When we moved to France in April 2022, I hadn’t yet decided whether I would giving birth in France or return to the Netherlands. I wanted to first see and experience how midwifery care is provided in France. In the end, I chose to have the baby in France because my care and check‑ups were followed through to the very end—and it felt more peaceful.
My personal experience about Giving Birth in France and medical check-ups
1. Hospital Births in France
In France, nearly all births happen in hospitals. Home births are very rare because insurances would be prohibitively expensive for midwives to conduct them. Of course, exceptions occur if you go into labor so fast you can’t reach the hospital—though hospital staff often find it strange when you arrive that way. Personally, I preferred a hospital birth since it was still a 45‑minute drive. In case of emergencies, I didn’t want to be stuck with the baby’s head between my legs in a car for that long. Hospital births are very well-supported, as is the postpartum care.
2. Medical vs. Natural Birth
A hospital birth is by default medicalized, but I noticed a strong encouragement for natural birth. For instance, our baby was breech (a “stargazer”), not descending well into the pelvis. After eight hours, the midwives called in the doctor to see if he could rotate the baby. He advised trying several positions to encourage natural turning. If that failed, a C‑section would follow.
It made me feel safe to know the doctor would give us time to attempt a natural birth. His supportive motivation and relaxed atmosphere boosted my confidence and sense of security. Our baby half‑rotated on her own, making a natural delivery possible. I did ask for an epidural, as the pain was unbearable—an expected situation with a stargazer, which they referred to as a “dreamer.” During the pushing stage, the doctor used a vacuum pump to assist, but jokingly noted, “I’m doing almost nothing—you’re doing all the work”.
3. Prenatal Checkups
If you plan to give birth in France, you’ll look for a sage-femme (midwife). I opted for direct hospital care, so I’d have consistency and knew exactly where I’d deliver. Otherwise, you’d only have your last two appointments at the hospital.
My prenatal care included:
- An ultrasound in the second trimester, and another with a specialist in the third trimester
- Routine appointments every four weeks, increasing to every two weeks near the end
- A meeting with an anesthetist to prepare for the epidural, including filling out a questionnaire and blood tests to rule out contraindications.
4. Blood and Urine Tests
Every four weeks, I had blood and urine tests to check vitamin levels, screen for toxoplasmosis (which is tested more in France than in the Netherlands), and monitor blood sugar. Mid-pregnancy tests revealed low iron/ferritin, and in France they’re very proactive about iron supplementation. The standard iron made me feel unwell, so I switched to Solgar’s Gentle Iron, recommended by my Dutch midwife. And it helped immediately.
5. Postpartum Care & Hospital Stay
France doesn’t have traditional home postpartum care (kraamzorg) as we know in the Netherlands. Instead, you stay in the hospital for 3–5 days, depending on how the birth went. I stayed five days because the birth was quite intense. I struggled to sit, stand, or walk. During my stay, we received excellent support—baby care, breastfeeding assistance, and 24/7 call support were all provided. Once home, our parents helped for several days—definitely needed as we were still adjusting to having a newborn.
6. Insurance & Financial Support
If you’re a permanent resident in France, you have a Carte Vitale, which covers all pregnancy and birth costs. You can also take out a mutuelle (supplementary insurance), often available through French banks. Pregnant women are also entitled to various subsidies via CAF. Details are available on the CAF website.
I was still registered in the Netherlands throughout my pregnancy, so my Dutch insurance covered the costs—but I needed prior authorization, which I got for the pregnancy and the birth. Hospital births are not standard in Dutch coverage, but they approved it after I submitted claims. The French insurer reimbursed part of the costs, the Dutch the rest. This was because I was transitioning between countries. If you recently moved, it’s worth carefully reviewing what coverage you need. Feel free to email me anytime to discuss your situation.
Summary of Practical Tips for Giving birth in France:
| Topic | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Place of birth | Hospital is standard—home births are rare and expensive |
| Type of birth | Natural birth is encouraged; epidural and vacuum assist available |
| Prenatal care | Regular ultrasounds, checkups every 2–4 weeks, anesthetist prep |
| Tests | Blood/urine regularly: vitamins, toxo, iron, sugar |
| Postpartum | 3–5 day hospital stay with full support |
| Insurance | Carte Vitale & mutuelle; French subsidies + Dutch transition coverage possible |
If you’re planning to give birth in France, or unexpectedly find yourself in labor here, this is a helpful overview of what to expect. Feel free to reach out if you’d like to discuss your specific circumstances!
If you want to do a beautiful ritual before giving birth for your pregnancy, my Full Moon Cacao & Rite of the Womb Ritual will support you to connect with your womb and baby.
