Pregnancy and Birth
Examinations
Pregnant women have the right to an examination by a doctor or midwife. The first check-up is with your own doctor at the ninth week of pregnancy. It is up to you to make this appointment. At the 10th to 12th week of pregnancy, you can go for an examination that will show whether there is any risk of the child having disabilities or certain hereditary diseases; this will be discussed with your doctor or midwife. A file will be opened which records the progress of the pregnancy.
Birth Preparations
Antenatal courses are offered where you learn about what happens to your body during pregnancy and the development of the baby. Breathing and physical exercises that train the body and make giving birth easier and less painful, are also taught. Ask your midwife about available courses. You can bring another person along to the courses.
Birth
In Denmark, most people give birth in a hospital maternity ward. You decide where and how you want to give birth. You can bring your husband or another person along to the birth. It is also possible to have the baby at home. Consult your midwife.
The Maternity Ward
Here you can get help and advice about looking after the baby and advice on breastfeeding.
Birth Certificate, Naming, and Christening
Once the baby is born, the parents must fill in a form which is to be sent to the Registrar of the State Church, who will issue a birth certificate. The Danish Peoples’ Church (Folkekirken) registers all new births, irrespective of religion, on behalf of the state. The child must be named before reaching six months of age. A naming certificate can be found at www.personregistrering.dk (only in Danish). The child will receive a birth certificate.
A child can also be named at a christening in Folkekirken or another recognized religious community.
Everything related to pregnancy and birth is free of charge if you have a CPR number. For more information, click here.
An approved names list, and search function, can be found here (only in Danish).
Maternity/Paternity Leave
Paternity Leave. Foto source: www.madeformums.comParents have the right to a total of 52 weeks’ leave with maternity leave subsistence allowance in connection with pregnancy and birth. The mother is entitled to 4 weeks leave prior to giving birth and 14 weeks after. The father is entitled to two weeks in connection with the birth. The remaining 32 weeks can be divided between the parents according to their wishes and needs.
The public authorities and certain private companies have accords or agreements that ensure employees receive salaried maternity leave. Parents who do not receive salaried maternity leave can receive maternity maintenance from their municipal authority. This also applies to self-employed people if they have had their business for a minimum of six months. Parents of small children are also entitled to parental leave. Ask your municipal authority for conditions.
Family Income Supplement
In Denmark, all families with children receive a family income supplement for each child under 18. The supplement is paid automatically every third month, and you do not have to apply for it.
Moving
It really can be tough to move to another country with a family or starting a family in a foreign country. Both children and adults experience frustrations in this regard. But there’s help to get – check out the bottom of our health care page where we have a list of competent specialists within the field of helping expats and their families.