Pregnancy help when overseas

5-minute read

Many women travel overseas while they're pregnant without any problem. But what if something goes wrong? Here are some things to think about so you're able to get help when you're overseas.

How can I cover unforeseen costs?

It's very important to talk to your doctor about when and how to travel and to discuss which vaccinations you need. Before you go, you should make sure your travel insurance covers you for pregnancy.

It's not normally recommended to travel to very remote areas or to developing countries while you're pregnant — if you do, make sure your travel insurance will cover any medical care you might need, as well as any emergency evacuation expenses.

Different travel insurance products offer different levels of pregnancy cover. Most will cover pregnancy up to 26 to 30 weeks, and some will go up to 32 weeks. After 33 weeks you can't claim on travel insurance for normal pregnancy or childbirth, although some pregnancy-related medical conditions may be covered.

Some policies also cover newborns — which could be important if your baby decides to come early while you're overseas. Check whether there are any exclusions in your policy, such as complications due to fertility treatment or a multiple birth.

You can read more about finding the best travel insurance on the government's Smartraveller website.

Australia has reciprocal healthcare agreements with 11 countries, as of April 2021. This means you will be covered for emergency care in these countries, or for care that can't wait until you get home. You may need to pay for some medicines.

The countries that have these reciprocal healthcare agreements with Australia are Belgium, Finland, Italy, Malta, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, the Republic of Ireland, Slovenia, Sweden and the United Kingdom. Different countries offer different levels of care. You can check for more up-to-date information on the Services Australia website before you go.

Even if you are going to a country that has a reciprocal healthcare agreement with Australia, you should also take out travel insurance if you're pregnant.

What should I bring with me?

As well as bringing your passport and tickets, you’ll need to plan your packing a little more carefully if you’re pregnant.

Before you go, ask your doctor about which medicines are safe to take with you. For example, ask about whether you can take anything to provide relief if you feel nauseous or have diarrhoea. If you are travelling by plane, also ask your doctor about medicines to avoid blood clots.

If you are flying after 28 weeks of pregnancy, most airlines will need you to have a medical certificate. This is a letter from a doctor or registered midwife giving information about your pregnancy such as your estimated due date, whether there are complications, and whether it is a multiple pregnancy. The airline may request to see the medical certificate when you check in and even during the flight.

It’s important to take photocopies of your travel documents, prescriptions and insurance policies, and to keep these somewhere safe.

Staying safe while overseas

It’s very dangerous to drink contaminated water while you’re pregnant, so bottled water is best. Iodine purification is not recommended because it can affect your baby’s thyroid gland. Pack lots of hand sanitiser so you can make sure your hands are always clean before you eat or drink.

You should take proper precautions against being bitten by mosquitoes if you are in a mosquito area. Insect repellent containing DEET is fine after the first trimester, but use a spray rather than a roll-on. Also, take long-sleeved clothes for after dark and a mosquito net for your bed.

What happens if you give birth overseas?

If you happen to have your baby while you are overseas, there are several things you will need to consider.

Having a baby in a foreign country does not automatically mean your baby is a citizen of that country, even though that country will most likely issue a birth certificate.

Only the United States, Canada and most South American countries have what is known as 'birthright citizenship'. Citizenship of Australia, as well as of most European and Asian countries, is based on the citizenship of the parents.

Your baby will need an interim passport so you can return to Australia. You will need to contact the Australian embassy or consulate in the country to help organise this.

When you return to Australia, even if you and your partner are both Australian citizens, this does not automatically make your baby an Australian citizen. You will have to apply for 'citizenship by descent'.

Remember that most travel insurance policies will not cover the costs of your baby, so speak to your insurance provider before you travel.

Where should I go for help?

If you need medical help while you're overseas, the first step is to contact your travel insurer. Most insurers offer 24-hour assistance lines that will help you.

If it's an emergency, contact the local ambulance service. You can find the number in the travel advisory for that country on the Smartraveller website. Smartraveller also provides advice on where to go for help in that country.

If you are in serious trouble and can’t get help anywhere else, you should contact the Australian embassy or consulate. This will nearly always be in the capital, although there may be consulates in the larger cities. The 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre in Canberra can also be contacted for assistance from anywhere in the world on +61 2 6261 3305 (or on 1300 555 135 if in Australia).

How do I handle the language barrier?

Consider taking a phrase book with you, using the Google Translate phone app, and obtaining translations about common pregnancy problems or complications before you go. An Australian embassy or consulate can also advise you on where to find local accredited translators in an emergency.

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Last reviewed: April 2021

Need more information?

Travelling during Pregnancy

Many women will travel during pregnancy for work, recreation and visiting friends and relatives. In general, the second trimester is the safest and most comfortable time to travel. The chance of miscarriage is very small, nausea and vomiting are likely to have settled and physical constraints have not yet begun to limit your movement.

Read more on RANZCOG - Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists website

Pregnancy at week 21

At week 21, you should consider whether to do any travel since you may not be able to for much longer in your pregnancy.

Read more on Pregnancy, Birth & Baby website

Surrogacy explained | VARTA

Understanding surrogacySurrogacy is an arrangement in which a woman (the surrogate) agrees to carry and give birth to a child on behalf of another person or couple (the intended or commissioning parent(s)). Most commonly, surrogacy involves IVF in which embryos are created in a lab and transferred into the surrogate. In traditional surrogacy artificial insemination is used.The chance of having a baby through surrogacy depends on a range of factors, including: the age of the person providing the egg or sperm the age of the surrogate the lifestyle of the surrogate and egg or sperm providers the quality of the embryo which is transferred to the surrogate.Surrogacy arrangements are medically, financially, emotionally and legally complex. The laws affecting surrogacy vary between Australian states and territories, and also internationally. It is important to seek local independent legal advice about your surrogacy arrangements.Types of surrogacySurrogacy is grouped according to type (traditional vs gestational) and whether payment is involved (commercial vs altruistic). Victorian fertility clinics are only permitted to practice gestational surrogacy, and only altruistic surrogacy is permitted in Victoria.Surrogacy type: gestational vs traditional Gestational surrogacy Traditional surrogacy In gestational surrogacy the surrogate’s egg is not used in conception, so the surrogate (gestational carrier) has no genetic link to the baby and is not the biological mother. The embryo transferred into the surrogate may be created using the intended parents’ sperm and egg, or donor embryos may be used. Status of gestational surrogacy: Practiced by registered fertility clinics in Victoria. In traditional surrogacy an egg from the surrogate is used. Fertility treatment, either artificial insemination or IVF, is used with the intended father’s sperm. In traditional surrogacy, the surrogate carries the pregnancy and gives birth to a child that they are genetically related to. Status of traditional surrogacy: Not practiced by registered fertility clinics in Victoria due to legal requirements. Under Victorian law, it is possible to procure a traditional surrogacy arrangement using home insemination. Surrogacy arrangements: altruistic vs commercial Altruistic surrogacy Commercial surrogacy In altruistic (non-commercial) surrogacy the surrogate is not paid a fee or reward beyond being reimbursed realistic out of pocket expenses for the pregnancy and giving birth, e.g. medical costs, travel, etc. An altruistic surrogacy arrangement may be either gestational or traditional. Status of altruistic surrogacy: All Australian states and territories (except the Northern Territory) has legislation requiring altruistic surrogacy. In commercial surrogacy, a surrogate is paid or gains a material benefit for carrying the child. Status of commercial surrogacy: Illegal within Australia and can be punishable by imprisonment in some states. Legal in some overseas countries. Surrogacy in AustraliaSurrogacy arrangements in Australia offer many benefits compared to those overseas. In Australia, there is a high standard of regulated healthcare and legal protections which ensure the surrogate is known to the intended parents and the child. Surrogacy in Australia also poses fewer legal challenges regarding immigration, citizenship, and recognition of parentage. Additionally, if donor gametes are required there is an increased likelihood of the donor’s identity being available to the child. This can be beneficial for a range of reasons, including for the exchange of medical information later in life.Am I eligible - surrogateUnder the Assisted Reproductive Treatment Act 2008, to be eligible to receive treatment as a surrogate from a registered fertility clinic, a surrogate must: be at least 25 years old have previously been pregnant and given birth to a live child not use her own eggs in the surrogacy arrangement not be paid other than being reimbursed for expenses.Surrogates are preferably: 25-40 years old already mothers who have finished their family both physically and mentally healthy and leading a healthy lifestyle motivated by a desire to help others prepared to be identified to the child as required by Victorian legislation. responsible and settled. It is advisable that a surrogate's life is stable with a good support network. Exiting stressors (e.g. relationship or job related) are likely to be compounded by the demands of pregnancy. All parties, including partners (if any) must also undertake counselling and obtain independent legal advice.Am I eligible – intended parent(s)Intended parent(s) can be eligible to undertake a surrogacy arrangement in Victorian fertility clinics if: they are infertile or unable to carry a baby or give birth there is a likely medical risk to the mother or baby if the intended mother attempted to become pregnant herself.There are a number of reasons why people may be considering surrogacy, such as: A woman is unable to become pregnant or carry a baby for medical reasons. For example, she may have had surgery to remove her uterus (hysterectomy) is missing part of her uterus or the lining of her uterus has been damaged pregnancy may be a risk to her or the child’s health due to a medical condition (e.g. heart problems, cystic fibrosis) she may have experienced multiple miscarriages repeated IVF attempts have failed. A same-sex couple (male or female) or individual may want to have a child conceived using their own sperm or eggs and donor sperm or eggs. A couple who are involved in an IVF treatment program may have embryos in storage and, if in the event that the woman dies, the male partner may wish to commission a surrogate to carry and give birth to a child.Victorian surrogacy processThe process outlined below provides a guide to surrogacy arrangements in Victoria. There is some degree of flexibility, depending on your fertility specialist and the clinic you attend.1. Considering surrogacySurrogacy involves a number of complex legal, financial, medical, practical and emotional considerations.Surrogacy arrangements can be expensive. It is illegal for a surrogate to be paid or gain material benefit from a surrogacy arrangement. However, reasonable expenses and costs (medical, legal, counselling and travel expenses incurred as a result of the pregnancy and birth) should be covered by the intended parent(s). All parties should agree on the reasonable expenses. As it can be a significant financial obligation, intended parent(s) should prepare a budget.Medicare does not currently subsidise the costs of surrogacy in Australia. This is largely due to the inability of surrogates to satisfy the eligibility criteria for Medicare which states that a treating doctor must declare that the procedure is ‘medically necessary’ for the woman undergoing treatment which, in this case, is the surrogate. This means costs for treatment are passed on to the intended parent(s). Refer to clinic websites for more information about costs. The medical risks involved in surrogacy are similar to the risks of other fertility treatments, including: Effects on the child born as a result of treatment. Effects on the egg provider. The woman who receives fertility drugs to stimulate the production of eggs may experience side effects, including hot flushes, feelings of depression or irritation, headaches and restlessness. There is also the small risk of ovarian hyper-stimulation syndrome (OHSS), which can cause stomach pains, nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath and faintness. Effects on the surrogate. Pregnancy and birth associated risks include the development of high blood pressure and gestational diabetes, bleeding, and needing a caesarean section. Risks increase with the age of the surrogate. Other. There is the rare risk of transfer of HIV and/or hepatitis. To eliminate this risk, mandatory screening of everyone involved in surrogacy is required. To enhance safety, embryos may be ‘quarantined’ for six months (depending on your clinic), at the end of which, the people who provided the gametes have repeat blood tests.For more detail about the medical risks involved in surrogacy, please consult your doctor or fertility specialist.2. Getting startedFor intended parents considering surrogacy, there are a number of ways to get started, beginning with an initial consultation to decide if surrogacy is the best option for you. talk to your GP who may refer you to a fertility specialist contact a registered fertility clinic to organise a fertility specialist consultation ask your current fertility specialist.Intended parent(s) should also consider: letting family/friends know that surrogacy is your only option asking family or friends for help seeking a surrogate online (through surrogacy support groups or online forums). It is illegal to publish an advertisement or notice; or attempt to publicly seek a surrogate. Fertility clinics cannot advertise on your behalf. You are not allowed to pay a surrogate other than prescribed costsWomen wanting to be a surrogate should know that it is illegal to publicly indicate willingness to act as a surrogate.3. Medical assessmentBoth the surrogate and intended parent(s) need to undergo a medical assessment with a fertility specialist. The consultation includes: checking eligibility and medical suitability of the surrogacy arrangement blood tests to check for infection including Hepatitis and HIV discussing the medical risks.4. CounsellingAll parties, including the intended parent(s), surrogate and surrogate's partner (if any) must undertake counselling (separate and joint sessions) and an independent psychological assessment. If donor gamete(s) are used, the donor and donor’s partner (if any) will also have to undertake counselling. This allows an opportunity to: discuss the advantages and disadvantages of surrogacy explore potential issues which may arise ensure everyone feels comfortable to go ahead.You can find out more details about counselling session discussions from ANZICA counselling guidelines.5. Get independent legal adviceSurrogacy raises a range of legal issues. While there is no formal requirement for separate legal advice, a conflict of interest may arise if one lawyer advises all parties. All parties entering a surrogacy arrangement in Victoria need to do so with full knowledge of the consequences should a dispute arise. You should receive legal advice on the following matters: legal status of the child when born need for the intended parent(s) to apply to the court for a substitute parentage order timelines for making an application arrangements if there is a medical emergency for the child.In surrogacy arrangements it is important to: be aware of and understand the personal and legal consequences be able to make informed decisions about proceeding be prepared for consequences if the arrangement does not go ahead as planned.The domestic surrogacy arrangement legal checklist can get you started with some key questions that all parties should ask before agreeing to enter.6. Write a surrogacy agreementA surrogacy agreement is a written document that clarifies all parties' wishes, expectations and responsibilities. The Finding a surrogate brochure and the domestic surrogacy arrangement legal checklist are a useful starting point for this.Legally drawn-up surrogacy agreements can be very costly and are not mandatory in Victoria, largely because it is difficult to anticipate every potential issue or circumstance that may arise throughout a surrogacy arrangement. Some form of surrogacy agreement is recommended, as it helps formalise consensus on issues and can be useful for demonstrating informed consent or resolving disputes if they arise later in the process. Your counsellor can help in drawing up documentation.When establishing a surrogacy arrangement, all parties should agree on the surrogacy costs that are to be reimbursed to the surrogate. The surrogacy agreement should reflect these decisions, and the expenses and costs that will be reimbursed to the surrogate should be clearly worded. These may include: medical expenses associated with the pregnancy or birth (doctors’ fees, medication, medical scans, etc.) costs of legal advice and counselling necessary to satisfy the requirements for approval by the Patient Review Panel, or prior to obtaining a substitute parentage order travel expenses that are incurred in relation to the pregnancy or birth.7. Apply for a surrogacy arrangementIn Victoria, the Patient Review Panel (PRP) must approve the surrogacy arrangement before it proceeds. Applications to the panel are initiated by lodging an application form, which is to be completed by all parties including the intended parent(s), the surrogate and her partner (if any). Where a donor is used, the donor(s) and their partner (if any) should also complete the form.On receiving the application form, the PRP will promptly notify the applicant of the hearing date. PRP hearings are held with as little formality as possible. Hearings are held in confidence and are closed to the general public. To date, all applications for surrogacy have been approved.The PRP may approve a surrogacy arrangement if satisfied that: all parties have received counselling and legal advice the surrogacy arrangement is altruistic. the intended parent(s): are infertile or unable to carry a baby or give birth, including social infertility, or there is a likely medical risk to the mother or baby if the intended mother attempted to become pregnant herself. The surrogate: is at least 25 years old has previously given birth to a live child does not use her own eggs in the surrogacy arrangement. All parties, including the intended parent(s), the surrogate and the surrogate’s partner (if any) have received counselling and independent legal advice. If a donor is also involved, they will also need to have counselling and may need to seek legal advice also.The panel must inform an applicant of its decision within 14 days after hearing the application. A copy of the certificate will be forwarded to the applicant’s treating clinic. If the certificate states that there is no barrier to treatment, then treatment can proceed. It should be noted, however, that clinics are not obliged to provide treatment to the applicant even if the certificate states that treatment may proceed.8. Apply for a substitute parentage orderFor Victorian surrogacy arrangementsIn Victoria, as the birth mother, the surrogate (and partner, if any) will legally be recognised as the parent(s) of the child and recorded on the birth certificate. The intended parent(s) can apply to the Supreme or County Court for a substitute parentage order if the child was conceived as a result of a treatment procedure in Victoria and if the intended parent(s) lives in Victoria at the time of making the application. A substitute parentage order will name the intended parent(s) as the legal parent(s). An application for a substitute parentage order must be made no less than 28 days and no more than six months after the child is born. The court may make a substitute parentage order if it is satisfied that: making the order is in the best interests of the child if the surrogacy arrangement was organised with the assistance of a Victorian registered fertility clinic, that the PRP approved the surrogacy arrangement before it was entered into if the surrogacy arrangement was organised without the assistance of a clinic, the surrogate mother was at least 25 years of age before entering the surrogacy arrangement, and both counselling and information about the legal consequences of making a substitute parentage order were obtained the child is living with the intended parent(s) at the time the application is made the surrogate (and her partner, if any) did not received any material benefit from the surrogacy arrangement the surrogate (and her partner, if any) freely consents to the order.For interstate surrogacy arrangementsAs of 2014, children born in Victoria through an altruistic surrogacy arrangement in another Australian state or territory (except the Northern Territory) can have their parentage legally recognised.Victoria's Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages can amend the birth registration of a child conceived under an interstate surrogacy arrangement, once certain requirements are met. These requirements include a Victorian registration order being made by the County Court or Supreme Court, and a corresponding surrogacy parentage order being obtained from the other Australian state or territory. The Registrar will then change the child's birth record to name the intended parent(s) as the child's parents and issue a new birth certificate. The legislation ensures that Victorian legal requirements for surrogacy and assisted reproductive treatment cannot be ignored. Parents seeking a Victorian court order for surrogacy arrangements entered into after Victorian surrogacy laws were in place will need to show that they had a genuine connection to the state or territory in which the child was conceived and that they did not move to that location in order to avoid Victorian surrogacy laws. For surrogacy arrangements entered into before Victorian surrogacy laws were in place, parents will only need to show that the order is in the best interests of the child.International surrogacyInternational surrogacy process1. Considering surrogacyInternational surrogacy is complex. Given the many benefits of Australian arrangements, prospective parents should consider surrogacy locally first. It is important for you to seek as much information as possible before getting started.While treatment may sometimes appear cheaper overseas, it is important to consider all financial implications including travel and medical insurance, clinic costs and unexpected expenses. These may include: costs associated with delays and complications additional medical expenses not covered as part of the treatment administrative costs for citizenship and immigration once the child is born extended stays if immigration issues are protracted. If there is a multiple pregnancy there is a higher chance that the babies could be born prematurely and may need neonatal intensive care for a prolonged period. You may want to seek specialist financial advice about this possibility.2. Getting independent legal adviceIt is essential to find out about the laws on surrogacy in your state or territory. While Victorian law does not prevent residents from travelling overseas for surrogacy (gestational or traditional), it is strongly advised that you seek independent specialist legal advice before you enter into an international surrogacy arrangement. It is important that the legal issues of immigration, citizenship, and recognition of parentage are clarified for both your country of origin and the country where treatment is sought.International surrogacy arrangement legal checklistAustralian Government Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade - International Surrogacy3. Have a fertility assessmentBefore undertaking international surrogacy arrangements, intended parent(s) should have a thorough assessment by a fertility specialist to understand if it is the best option. Men (single or same-sex couples) should have a sperm test performed before starting treatment.Local fertility treatment may be suitable depending on individual circumstances.4. Choosing an overseas clinic and applying for approvals if neededIn deciding where to seek treatment overseas, it is important that you fully understand the clinic's or agency's practices, including: Accreditation. How is the clinic certified and what are the qualifications of the staff who work there? Recruitment. How does the clinic recruit and select surrogates (including medical and psychological screening)? Care for surrogates. This includes their policies on informed consent, counselling, pregnancy and delivery care, as well as verified payment. Identification of gametes/embryos. How will they ensure that the correct embryos are transferred? What precautions and procedures are in place to ensure accurate recording and labelling? The number of embryos to be transferred. There are much higher risks to the babies of miscarriage, premature birth, illness, disability and even death if more than one embryo is transferred. Storage and transport of eggs, sperm or embryos. If you have eggs, sperm or embryos in storage in Victoria and wish to move them overseas, you will need to contact the clinic where your eggs, sperm or embryos are stored to arrange transport to another country. If you would like to export donor eggs, donor sperm or embryos formed from donor eggs or sperm, you will need to apply to VARTA for approval to export donated material to another country. VARTA must be able to determine that the way in which the eggs, sperm or embryos will be used overseas is consistent with the way in which they could be used in Victoria before approval is granted. Neonatal care. What medical care is available if your baby needs it? Information about the surrogate and any egg/sperm donors, including medical history. This is likely to be very important information for the child. Contact with the surrogate and any egg/sperm donors. What provisions exist for further information to be provided about the surrogate, or for a relationship to continue between the intended parent(s), the child and the surrogate, egg or sperm donors, if this is wanted by all parties?The Patient & Physician Prompter provides a more detailed list of questions to ask doctors and clinics.5. Write a surrogacy agreementThe potential for information exchange, and or a continuing relationship, between the parties will depend on where the surrogacy arrangement takes place and the agency organising it.It is recommended that intended parent(s) ask agencies for information about the surrogate (and donor, if any), including medical history, and whether ongoing contact is possible and document arrangements in a surrogacy agreement. Surrogacy support organisations may offer advice for establishing a successful relationship with a surrogate (and donor, if any) internationally.

Read more on Victorian Assisted Reproductive Treatment Authority website

Surrogacy

Surrogacy is one of the many options to have a child. Learn what surrogacy is, the types of surrogacy and the legalities of surrogacy in Australia.

Read more on Pregnancy, Birth & Baby website

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