to drive up as needed for pre-natal visits.

Yes, the Microsoft insurance plan will reimburse fully. I called them today. However, I will get that in writing. The plan offered by Microsoft is very generous and covers literally every condition - even pre-existing conditions.

 

[canuck_in_uk]

According to the Microsoft insurance rep, they will reimburse us, but I will confirm and get it in writing. Thanks!

Make sure that it specifies not just the birth but any and all costs for the child as well. As I said, it is the NICU costs that really make the bill skyrocket.

 

[ec6863]

Hi All,

My husband and I are both US citizens living in Seattle. My husband works at Microsoft and routinely visits Microsoft Vancouver Campus for work since he works closely with a team there. He spends 3-4 months out of the year there. I just found out that I am pregnant and we also found out that husband will need to be in Vancouver for most of the 3rd trimester and my expected due date/month. I am considering giving birth there so that he is with me (I am originally from France and have 0 support here except hubby). My questions are:

1. Is it even legal to do so?

2. How much should I expect to pay at a birth center with a midwife?

3. Any issues at the border if I try to enter while visibly pregnant? I don't need a tourist visa and I have driven to Vancouver 15+times without any issue.

Other considerations:

1. I am not citizenship shopping. Like I said before, our child will get both US and French citizenships.

2. My insurance will reimburse me fully, but an idea of upfront costs will help. I will call birth centers this week, but just wondering what to expect.

3. I am willing to travel for pre-natal appointments too. My husband will need to go in a lot this year for a major project and I plan on going with him and staying in his corporate apartment.

Thank you all for your help!

Can you tell me how it all went? My wife and I are in an EXTREMELY SIMILAR situation, she is also American / French (though she was born in the US) and I am working a lot in Vancouver and theres a good chance we will give birth there. Id love to learn more about your experience.

Also Congrats!