Hello
I am pregnant with my first baby and just started working in Switzerland. I work for a global company and have been with them for 10 years but just relocated to Zurich as an expat. I have 2 questions:
1- The current private insurance that I have falls short of a bout a month to cover for a private hospital birth but previously in the US I had a very comprehensive insurance. so back to back from the US to Switzerland for over 2 years. My insurance provider SWICA does not provide for private birth and asking me to pay the deficit myself. Anyone had a similar experience? and what was the outcome?
2- I have no idea what I am entitled to as birth benefits and would really appreciate some info.

The joy of being new to a country! Thanks a lot!

Hello Shokooh,

First, congratulations! Wish you a happy and relaxing pregnancy, it's an exciting time indeed

What do you mean by birth benefits? Maternity leave or some money from the local authorities after birth (I know there are some payments for breastfeeding, if a mom does it for at least 30 days...). Here is what I've found in the internet - hopefully, links are allowed here (I'm a newbie on the forum)

https://www.ch.ch/en/search/?search_paths[]=%2Fen&query=pregnancy

Sorry about the non-active link! If you go to www.ch.ch and type "pregnancy", there will be a number of articles on the topic.

Congratulations and welcome to the Forum. You're not alone. Do a keyword search here on EF for 'pregnant' and also for 'pregnancy' - you will find plenty of threads with information about everything from insurance to doctors and hospitals, etc.

Hi

I'd be happy to talk you through what I know. Am 8 months pregnant now and this is also my first pregnancy in Switzerland. On the health side I've learned a lot about hospitals and midwives and doctors and birth. On the work side I know there's the Swiss standards but that each work place will vary on whether they adopt the minimum or give you a bit extra. I found that I got a lot of clarity on that process after I announced to my work that I was expecting. So there should be some support coming from there that might surprise you and be more helpful than the general minimums we can refer you to. Have you talked to your work yet?

Let me know if I can help with anything, always happy to exchange notes.

Sara