Not all ex-pats who buy a property in Turkey and settle here are retired couples seeking out a new and more relaxing lifestyle. A number of young families and individuals also come to Turkey looking to carve out a new life for themselves in a relaxed and sunny country. Some of those couples will inevitably discover they are pregnant. So what does having a baby in Turkey as an ex-pat involve? Well, here at Oceanwide Properties Turkey we’ve done the research for you so read on…
The Turkish Health System and Pregnancy
Just as in the UK, a pregnancy can be confirmed with a doctor or gynaecologic -via an ultrasound examination and laboratory tests. The latter looks at blood, urine and the mum-to-be’s hormones.
Most employers in Turkey expect to be notified of a forthcoming birth within four months of the woman discovering she is pregnant. Pregnancy rights are available in Turkey, but only if the employer receives an official medical report stating that this is indeed the case.
Prenatal Care in Turkey
Ongoing testing is provided to monitor both the health of the mother and baby. Tests available include amniocentesis, ultrasound (every three weeks), Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) testing, Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS) and GBS (Group B Streptococcus) tests. Prenatal classes are available in a selection of public and private centres and are usually free.
Giving Birth in Turkey
There are a whole host of private and state hospitals to choose to have your baby in within Turkey. Insurance will normally cover these costs – although not in all cases so it’s definitely worth checking beforehand.
When it comes to the actual birth, a caesarean delivery is just as popular as a natural delivery (maybe even more so if recent statistics are anything to go by).
If you have a natural birth then you can expect to leave hospital after two days at the most. Mothers who have undergone a caesarean section will sometimes stay in hospital for up to three days as a guarantee that both mum and baby are fine.
Sometimes home births – including water births – are available in city areas, but only under the supervision of a midwife qualified in such matters.
Vaccinations
Under Turkish Ministry of Health regulations, a newborn infact is always vaccinated against
Hepatitis B within 48 hours of the birth. He or she will then be given further injections one month and then six months later. At three months and above the baby will be subject to further vaccinations such as the BCG for tuberculosis, DTB for diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough, Hib, and OPV the oral polio vaccine.
When the baby is one year old they will receive the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine. It’s at this point that medical staff usually also recommend vaccinating the child against other illnesses such as chicken pox and Hepatitis A.
If you’re thinking of settling here and are currently looking for a Turkey property then please contact us here at Oceanwide Properties. We specialise in properties for sale in Fethiye, Kalkan, Side and other coastal regions as well as Istanbul and its surrounds.
