I hope docneti will receive a message that you've posted on this thread and come back with more info.

In the meantime, this part of your post caught my eye. Docneti said the C-section was planned. Planned does not necessarily mean elective.

Planned can be because the doctor has determined it's best for mother and/or baby to do a C-section at a specific time rather than waiting for mother to go into labor.

Elective is because the mother wants it for one reason or another.

I don't know what the general feeling is in Switzerland with respect to elective C-sections. Perhaps some other folks will come along and share their experiences as well.

Just as a way of update, I managed to get the blood tests and some of the consultations reimbursed (post 8 weeks). The earlier consultation my doctor decided it was 'inconclusive' as pregnancy so were rejected.

My doctor has been very helpful, so I didn't want to push too hard for the earlier invoice, better to focus on a smooth pregnancy and a healthy baby...

Brilliant post - thanks for all the helpful information! I'm familiar with the UK system where all costs are pretty much taken care of so good to understand the requirements here.

A friend of mine had a fairly normal pregnancy and was signed off for 50% and 100% in the last two months respectively. Unlike the UK, this time doesn't come out of your maternity leave period.

Here is a website of the Swiss Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics.
It contains various info (also with regard to Corona/Covid-19), some in Swiss languages, and some links to English-language info (scroll down).
https://www.sggg.ch/news/detail/1/co...hwangerschaft/

Here, there is a special section (scroll down) of FAQs about pregnancy and Covid-19.
https://www.bag.admin.ch/bag/en/home...te-fragen.html

This is the website of the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health.

If you go to emergency for pregnancy related issue before the 13th week, it will not be covered by insurance.

I thought I miscarried so I went to Triemli hospital. They checked blood, urine and did ultrasound. I got billed ~700 chf for that. And got a letter ~ 1.5 months late saying that they found some bacteria and I had to use a medication Fortunately that bacteria was nothing serious.

Dear All,
Does anyone know of prenatal course in Bern or Belp In English or Italian?
Thank you in advance for your help

I’ve just found out I’m pregnant and have no idea where to even start with appointments. I live near Nyon and don’t currently speak any French. I am assuming I need to first book an appointment with a gynaecologist and they will sort appointments from there? Can anyone suggest any English speaking contacts I could use?

This is my first pregnancy. Currently 21 weeks. What can I expect to be included at the hospital (or not included...) during/after delivery? i.e. Diapers, belly bands, feminine hygiene produts, baby products... should I be packing everything needed for the multiday stay for baby and me or should I bring only the basic clothing stuff and car seat? I have never been in a Swiss hospital in the 3 years I've been here and even coming from Canada I am not close to someone who has given birth recently in either country. Thanks for answers and time. Happy Holidays!

I did bring all of those but you don't need any. Mine was a private hospital. They basically offer things like you were walking on the street and suddenly came for a delivery :-)

I still prefer my products, but did use some of the items they offered as they were imo better than mine (but for most products not). Anyways, there was nothing of bad quality. And they do know what one may need very good!

You do need a car seat though IMO just call the hospital you plan to give birth in and ask if there's something you're unsure about.

I would say take your own feminine hygiene products (I'm really specific about this stuff, but maybe not everyone is like that), the rest are OK. Good luck!

Oh yes, and a car seat!!!!!!! It's worth investing in the best thing you can find, you're gonna use this stuff.

Hi Everyone,

I hope this is the right thread to use. I did a search and read back through the previous posts on this thread, and I couldn't see anything. I think I already know what the answer is, but I thought I'd see if anybody could bring any more info to what I already know.

So, basically, I have just found out that I am pregnant. My husband has a chronic mental illness and doesn't work, but he doesn't receive AVS because, well, it's hard to explain, but applying for it is hard as it triggers some aspects of his illness. So we live fine on one salary of 90,000.

I know maternity is paid at 80% of up to 88,200 CHF, but I did not realise that taxes etc. were still deducted. We have quite a lot of debts (for various reasons) so our outgoings are a lot each month, and I am really, really, really worried about money now. I honestly don't understand how we will pay the bills AND manage to buy everything a baby needs during my maternity leave. I don't want to leave my husband alone with the baby during this time, as he is fragile. It is a really difficult situation, and I am just looking for ways to make this easier. Please, please, don't judge me. This is the situation, and it has been difficult for us over the last few years. We have to find a way to manage it.

Does anybody have any advice? What do single parents do, for example? Or parents on a lower wage than this? Or single mothers who earn more than the 196 francs per day threshold - how do they pay their mortgages or rents once their pay drops during maternity leave? I appreciate that people mostly plan for babies and save up, but, you know, conception isn't always like that. Sometimes things happen, even with contraception!

Other than moving to a cheaper area (which we can't even do as we have just missed our annual deadline) or defaulting on our debts, I'm just not sure how all of the bills are needed. Even with buying second-hand and trying to reorganise the debt payments (which I guess may or may not happen). I guess my question is this: apart from maternity pay and family allowance, is there anything else to support new families whose outgoings exceed their incomings?

Have you spoken to your canton's social services? They may have some ideas to help you overcome the financial situation.

Good luck to you.

Agreed. Another possibility would be to contact your municipality. Around here, the municipality is the entity that pays social benefits. Even before you ask that question sometimes there are often lists of resources for parents.

Is your employer aware yet? You don't have to give them all the details of your concerns. You can simply mention the pregnancy and ask what the child benefit is so you can plan accordingly.

I know parents are eligible to receive some small additional amount per month per child, but I don't know how much it is. I think it varies by canton and maybe even by municipality. Parents on EF have stated it's not enough to cover all the expenses of a child, but it does help.

Folks on EF are resourceful so hopefully others will be along with some additional tips and links.

I might be wrong, but I think you need to have a really low income to receive social benefits here.

If OP is in too much debt, which she is solely responsible for, I don't think authorities will agree to chip in.

@Sileas,

I am sorry to hear you have all these problems, especially those related to you OH's health. It must be overwhelming, stressful, all in a moment that should be care free, joyous.

Perhaps you can try to ask the municipality, but also keep in mind you may need to move to a cheaper area or sell some things etc.
I wish you the best of luck, it's not pleasant.

Congratulations, Sileas, on your wonderful news!

Now for the practical part: go to the Items Wanted subforum and create a thread. Explain what you need for your baby, people are very kind and generous here and will help out with hand-me-downs. One does not need so much for the 1st year, tbh.

One advice - you are feeding 3 people now. Make it a priority to take care of yourself. We are rooting for you. Your partner should be a support, too. And not just financial.

Much love, a single mom.