It has been a largely growing trend that young Egyptian mothers go to the US to give birth. Is it for the nationality, safety and convenience or maybe future plans? We talk to some real women who have been through this to find out the inside scoop!
Sarah El Guindy
“All I was thinking about was my child’s education, especially that I gave birth during a very unstable time in Egypt” – Sarah El Guindy
Plans
Deciding to give birth in the US seems like something that would take time to plan, Zohour El Fiky a Market Research Manager knows this too well, “Many of our family members have done this already in other countries, knowing the benefits I wanted my daughter to have the best education opportunities, I wanted to make her life easier.” On the other hand, Sarah Sameh, a Customer Support Technician, had a different experience, she tells us “I traveled during my ninth month of pregnancy, it was my parents that pushed me to do it, so my child would get better education opportunities, job opportunities and travel around easier”. Norhan Sherif has only done this with one of her children, “I wasn’t able to do it for my first daughter, so I started planning it for my son early on. My brother lives there so it was easy, I also saw the benefits that he has since he has the citizenship and I wanted that for my child”, she tells.
“I feel like it’s a bit too much now, but then again, as parents we would do anything for a better future for our children.” – Zohour El Fiky
Benefits
Delivering your child in the US has some obvious benefits like getting the nationality; Sarah El Guindy, mother of 2 year old Mansour tell us about that, “All I was thinking about was my child’s education, especially that I gave birth during a very unstable time in Egypt”. Norhan says “There are many benefits, education, health insurance, university and of course giving birth there is much better, hospitals there are very luxurious and more efficient.”
“It was my parents that pushed me to do it, so my child would get better education opportunities, job opportunities and travel around easier” – Sarah Sameh
A Trend?
It is without doubt that traveling to the US to deliver has been rapidly increasing in the recent years. Is it really for the benefits, or is it just a trend? Zohour explains her feelings on the matter, “I feel like it’s a bit too much now, but then again, as parents we would do anything for a better future for our children. However, one day they will ask themselves why do we have a different nationality, and we as parents would have to explain”. Norhan, on the other hand, feels that it is a trend of some sort, “yes I have noticed that, some people do it for no real reason, they don’t even know the real benefits other than getting the nationality”, she tells. Sarah El Guindy agrees, “I can see that it’s a trend, some people are doing it for all the wrong reasons, just because her friend did it then she feels like she has to”, she explains.
“My brother lives there so it was easy, I also saw the benefits that he has since he has the citizenship and I wanted that for my child” – Norhan Sherif
Advice from Mothers who have Tried it Themselves
“Finish the child’s room in Egypt before you leave, so everything is ready when you’re back. Also be prepared to deliver naturally, c-sections are very rare there and they won’t do it unless you have to.” Sarah Sameh
“Try to travel with your family or close friends; you will need a support system to help you through everything.” Zohour El Fiky
“Calculate it right, make sure this is something you can afford. And if you go through with it, and happen to move to the US, make sure you teach them Arabic and religion, they need to know their culture and language, this is very important!” Sarah El Guindy
“Don’t go to just any doctor, ask around and find one that you are comfortable with and has a good reputation. I had to find a second doctor after meeting the first one, I wasn’t comfortable with the first.” Norhan Sherif