Giving birth in Mexico - key information for making a decision - Giving birth in Mexico

In recent years, giving birth abroad has become very popular among young families from Russia, Ukraine and other countries. Some are attracted by the quality of foreign medicine, others seek to give their child a second citizenship, and with it — and a confident future. Some were already planning to leave for permanent residence, while others, already living abroad, were simply looking for a more comfortable country for themselves and their children.

Childbirth in Mexico can satisfy all these needs. Here we present some important points that will help you decide whether to go to Mexico to give birth. Please take into account the articles linked to in this material. In them we reveal the details of the moments needed by those who are planning to come to Mexico to give birth.

The main information in this article relates to childbirth in Cancun and the Riviera Maya. Criteria in other regions of Mexico may differ.

Benefits of giving birth in Mexico

• Every child born in Mexico automatically has the right to become a citizen of this state. This is the so-called «law of the soil».

Mexico does not prohibit dual citizenship. Child — a Mexican citizen in addition has the opportunity to be a citizen of another country or even several countries. He can acquire the citizenship of his parents' state.

The Russian Federation allows you to have two or more citizenships; for this reason, being a citizen of Mexico and Russia at the same time does not present any problems.

Ukraine also allows people to have citizenships other than Ukrainian.

Belarus, Kazakhstan and a number of other countries do not recognize citizenships other than their own, but do not prohibit them either. At least, there is no penalty for having a second citizenship, and it is almost impossible to lose the citizenship of these countries for having citizenship of another country.

Questions may arise when a child obtains citizenship of the parents' country using a birth certificate issued in Mexico. But the child receives citizenship in his native country based on the application of the parents — citizens of that power (or one parent), and claims to the second citizenship of the child acquired by birth are not possible until he comes of age.

Under any circumstances, in relations with the state of which you are a citizen, you always remain a citizen of only this state. So, a second Mexican citizenship gives you wide options only outside the country of your first citizenship.

• Following the child, all members of his family can obtain Mexican citizenship

After a child born in Mexico has received all the documents and has become a citizen of this state, all members of his family can apply for the same citizenship. This includes parents, siblings, and grandparents on both sides.

Obtaining Mexican citizenship follows an accelerated procedure through the mechanism of acquiring a permanent residence permit, and then naturalization. The process takes more than two years, but the main thing is to start the process. About this — below.

• Relatively low cost of childbirth in Mexico

Typically, the total costs of childbirth can be estimated using three main indicators:

• • flight to Mexico
  • prenatal and postnatal support, childbirth
  • cost of living and organization of life

We will talk separately about the structure and cost of childbirth costs in Mexico. You can add here or not add the tariff for the services of intermediaries who will do part of the work for you. In particular, they will go with you to all the doctors, arrange examinations, help organize your daily life and draw up paperwork for the child and resident status for the parents.

By most of these indicators, the overall cost of childbirth in Mexico will be significantly lower than in many other countries that allow you to choose to have a child. Especially when compared, say, with the USA.

Even if you choose the most expensive Cancun clinics and medical experts, the cost of giving birth in Mexico will be at least half that of the US. In addition, the USA requires a visa ($185), and Mexico — No.

The high cost of flying to Mexico doesn't seem that high when you consider that you more than make up for it due to the low cost of living in the country during childbirth and obtaining high-quality medical services at reasonable prices.

• Excellent level of medicine in Mexico

The relatively low cost of childbirth in Mexico does not mean a low level of medicine. In recent years, Mexico has emerged as one of the world's major medical tourism destinations, with Cancun becoming the center of birth tourism in Mexico. Foreign companies, primarily American ones, have invested considerable funds in the creation of medical centers in Cancun, certified according to Western standards, with high-quality medical equipment and consultants who have all the necessary skills and competencies for safe childbirth and are constantly improving their qualifications, including in the United States.

The level of medicine in Mexico is generally quite high. If you need professionals of any other profile, you can easily find them here. The permanent residence of a significant number of Americans and Canadians in Mexico also encourages private clinics to offer top-level medical services and have English-speaking staff.

Read about other benefits of living in Mexico in thisarticle.

Preparation of papers

An important point: before arriving in Mexico for childbirth, you must have basic documents prepared. All birth certificates of parents and close relatives of the future newborn (who then want to obtain permanent residence in Mexico), as well as the parents’ marriage certificate, must be apostilled.

Apostille certification of documents is permitted only in the country that issued them, or even only in the authority that issued them. In Ukraine, affixing an apostille to birth and marriage certificates is allowed in the main regional department of the Ministry of Justice; in Russia — in the registry office where these documents were issued. In Mexico, it is not possible to apostille foreign documents.

But you should not translate documentation into Spanish before arriving in Mexico. Translations made abroad, even notarized ones, are not accepted in Mexico.

In addition, it is recommended to take with you the medical card of the expectant mother if this card contains important information for Mexican doctors. Key entries should be translated into Spanish without certification.

It should also be taken into account that pharmaceutical prescriptions issued in Ukraine or Russia are not accepted in Mexican pharmacies. However, if there are prescriptions, the Mexican doctor will be able to write his own prescription.

What documents should you obtain before traveling to Mexico for childbirth, you will learn from thismaterial.

Spanish

Everyone in Mexico speaks Spanish. But Cancun and the entire Riviera Maya — This is not your typical Mexico. It is a very cosmopolitan and very touristy region, where many people speak English. Here it is not difficult to find a doctor, midwife or driver who speaks English.

Russian is spoken only among Russians. Among your compatriots you can find a Russian-speaking nanny, but there is not a single Russian-speaking pediatrician, lawyer or immigration officer.

To visit doctors or government offices, it is allowed to hire an interpreter on an hourly basis — only when you need it. The rest of the time you will have to make do on your own. But believe me, in Mexico no one will judge you even when you express yourself on your fingers.

How much does it cost to give birth in Mexico?

The cost of giving birth in Mexico greatly depends on your appetite, tolerance and the various options you choose. The figures given are quite approximate.

We deliberately do not provide a general estimate so that you do not get the wrong idea about the final cost. But if you hear that «no one comes to Mexico without money», — they're still arriving! And it is possible to give birth here quite inexpensively.

Flight

It is most comfortable to fly to Mexico (Cancun) from Russia with direct flights of Azur Air, Nordwind and Royal Flight. You can get acquainted with airline flight standards here.page. The price for such a flight is — from $1000 round trip. The lowest prices are for upcoming flights, and you can almost always buy inexpensive tickets. First you will have to buy a ticket to Mexico separately, then — back. Under any circumstances, buying tickets in both directions at once is not entirely prudent.

In addition, you can get to Mexico with a transfer in Europe, and if you have an American visa, then through the USA. Flights through the USA will be cheaper than a direct charter from Moscow, and through Europe — more expensive.

Tickets must be purchased to arrive in Mexico before the 32nd week of pregnancy; this is the wish of most airlines, but not a requirement.

Read about the peculiarities of air travel for pregnant womenHere.

Let us add that the fear that a pregnant woman has the right not to be allowed into Mexico is completely unfounded. Mexico never prohibits people from coming to give birth. Mexican immigration officers never deny entry on the basis of pregnancy.

Household organization

We can talk forever about what and how much it will cost in Mexico. The country is capable of providing any standard of living depending on your needs and your wallet.

Renting a home

Renting a simple two-bedroom apartment in downtown Cancun will cost from 7 to 10 thousand MXN ($360-510) per month, plus a deposit equal to the monthly rent. These will not be luxury apartments, but they will not be shabby housing either. In principle, for 12 thousand pesos in Cancun you can even find a whole house, albeit without furniture, or more expensively and with furniture (16-18 thousand pesos), but in remote new areas, quite cozy and safe.

In the Hotel Zone of Cancun, prices will start from 12 thousand MXN for a simple two-bedroom apartment, but at this price you still need to look. The upper price level is practically unlimited. In the Hotel Zone there is a low supply of budget housing, and the desire to live exclusively near the sea certainly arises among all visitors.

Anyone who comes to give birth in Cancun is most often offered housing in complexes where prices start from MXN 20-25 thousand per apartment. Moreover, with all the external surroundings, it will not be the most spacious housing, and the costs of utilities are also not low. It is more rational to rent an entire house in more remote guarded complexes.

In Playa del Carmen you can find housing cheaper than in Cancun, not counting the Playacar area.

Additionally, you will have to pay bills for electricity, water, gas and Internet, but these are not catastrophic amounts at all.

You can find housing on your own or contact a realtor. A big plus of independent search — a much larger selection of options, not to mention the ability to adjust to your budget. We strongly advise against signing any documents related to housing until you see it yourself and compare it with other available options. The supply of rental housing in Cancun and the Riviera Maya is not just large, but huge and practically independent of the season.

Important question — It is most often impossible to find housing at a good price for a rental period of less than 6 months. However, you probably shouldn’t do it for a shorter period.

How to find housing in Mexico on your own, read ourarticle.

Car rental

Here, the pricing policy also depends only on your needs. On average, the car rental rate will be $700-1200 per month (from $15 per day), plus a deposit of $500-1000 depending on the class of the car.

You have the right to rent a car at a rental office or from a private person.

Find those who offer car rental in Mexico are allowedHere.

We will soon publish our tips on renting a car in a separate article. Let us add that it is often more profitable to buy a car upon arrival in Mexico and sell it before leaving. This is a fairly simple operation available to guest states. When selling, you will lose a maximum of 30-35% of the car's original cost, however, this will be less than if you paid for its rental.

How and where to buy a used car in Mexico, readHere.

Buying what you need

According to our observations, the average price background in Mexico is noticeably lower than in Russia, but slightly higher or close to that in Ukraine. At the same time, the Mexican market is significantly saturated with goods and services, and it is much easier to buy everything you need here.

Any medications, stroller and crib, baby food, hygiene items — everything you need for a mother and her baby can be bought in Mexico, and often much cheaper than in Russia.

Most goods can be purchased in online stores, including supermarket chain stores, with home delivery. There is a much wider selection of products online, and prices are often lower or the same as in brick-and-mortar stores. The most popular shopping site —Mercado Libre. It is possible to pay with cards from foreign banks or in cash through the OXXO chain of stores; purchases here are absolutely safe, and delivery is as fast as possible.

Many who come to Mexico for childbirth then sell things in Russian-speaking groups on Facebook: you can buy inexpensive cribs, strollers and baby things here. It is unlikely that you will be able to rent these items, but in these groups it is quite possible to ask those who no longer need them to give them away.

Food

If you buy food and cook it yourself, in Mexico it is completely normal to spend $500 on food, for two people. And this is far from «poor» budget.

The easiest and cheapest way to buy food is in large chain supermarkets. Both American (Walmart, Costco, Sams) and local retail chains (Soriana, Chedraui and others) are widely represented in Mexico. Cancun does not have representative markets at all, there are almost none, and the quality and prices of food are the same as in supermarkets.

You will be disappointed, but there is not a single «Russian» restaurant or cafe. If you are used to «Slavic» homemade food and do not want to cook yourself, you have the opportunity to order ready-made meals from compatriots who specialize in providing such a service. Their contacts can be found in thissectionour site.

Childbirth

Choosing a doctor

Choosing a doctor, like choosing a clinic for childbirth — These are completely optional requirements, although it is highly advisable to undergo an examination by a Mexican gynecologist upon arrival. A doctor can be invited to a birth either in (almost) any clinic or at home. If this is necessary, the doctor will assemble a team of colleagues that you need.

Often you can get by with the services of a midwife who assists during childbirth and records the fact of the birth of the child. Midwives in Mexico are not uncertified. Midwife's choice — no less important point than choosing a doctor. You can invite a midwife to your home, but many of them have their own fully equipped rooms, which are considered as an alternative to clinics.

Read ourpublicationabout doulas and midwives in Mexico.

You can choose a doctor based on the recommendations of those who have already given birth in Mexico — Similar topics are widely discussed on forums. Many doctors have their own websites on the Internet, their prices for childbirth management are available, and if you speak Spanish or English, you can make an appointment with the doctor before arriving in Mexico. Many private doctors rent offices in clinics, but this does not bind them to service only in this clinic.

You choose which doctor and when to see. Do you consider it necessary not to go — don't go. It is not necessary to conclude an agreement with a doctor — you can pay for each appointment and then for the birth.

In Cancun and Playa del Carmen, the choice of gynecologists is very large; contact information for most doctors can be foundHere.

Before giving birth, it is advisable to undergo an examination, tests and ultrasound to be sure that everything is going well. As we said, it is also desirable to have the results of examinations done back home.

Rate. Each doctor's visit will cost about 400 — 900 MXN, cheaper in public clinics, more expensive — in private consultations. At the same time, good consultants can be both here and there. Three consultations before delivery are usually recommended, but depend on the patient's condition.

Tests and ultrasound can cost 1200 — 2300 MXN at a time, depends on the clinic or laboratory. In most cases, the tests contain general biometry, blood pressure, general urine analysis and 3-6 blood biochemistry indicators; the cheapest package will cost 299 MXN. At the Genuit clinic, ultrasound is estimated at 750 MXN. Often the doctor recommends his own laboratory, but you can choose a cheaper one. Quite often, ultrasound machines are available in the doctor’s office.

The services of a doctor during childbirth very much depend on the level and name of the professional, as well as on what is included in the package of his services. It is difficult to derive average numbers here. There are doctors who charge 5,000 MXN for childbirth (1 day), and there are also 30,000 MXN. With a caesarean section, the price can increase by another 20-30 percent.

We also recommend agreeing with a specialist or clinic on a list of what you will need during childbirth.

Choosing a clinic

To give birth to a child in Mexico, it is not at all necessary to use the services of a clinic or even a team of doctors. Home birth — a fairly common practice even among foreigners who come to give birth in Mexico.

You can read about the peculiarities of home births in Mexico in thispublications.

There are no specialized maternity hospitals in Mexico; giving birth is allowed in almost any clinic where there are standards for this. Childbirth is carried out in 1 day, after which the young mother and child are discharged. 2 days or longer — this is already in special cases. Sometimes even with a caesarean section they are discharged every other day.

The range of services in different clinics may differ, but even in public clinics there are all the conditions for normal childbirth. However, we will not advise giving birth in very little-known hospitals.

Everyone who flies to give birth in Cancun under contracts with companies organizing childbirth is taken to the most expensive and largest clinics — these are Amerimed and Galenia. Probably because “they don’t come to Mexico without money.” But in fact, in Cancun there are about 10 clinics that are simpler and cheaper, where they will deliver births no less professionally. Hospiten, Azura Cancún (Victoria), Quirúrgica del Sur, Presbyterians, Nazareth, Morelos, Genuit, etc. — They may look very small, but the size does not affect the «filling».

Any VIP service does not provide any benefits other than the surroundings. The doctors will be the same, the services (the range of which you choose yourself) and the equipment will be the same, except that the ward is larger.

You must understand that you can give birth at home, but you can only find a good clinic in Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Puerto Morelos, Tulum if you choose to give birth on the Caribbean coast of Mexico. That is, in relatively developed cities.

Price. From 6000 to 20000 MXN in 1 day. For example, at the Victoria clinic, a natural birth (1 day) costs 11,500 MXN, with a caesarean section (2 days) — 17800 MXN; Amerimed has a natural birth — 16,000 MXN, and cesarean birth — 20000 MXM. Moreover, some have less «promoted» In clinics, prices can be much higher, and the range of services is filled with completely unnecessary options. You can often look at prices on clinic websites. Thus, Galenia Hospital in January 2020 offered a 20% discount on its «maternity» package services.

The cost of childbirth in clinics is most often packaged (basic) and does not include expenses for unforeseen situations. Sometimes these costs can be very significant. If you have a medical requirement, you may be asked to pay a deposit, which will be used if such an emergency occurs and will be returned to you if such an emergency does not occur. In the hospital, before giving birth, you will have to sign a number of papers, only after that the doctors will be able to provide you with medical services.

Contacts of all major clinics can be found in the publication «10 clinicsfor childbirth in Cancun».

Natural birth or caesarean section

Mexico — fifth in the world with the highest proportion of caesarean sections at birth. It is generally accepted that in Mexico, caesarean sections are performed on everyone indiscriminately. Because it’s faster, there are fewer complications and so that the expectant mother does not experience pain.

In 2018, 46.2% of Mexican women gave birth by cesarean section. The indicator proposed by the World Health Organization — up to 15%. At the same time, Mexican families do not have one or even two children. Here you need to take into account that most Mexican women give birth at home in the presence of a midwife, and not in private clinics, in other words, if you take only births in clinics, the percentage of births with cesarean section will be much higher.

The main prerequisites for a caesarean section are usually considered to be:

• physiological and anatomical factors from both the mother and the fetus — there are quite a few of them, ranging from a narrow pelvis and various pathologies of the mother to a large or incorrectly positioned child in the womb;
• risks of postpartum complications;
• fear of the expectant mother before childbirth;
• the need for a quick birth.

Unlike Ukraine or Russia, in Mexico they do not consider that a caesarean section — emergency operation. We wrote above that during childbirth, no one is kept in clinics for more than a day. The non-option to give birth during the day is already considered as a prerequisite for the operation. After a caesarean section they can keep you for up to 3 days, but that’s another money. At the same time, it is believed that the main reason for cesarean section — the financial interest of doctors is also incorrect. Mexican health care has strict protocols regarding childbirth, and if the doctor at the clinic considers that there is a risk to the health of the mother or child, he will decide on a caesarean section. Medical statistics indicate that since the widespread introduction of Caesarean sections in Mexico, female mortality and postpartum complications have decreased significantly. Mexican women themselves also regard caesarean sections as normal.

Usually, after the next examination, if there are instructions, the doctor suggests a cesarean section; at the same time, it is even allowed to choose the date of birth, rather than wait for contractions. Most gynecologists are pre-prepared for a cesarean section. You have the right to warn the doctor about refusing a cesarean section. But if at the clinic the doctor suspects complications, «turns on» the same medical protocol, and you will undergo surgery. For this reason, most clinics notify the expectant mother in advance of this possibility and charge an advance payment, taking into account the possibility of a cesarean section. If there was no operation, its cost is returned.

You have the opportunity to change the doctor who recommends a cesarean section before giving birth, or insist on a natural birth, despite the doctor's beliefs. At the same time, you should have the option to assess all the risks that may arise during childbirth. Recent studies show that Mexican women's consent to have a caesarean section is not due to the privilege of the doctor or clinic to make such a decision, but to the expectant mother's lack of understanding that she can give birth differently.

After childbirth

Immediately after birth, the newborn will be given an injection of vitamin K. Next, a blood test will be required to check for congenital pathologies, and in addition, vaccinations. You can agree on this with the hospital where you gave birth, or you can ask your gynecologist to arrange this. Vaccinations are optional and range from no charge to MXN 1,000 each (two are required after birth). Mexico even has a wholeplanwhat vaccinations and when should a child have?

You will need a pediatrician, whose choice does not need to be as scrupulous as choosing a gynecologist. There are a lot of pediatricians in Cancun. Even if the child is healthy and you have already had vaccinations, a visit to the pediatrician is necessary for a formality: take a certificate (2 copies) for the further acquisition of a Mexican passport for the child and registration of the child’s citizenship of the parents’ country.

Rate. There are very «budget» pediatricians, from 200 pesos per appointment, but there is always a large queue of local residents. The average price for an appointment with a private pediatrician in Cancun is — from 700 MXM.

We have collected contacts of pediatricians in Cancun and Playa del CarmenHere.

Procedure for purchasing papers for a child

The issue of completing documentation for the child, parents and relatives — one of the key points in the entire process of organizing childbirth in Mexico. It is no secret that the prospect of obtaining a second citizenship is the main incentive to choose Mexico as a country to have a child.

Mexican citizenship for a child born in Mexico is granted fairly quickly. To obtain Ukrainian or Russian citizenship, you will have to fly to the consular department in Mexico City.

We have described in detail the sequence of preparing Mexican papers for a child.Here, and the procedure for a child to obtain citizenship of the parents’ state — in thisarticle.

The sequence of actions when obtaining citizenship of Mexico and the state of the parents for a child is as follows:

• obtain a birth certificate from a clinic or midwife,
• have your parents' birth certificates and marriage certificates translated into Spanish by a sworn translator (if necessary),
• obtain a child's birth certificate,
• put an apostille on the birth certificate,
• make certified copies (at least 2) of the birth certificate,
• find CURP,
• purchase a vaccination card (optional),
• obtain a confirmation certificate from a pediatrician,
• purchase a Mexican passport,
• translate the birth certificate into Ukrainian, Russian, etc.,
• prepare the citizenship of the parents’ state and obtain a foreign passport of this country.

Total price for the above operations without overhead: approximately MXN 3000 ($150) — government fees and charges, pediatrician's certificate, +$70 — consular fees for Ukraine, +$75-105 — consular fees for Russia.

The key document you will need to receive after childbirth is — your baby's birth certificate. In Cancunsixregistro civil offices (registry offices), where this is allowed, and it is not necessary to stand in line at the central one.

Some of these operations can be done in parallel. In addition, it does not matter which passport to apply for first. If it is possible to prepare Mexican citizenship for a child quite quickly, in just a week, then it will take up to 2 months to obtain citizenship and a passport of the parents’ country.

Procedure for completing documentation for family members

Once a newborn Mexican citizen has entered the family, his parents, minor siblings, and grandparents can establish permanent residence in this country. Permanent residence — This is a fast track to Mexican citizenship.

It is not necessary for all family members to obtain permanent residence in Mexico at once. This can be done individually and at any time, and the process can be started both outside Mexico and while already in the country.

How to prepare permanent residence in Mexico for parents and relatives of a child born in Mexico is described in thisarticle.

It is allowed to begin the process of acquiring permanent residence in Mexico immediately after the child is granted Mexican citizenship. Since 2021, obtaining a permanent residence permit upon the birth of a child at the offices of the National Institute of Migration throughout the country takes no more than 2 weeks, only in some cases — up to a month. Attracting various «assistants» does not guarantee acceleration of the process of obtaining a residence permit.

Price for purchasing permanent residence after the birth of a child (state fees) in 2025: 8569 MXN ($440) per person, if you have not exceeded the permitted period of stay in Mexico.

See current tariffs for services of the Mexican Migration ServiceHere.

General terms

Very roughly, the total length of stay in Mexico for those who fly here for childbirth can be estimated as follows:

• before birth: 2 months (8 weeks),
• process of acquiring Mexican citizenship for a child: 0.5 months (1-2 weeks),
• purchase of other papers, including permanent residence for parents and relatives: 1 month.

Since 2020, the process of acquiring immigration papers has accelerated significantly, and now all documents can be processed and received within 2 months (what we called «purchase of remaining documents»).

At the same time, as we wrote, living in Mexico has its benefits. You may not want to leave here.

What else to do

In Mexico, you have the right to live your normal life. This means that you don’t have to give up anything you’re used to in your home country. You can lead a normal life, meet and communicate with other compatriots, send your children to school, travel, do your favorite things… And be sure to relax and enjoy the sea and sun!

We have compiled a database of experts whose services you will need during your stay in Mexico. Here is just a small list of such services:

• photographers,
• Spanish language teaching,
• organization of tours and excursions,
• hairdressing services,
• manicure and pedicure,
• cosmetology, face and body care,
• homework,
• car repair.

Contacts of various specialists providing services in Mexico can be found in thissection.

So, come give birth to Mexico! We are sure that this country will bring happiness to you and your baby!