Pregnancy and childbirth in Türkiye
The journey of parenthood is an exhilarating adventure filled with joy, anticipation, and a fair share of planning, no matter where in the world you are. In Türkiye, the experience of expecting a baby carries its unique nuances, blending cultural richness with modern healthcare practices. Navigating pregnancy in a new country can be both thrilling and daunting, as it involves making several key decisions in a timely manner.
If you are wondering about your rights and the related regulations for having a baby in Türkiye as an expat, then read on. This article will shed light on the current healthcare system, birth-related costs, and insurance plans while being pregnant as an expat in Türkiye.
The Turkish healthcare system for pregnant women
The first step in planning the birth of your baby in Türkiye is selecting the right hospital for your needs. You get two options: private or public hospitals. As is the case in most countries, private hospitals cost more than public ones, but the general quality improves significantly.
Public hospitals provide this service free of charge if the mother has no health insurance or social security. Keep in mind that you can select your personal doctor from any clinic or hospital to take care of you and your baby after the birth, regardless of the hospital type you chose initially.
Most hospitals provide prenatal care, and it is crucial for the health of the newborn baby. Once the pregnancy is confirmed, you must monitor the baby's health. Doctors usually perform blood and urine tests to see if the baby has any genetic issues. Risk levels are calculated, and the mother is informed about the well-being of the baby during the whole pregnancy period. Other medical examinations include various tests for diabetes, Hepatitis B, HIV, blood glucose, blood count, rubella, and more.
You can have a natural or C-section birth in Türkiye, but you must consult your doctor first. In 2012, a new “Caesarean Law” rule was implemented to prevent unnecessary C-section operations. According to this law, doctors who provide an excessive number of cesarean births would be inspected. However, C-section is still the most used method in the country. Indeed, Türkiye has the highest C-section rates among all the OECD countries.
The cost of having a baby in Türkiye
It is always a good idea to have international health insurance during pregnancy and after the birth. This will allow you to have your baby in private hospitals in Türkiye at reduced or no cost at all. Since the Turkish Lira tends to fluctuate heavily against the US dollar and euro, it is best to provide the average hospital fees in foreign currency so that the expats have a better idea.
Generally, it costs around USD 300 to give birth via C-section at public hospitals. Unlike private ones, natural birth is a free service at these state hospitals. If you opt to have the birth at a private hospital with a C-section, then expect a price range between USD 1,500 to USD 5,000, depending on the location. Note that having extra services might increase the fees at private hospitals.
Insurance for pregnancy in Türkiye
You must check with your insurance provider to see if there is an agreement in place with the hospital you plan to have the birth. If they have an agreement, then the next step would be to check if it has partial or full coverage for the fees. Just contact the front desk of the hospital and provide the name of your insurance company.
The original insurance will cover the baby for the first 30 days after birth. You need to get new health insurance for the baby beyond this period.
Remember, if you have social security from SGK as a foreign citizen, you can give birth at public hospitals free of charge without the need for any additional private insurance plans.
Finding an OBGYN in Türkiye
Word of mouth is the best method to find the best obstetricians and gynecologists in Türkiye. Being an expat limits your options a bit since you do not usually have any close relatives among the locals.
However, you can still check on doctor review websites like Bookimed to find the best doctor in your area. You can also chat with the obstetricians online through these web pages and review the doctors on your own.
Postnatal care in Türkiye
Postnatal care in Türkiye is not very different from that in most Western countries. The main goal here is to keep the baby and the mother healthy, and this involves various medical examinations. It starts right after birth.
You should know that vaccinations are required for the newborn baby and the mother. The first one is applied to the baby within 48 hours of birth, and it is given as protection against Hepatitis B. Other vaccines follow when your baby gets three months old. They are mainly a defense against tetanus, tuberculosis, oral polio, diphtheria, and some other diseases.
Registering the birth of a newborn in Türkiye
Keep in mind that you need to register the birth of your newborn baby. This process is usually managed by the father at the local Population Registry Office. You will need to provide the residency status of the parents and the marriage certificate. Alternatively, you can also register the birth of your child at the embassy of your country. Regardless of your nationality, every child born in Türkiye can become a Turkish citizen by birth.
Good to know:
In recent years, a new celebration trend called “Doğum Odası Süsleme” started to become popular in Türkiye, which is basically turning the hospital room into a party house with chocolate, candies, cakes, balloons, Turkish sherbet (sweetened fruit juice syrup), vases, flowers, and many other decorations including small gifts for your visitors at the hospital. The mother's hospital bed is decorated either in blue or pink, depending on the gender of the newborn baby. Most hospitals provide you with hairdressers, gift planners, and photographers for this purpose.
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