Health · Healthcare & Policy · 12 hrs ago
American woman describes pregnancy under France’s health-care system
An American woman who moved to France in 2021 is pregnant there for the first time.
She says she has found the French approach different from what she expected, including because midwives commonly care for people with low-risk pregnancies.
In France, midwives can prescribe medicine and lead childbirth, and hers have different roles in her care and preparation.
The country’s national health insurance can cover some pregnancy costs, with all associated costs covered from the sixth month onward, according to her account.
She says her appointments that are not fully covered generally cost 40 euros or less, and some lower-income parents may qualify for a birth payment of more than 1,000 euros.
These arrangements have been positive for her, but she misses her family in Southern California and wishes she could share this time with them.
She has not said what she plans to do next.
Audrey Bruno, an American living in France, describes her experience of pregnancy under the French health-care system.
She says France’s midwife-led care and national health insurance have been positive aspects.
She is being treated by three midwives with different roles in her care.
France’s national health insurance can cover up to 70% of pregnancy-related charges until the fifth month and all associated costs from the sixth month onward.
Bruno says being away from her family in Southern California has been difficult.
- Who
- Audrey Bruno, an American living in France.
- What
- She describes the advantages and challenges of being pregnant under France’s health-care system.
- When
- She found out she was pregnant earlier in 2026.
- Where
- France; Bruno is originally from Southern California.
- Why
- Not stated
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
I'm being treated by three midwives, and I love the way they're specialized to my different needs.
Although I don't have a mutuelle, the appointments I have that aren't completely covered generally cost me 40 euros or less.
Being away from my family during this time has been difficult.
Bruno and her husband moved to France with no intention of leaving anytime soon.
Bruno ensured she was registered in France's national health-insurance program and completed preliminary checkups.
Bruno found out she was pregnant for the first time.
- Care team
- Bruno is being treated by three midwives.
- Insurance coverage
- France's national health insurance can subsidize up to 70% of related charges until the fifth month of pregnancy.
- Later pregnancy coverage
- The national health insurance program covers all associated costs from the sixth month onward.
- Out-of-pocket appointments
- Bruno says appointments that are not fully covered generally cost her 40 euros or less.
- Birth bonus
- The French government offers a birth bonus of over 1,000 euros to parents below a certain income threshold.
Sources
Related news
Singapore air quality remains unhealthy as haze continues
Father sues hospital after 21-year-old daughter dies following ankle treatment
Ontario cancer patient denied provincial drug funding
No adverse-event reports for South Korea’s AI medical devices in three years
NHS app to alert users when prescriptions are ready to collect
Medicare Expert Says Lifetime Health Care Estimates Need Context
Greek student receives emergency liver transplant in Turin
Riyadh hosts seventh international disability and rehabilitation conference
Demand grows for death doulas who support people near the end of life
KPN outage disrupts phone access to several Dutch university hospitals
Humana gains in 2027 Medicare Advantage ratings as Alignment falls
