Delivering a Baby in Canada as an International Student

I had recently learned that a neighbor who was scheduled to travel to Canada in a few months as an international student, was in fact pregnant. This piqued my interest in the growing birth tourism industry in Canada. While the pandemic has had a dampening effect on this trend as borders were closed during the height of the pandemic, it seems that it is on the up again led by pregnant women traveling from China.

Most of these women travel to Canada for the sole purpose of giving birth and returning to their home country with a baby toting a Canadian passport. The idea is that the child can take advantage of a Canadian citizenship and the opportunities it affords later in life. But then there are also temporary resident visa holders such as international students who wish to use education as a vehicle to gain permanent residency and get their newborn instant Canadian Citizenship in the process.

While most Canadians have a negative opinion of this practice and feel that their generous healthcare system is being taken advantage of, the fact remains that in Canada, the law provides that anybody born on Canadian soil automatically becomes a citizen. A CBC article revealed that between 2018 and 2019, around 5000 babies were born to non-resident parents.

We explore common concerns of international students planning to give birth in Canada.

Will insurance cover medical costs for a foreigner giving birth in Canada?

Depending on the province where you will study, usually international students’ basic medical needs are covered under the provincial health insurance plans these include Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba,
Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, and Saskatchewan. Still, most provinces require students to get a private health insurance plan to get full coverage. This can be obtained through the school and is packaged along with the tuition fee.

Benefits differ and the coverage is only provided to students who are studying fulltime at a recognized institution. However, there are some caveats such as the pregnancy must commence after the insurance policy comes into effect, otherwise, the student is out of luck.

Choosing between giving birth with the help of a midwife or an OB-GYN

If you have a normal pregnancy and do not have any complications, you may consider a midwife as a cheaper alternative. Midwives can look after you and even order tests to ensure you and your baby are safe. Giving birth with the help of a midwife can be done at home, at a hospital or a birth center. Home birth is around CAD$2500 but do note that you will not have access to an epidural which is offered only at a hospital setting.

Check with your province if midwifery services can be availed of for free. Funding may also be available for consultations and other fees.

If problems are encountered later the pregnancy such as premature labor or pre-eclampsia, you will need to be referred to an obstetrician.

If you are to deliver your baby at a hospital, keep in mind that you need to cover the cost of registering and staying at that hospital. Vaginal delivery costs between CAD$4500 to $8000. Caesarean section would set you back CAD$10,000 — $12,000. Hospital stays on the other hand may mean an additional CAD$500 — $3000 per night. There may be admission fees involved depending on the medical institution.

It is advisable to set up a payment plan with the hospital to arrange how you plan to pay for the fees for a smoother admission. You are expected to settle your bills before leaving the hospital after delivering your baby.

You will be required to register the childbirth, but each territory will have its own rules so check with your local authority. After registration and getting the birth certificate, you may obtain for your child a Canadian passport.

Taking a leave of absence without compromising the study permit

Canadian Immigration authorities state that students are allowed to take a leave of absence for valid reasons as long as it is not more than 150 days. Pregnancy is one of them.

In most cases, you may be able to take a leave from your program and still be considered to be actively pursuing your studies. While you don’t need to inform the government, they do random checks so be ready with documents that will prove you are eligible to take a medical leave such as a proof from a medical professional. You also need to inform your school and complete the necessary paperwork.

You are not allowed to work during this time. If you prefer to continue your studies during your pregnancy and/or keep working, you may seek special accommodations from your teachers or professors including requesting for online classes.

Arranging for childcare services when the baby is born

Finding arrangements for your baby if you are a single parent or if your partner works full time, can be tough. You can approach your school for recommendations. Some schools offer a place for children to stay, otherwise, you may need to enlist at a private daycare or home daycare. Be aware that there might be a wait list that ranges from 6 months to 3 years depending on the daycare facility, so sign-up early. Childcare fees range from CAD$25 up to $80 dollars a day.

I hope you found this information useful. If you have experienced this and would like to share some insights to other moms-to-be, please leave a comment. Sign up for our newsletter to keep up with latest trends.

Originally published at https://immigreatorg.wpcomstaging.com on September 6, 2021.