Echo Gray

Holistic Options and Postpartum healing (Plus some useful Portuguese words and phrases) Midwife-Led Care This is very common in Portugal. Parteiras or Enfermeiras Especialistas (midwives) are the primary care providers for low-risk women during labor and delivery, especially in public hospitals. There is little to no need to advocate for a midwife, as they will most likely be provided for you. A doctor will typically only be present if there are complications or the pregnancy/birth is high...

Paperwork and Labor & Delivery Hospital Bag Documents When you go into labor, the last thing you want to think about is documents, so make sure you prep early and have all these ready for when you head to the hospital or birthing facility. Keep them in a clear, labeled folder in your hospital bag. But keep them with a trusted individual like a birth partner or doula. Do not let them leave your room. Medical Documents Document Purpose Notes Boletim de Saúde da Grávida (BSG) Your primary...

Healthcare System and Prenatal Care Decoding Portuguese Healthcare Two Paths: SNS vs. Private In Portugal, there are two options when it comes to healthcare. You can enroll in public health care, Serviço Nacional de Saúde (SNS), or private healthcare. Public Health Care is available to all residents of Portugal. EU citizens can access services through the European Health Insurance Card, or you can register for SNS once you become a resident. If you are not an EU citizen, you can still...