A comprehensive insight on your birthing options if you’re living in France.
By Sophie, aka Octomama, a French doula, ex-expat herself for over 10 years.
Bonjour, beautiful mom-to-be! Félicitations again 🎉
Moving to France is definitely exciting: new experiences, new culture, and all the baguettes & croissants you can handle! But once you’re expecting a baby, the excitement can sometimes turn into confusion. French healthcare is known for being top quality, true, but the “prise en charge” of your birth experience here can feel very medicalized and quite rigid, leaving many expats unsure of what to expect.
So, if you’re an expat getting ready to welcome a baby in France, it’s time to take a closer look at your birthing options. We’ll explore together
- the different places where you can give birth
- who might be attending your birth depending on where you choose
- and what it all means for you as someone probably navigating this maternity system for the first time.
Oh, and we’ll talk about how you can make the experience as empowering and personal as possible! Because… that’s what matters most, right?
Birthing in France: The Basics
France is proud of its healthcare system, and when it comes to pregnancy and childbirth, you’re clearly covered in terms of medical care and at little to no cost.
See this article to find out more…
But here’s the thing: while you’re 100% “prise en charge” the birth process here is mostly guided by protocols and a pretty structured, medicalized approach.
Hospital births are the norm, and while that comes with certain advantages (it’s free), it can also feel a bit rigid if you’re hoping for a more natural birth. French hospitals are excellent at managing births from a medical standpoint. But the choices available to you as a birthing person can sometimes feel limited, especially compared to what you might be used to in other countries.
For example, if you give birth in a hospital, the team attending your birth will likely be whoever is on call at the time. And not necessarily someone you’ve seen throughout your pregnancy. That can be a big shift for those used to more continuity of care or those who’ve built a strong relationship with a specific provider.
But I’ll explain later how you can reinforce your autonomy in terms of confidence and labor management so you don’t entirely depend on the staff. Keep reading 😉
For now, let’s dive into your birthing location options and the kind of care and choices you can expect at each one.
Birthing Location Options in France
1. Public Hospitals (Hôpitaux Publics)
The majority of births in France happen in public hospitals. It can be in a CHU, a local hospital or a stand-alone maternité. These hospitals have specialized maternity wards (maternités) and are set up to handle a wide range of births, including high-risk pregnancies. The care is clearly protocol-driven, meaning that standard procedures like epidurals are the norm (and often encouraged).
NOTE : hospital here are categorized into 3 « niveaux » depending on the level of medical follow up that is required by your situation (it’s like the NICU levels basically)
Feel free to discuss this with your medical provider what is best for you depending on your situation, history, desires and your location! Giving birth in a « niveau 1 » maternity does not necessarily means you’ll get better support for a physiological birth unfortunately…
- Who will attend your birth: In a public hospital, you’ll be attended by a team of healthcare professionals, which will likely include midwives (sage-femmes) and specialized nurses (auxiliaires de puériculture). An obstetrician will come in only if needed (for instruments or C-section). However, it’s important to know that the midwife or doctor who attends your birth is often whoever is on shift when you go into labor. You may not have met them before, which can be surprising if you’re used to a more personal approach.
- Choice: While the care is generally very safe and professional, there’s not always a lot of flexibility with your birth plan. Hospitals in France tend to lean towards medical interventions like epidurals (which are used in about 80% of births). If you’re hoping for a less medicalized birth, you might need to advocate for yourself or seek out specific hospitals that support more natural births.
- Pros: Excellent medical care and access to all the necessary equipment if complications arise. Costs are mostly covered by national health insurance.
- Cons: Can feel impersonal, with less focus on individualized care. Protocols are followed closely, so there may be less flexibility around things like labor positions, birth plans, and immediate skin-to-skin contact with your baby. Again, investigate first with the staff, your provider or your doula.
2. Private Clinics (Cliniques Privées)
Private clinics offer a more boutique experience, with more personalized care and nicer amenities. If you prefer a more comfortable environment and are willing to pay a bit extra, a private clinic could be a good option. You’ll usually have a private room, and the level of attention might feel more tailored to your needs.
- Who will attend your birth: Similar to public hospitals, you’ll be cared for by a team of healthcare professionals, but private clinics sometimes allow more continuity with your chosen obstetrician. Depending on the clinic, you might have more control over who is present for your birth. To be discussed, again.
- Choice: You might have a bit more flexibility with things like birth plans, but private clinics still tend to follow medical protocols closely. Epidurals are widely used, and the emphasis on medicalized birth is still strong. Some private clinics may be more open to alternatives like water births or natural birth approaches.
- Pros: More personalized care, better facilities, and potentially more say in your birth preferences. You may also find more English-speaking staff, which can be a relief for non-French speakers.
- Cons: Extra costs not fully covered by insurance. And, like public hospitals, private clinics can still be fairly medicalized, so if you’re hoping for a completely hands-off birth, this might not be the best option.
3. Birth Centers (Maisons de Naissance)
For expats who are hoping for a more natural and low-intervention birth, France has recently started introducing Maisons de naissance, or birth centers. These are midwife-led facilities designed to feel more home-like, offering a more intimate and relaxed environment compared to a hospital. However, they are still relatively few in number, so you might not find one near you.
- Who will attend your birth: You’ll be attended by a midwife (or a team of midwives) whom you’ve gotten to know during your pregnancy. The emphasis here is on personalized care and creating a calm, supportive birthing environment.
- Choice: Birth centers give you more control over your birthing experience. Whether it’s laboring in water, using alternative pain management techniques, or delivering in whatever position feels right for you, birth centers are all about flexibility. Not that epidurals are not available in these birth centers.
- Pros: A natural birth-focused, home-like atmosphere with a midwife you know and trust. Less medical intervention and more choice over how your birth unfolds.
- Cons: Birth centers are only available for low-risk pregnancies. If complications arise, you’ll need to be transferred to a hospital. Also, they are still few and far between in France, so accessibility can be an issue.
4. Home Birth (Accouchement à Domicile – AAD)
While not as common in France, home births are possible, but they’re more difficult to arrange than in some other countries. This option is typically for those looking for a completely natural birth in the comfort of their own home, attended by an independent midwife.
- Who will attend your birth: An independent midwife (sage-femme AAD) who specializes in home births will lead your care. However, home birth midwives can be hard to find, and not all areas in France have midwives who offer this service.
You can find the AAD midwives registry here: https://apaad.fr/liste-sf-aad
- Choice: Home births offer the most freedom and control over your birthing experience. From laboring in your own bed to creating the exact environment you want, the choice is entirely yours.
- Pros: Complete control over your birth environment, a very personalized experience, and a natural, mostly intervention-free approach.
- Cons: Home births aren’t widely supported in France, and finding an independent midwife might be tricky. In addition, home births are generally not fully covered by French health insurance.
But What About Having a Say in How You Give Birth?
Now that you’ve seen the birthing options, you might have noticed a theme. Your birth experience in France can feel very much shaped by the location and the people attending your birth. However how much say you have can vary. French hospitals and clinics tend to follow strict medical protocols, which can sometimes limit your choices. Especially if you’re seeking a more natural birth or want to avoid interventions.
This is where things can get tricky for expats. Even if you’re used to advocating for yourself back home, navigating the language barrier, cultural differences, and a system that’s not exactly known for its flexibility can be challenging.
So how can you make sure your voice is heard and your choices are respected?
Enter: The Doula, Your Birth Advocate and Guide
While doulas aren’t typically allowed in maternity wards in French hospitals, they can still play a vital role in your pregnancy and birthing journey. A doula provides consistent, personalized support throughout your pregnancy and helps you prepare for labor and birth. They’re there to answer your questions, assist with creating a birth plan and walk you through what to expect at each stage.
During labor, your doula can serve as a backup. Over the phone, she can be offering encouragement, comfort techniques, and guidance on when to head to the hospital. You’re feeling uncertain or stressed about your birth experience? Your doula is just a call away to provide that steady, reassuring voice. They’re a tremendous resource, helping you feel prepared and empowered. Making sure you can step confidently into birth knowing you, and your partner have support every step of the way.
CONCLUSION
Giving birth in France as an expat doesn’t have to be daunting. By understanding your birthing options and having the right support team you can make the experience uniquely yours.
After all, this is your birth, and you deserve to feel empowered, informed, and confident.
No matter where in the world you are 🫶
Hi, I’m Sophie !
Mum of 3 (+1 👼) and holistic doula since 2021 in Pessac (33).
My personal healing journey began 12 years ago, following a medical diagnosis that I could not accept.
I’ve had very different birth experiences – from a traumatic first birth to a mindful home birth. I have also gone through the pain of miscarriage. As a doula, I am here by your side, offering you the tools, a safe space and unwavering support as you navigate this transformative and complex journey to motherhood.
I look forward to getting to know you and supporting you on this life-changing adventure 🫶.
Birth & Post Partum Doula
in Pessac / Bordeaux (33) and online
Important : A doula is not a healthcare professional. I do not make any diagnoses, prescribe medication, or provide care instructions. I also do not offer the official « childbirth preparation classes » as your healthcare provider does. My support is complementary and not reimbursed by the CPAM.
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