I just gave birth at a public hospital in Spain, and while the memory is still fresh, I wanted to post on the forum to share my experience with all the moms-to-be and to document it for myself. Overall, I found the Spanish healthcare system to be excellent, especially the attentive care for mothers and newborns. I hope this can be a helpful reference for other ladies preparing to give birth here.
Prenatal Check-ups and Appointments
I went through the public healthcare system. As soon as my pregnancy was confirmed, I made an appointment with my family doctor at my local Centro de Salud, who then gave me a referral to a Matrona (midwife). From then on, the Matrona handled all my routine prenatal check-ups, like weighing me, taking my blood pressure, listening to the baby’s heartbeat, etc. For important scans and tests, such as the nuchal translucency scan and the anomaly scan, the Matrona would schedule them for me at the corresponding hospital. The whole process is very organized; you just have to follow their schedule. One tip: ultrasound technicians in Spanish public hospitals usually don’t volunteer the baby’s gender. If you want to know, remember to ask, “¿Se puede saber el sexo?”
Admission and Delivery
I went to the hospital’s emergency room late at night due to spotting and regular contractions. Upon arrival, I just told the front desk I was pregnant and in labor, and I was immediately taken to the maternity area. After a series of checks to confirm I met the admission criteria, I was formally admitted. In Spain, they strongly encourage natural birth and advocate for epidurals. I got my epidural from the anesthesiologist when I was three centimeters dilated, and it truly felt like going from hell to heaven! Throughout the delivery, the midwife and doctor were incredibly encouraging and patient. My husband was allowed to be with me the entire time, and he was also allowed to cut the umbilical cord, which was a huge source of emotional support for me.
Postpartum Recovery and Hospital Stay
After giving birth, you’re monitored in the delivery room for about two hours before being moved to a regular ward. Typically, for a vaginal birth, the stay is 2-3 days, while it’s longer for a C-section. The rooms are usually for two people, but if you’re lucky, you might get a single one. During your stay, nurses will meticulously teach you how to breastfeed, change diapers, and bathe the baby. They are very thorough. The hospital provides all the essentials for both the mother and the baby during the stay, including maternity pads, diapers, wipes, and baby clothes, so you don’t actually need to bring much. Before discharge, a pediatrician will give the baby a thorough newborn health check-up to ensure everything is fine before you go home.
My Hospital Bag Checklist
Here is the hospital bag I prepared. It turned out to be just the right amount, with nothing unnecessary. It might vary slightly from hospital to hospital, but this should generally be enough.
| Category | Items |
|---|
| For Mom | ID/Documents, a few sets of comfortable pajamas, nursing bras, nursing pads, slippers, toiletries, an outfit to wear home |
| For Baby | Infant car seat/carrier, one or two outfits for going home, a small hat, socks, a swaddle blanket |
| Other | Phone, charger, some of your favorite snacks |
