Lanzarote Relocation

Having a baby in Lanzarote can be one of the most exciting events of your life. However, with language barriers, it can also be a terrifying experience too. Obviously, as with any pregnancy – you will want to know where to get care and support for your impending happy arrival.

The health care in Lanzarote is excellent, and the support for Mums-to-be is second to none. You can get this either from your own health centre, or opt to go private.

Pre-Natal Care in Lanzarote

As soon as you suspect you may be pregnant, book an appointment with your doctor. They will examine you, confirm that you are indeed pregnant, and will arrange blood tests and an early ultra sound scan.

The following dates may vary – but will give you a rough guide to how often you will be seen:

• every 4 weeks until week 28
• every 2 weeks until week 36
• weekly until delivery

The midwife provides a great source of support to the expectant mother. speak to your Docotr to see if the clinic has a resident midwife, or to find out whether you need to visit another clinic for this. Most in Lanzarote have the teams on site – so this shouldn’t be a problem.

Pre-Natal Classes

Knowing what will happen, and being prepared for childbirth can drmatically improve how well you and your unborn child fare during the pregnancy. Again, speak to your Doctor and Midwife to see what options are available, and whether they can offer support in English for you.

The courses should include preparation for labour (what to expect), breathing and relaxation techniques and preparation for baby feeding.

Where to Deliver the Baby

The Lanzarote hospitals offer a very high standard of natal care, with emergency personnel services on hand in case of any problems. Home birthing is not encouraged in Lanzarote – but most women would want to be close to medical help when going through this experience anyway.

Your doctor and midwife will be able to talk you through the facilities, and what methods of pain relief are available.

Following normal vaginal delivery without any unusual complications, Mum and newborn can expect to go home within 24 hours. Following a Caesarean section that may not be for 3 to 5 days.

On discharge from hospital, they will issue you with all the paperwork for registering the birth of your new baby, they will offer advice on vaccinations, and provide you with an infant record book which records the infant’s health from birth to 18 years of age.

Registration of a Birth

Births must be registered within eight days of the birth at the Registry Civil in Arrecife. It is you as the parents’ responsibility to ensure this is done and you must do it in person. In some unusual cases the hospital, clinic or midwife will register the birth. This could be for example, if the mother is too unwell to attend the Registry Civil.

There are two types of certificate:

• short/abridged (un extracto de inscripción de nacimiento or certificado simple): contains the date of birth, the names of the child and parents and the inscription number
• full birth certificates (un certificado literal de nacimiento): full certificates may be needed for registration with the Consulate of a baby born to foreign national resident in Spain

The birth registration includes:

• name of the new-born
• date, time and location of the birth. In the case of multiple births, when the exact time is unknown for each new-born, indication shall be given of the order in which they were born, or that this could not be determined
• whether the new-born is male or female and the name given
• the parents, when the relationship is legally recognised
• the number assigned to the birth or verification file
• the time of registration

Birth certificates must state whether a child is legitimate or illegitimate. Children born within 6 months of their parent’s marriage, or within 300 days of a divorce, a marriage annulment or the death of the father are all considered legitimate.

The following documentation must be taken to the Civil Registry:

• Medical delivery report (this form is provided by the hospital where the delivery took place)
• Official proof os identity of the parents
• Family Book (or marriage certificate duly legalised and translated, when appropriate)

Registering a child born outside of wedlock

In this case, a statement is required from both parents, with the father and the mother both going to register the birth in person, providing the following documentation:

• Medical delivery report (this form is provided by the hospital where the delivery took place)
• The parents official identification
• Indication of the mother’s marital status
• If a prior marriage existed, the legal presumption of paternity must be removed by providing: Marriage certificate (with the corresponding note), and the separation or divorce decree (witnessed)
• In the case of a de facto separation, two witnesses must accompany the interested party to the Register

Post Natal Care

Post natal care tends to be very limited. Social security merely offers routine six week post natal examination (unless, of course, there are complications).

Statutory Maternity Leave

Statutory maternity leave in Spain is currently 16 weeks paid leave from work, which may be taken before of after delivery. This is increased by two weeks for each child in the event of a multiple birth from the second baby.

Fathers are entitled to paternity leave; it is as a shared part of the mother’s maternity leave. If there are complications for either the baby or the mother the father is entitled to longer leave.

Benefits

You will need to confirm eligibility for social security care as soon as possible.

Since 3 July 2007, new mothers are entitled to a one-off payment of €2,500. Only mothers who are Spanish citizens or foreigners who have been resident in Spain for at least two years prior to the birth are eligible for this payment. Adoptive parents who adopt a child within Spanish territory are also eligible.

Working mothers are also entitled to a monthly allowance for childcare. Application for this monthly benefit automatically generates an application for the one-off €2,500 childbirth benefit. To apply, contact your local Social Security office (Seguridad Social).

So all that is left to be said is, “Congratulations, and we wish all goes well for you and your new family”.

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