6
The World's [Healthiest] Mom Mug Goes to Norway
Based on health, education, infant mortality, maternal mortality, economic well-being, and average maternity leave (among other factors), the organization Save the Children determined that the best place to be a mother in 2011 is Norway; the worst, Afghanistan.
The United States comes in at No. 31 — low, but that's because we have a 1 in 2,100 maternal mortality rate, "the highest of any industrialized nation," and the "least generous maternity leave policy — both in terms of duration and percent of wages paid — of any wealthy nation." So, that's a downer. But Norway's really cold, and I hear beer costs $11 $13 there. Whaaat?
Changed "Best" to "Healthiest" in the title — don't want to imply infant mortality has anything to do with quality of motherhood!
Edith, let me know where I can get that $11 beer in Oslo. That would be NOK 57? Two, please. Keep me in mind when you hear about deals like that, because I am a cheap-ass bargain hunter. Paperback book for under $60? Pass on those tips, kid.
It's true that the mom & pop benefits in Norway are extremely generous.
Ten months off at full pay or a year at 80%, then a second year off unpaid if you like, guaranteed job waiting for you when you're done with your maternity/paternity leave!
Also, you get a welfare check for having a kid!
And day-care costs are very, very low!
– So that's all good. The downsides? Well, there are some, and it's not just the $13 beers. Access to health care, for example. Nobody believes this, but they do try to keep you from seeing the doctor in Norway, baby or not. Not sure how to square that (and the very respectable Norwegian maternity rate) with the low maternal mortality rate. But believe me, you can't just waltz in and see the doctor when you've got a sick kid. Medical care is not something you pay for and can demand. It's a costly social resource and it has to be rationed carefully.
I'm an American who recently gave birth in Iceland, and the healthcare system here has been a very different experience. (I spent the first part of my pregnancy receiving prenatal care in the US.) There is a "less is more" approach to prenatal care. Probably due to less litigation concerns and there not being private insurers, so no monetary incentives to hospitals/doctors, and a greater sense that care is rationed to an extent. There is less medical intervention, like glucose testing, etc., unless it is indicated (the obesity rate in the US is higher, which is probably partly why it's considered standard there). Women see midwives throughout their pregnancy, and, unless there is a medical indication to do otherwise, midwives deliver at the hospital without pain medication. At one point during delivery, I was begging for an epidural, and the midwife did not want to give it to me. (It was mainly because I didn't need it.)
I had to pay out of pocket for the cost of labor, and, with a one night hospital stay, it came to $1,400. Midwife appointments were $50, and I think blood work was less than $100.
Maternity leave isn't generous in terms of pay (leave is capped off at a certain amount, and it's not really enough to live off of alone), but women are generally expected to take 5-6 months off. They can't put babies into childcare until they are at least a few months old, so unless you have a relative to look after your baby, you basically have to take leave.
One other thing that has kind of hit me is the overall sense that babies/children are deemed an asset to the country's future, rather than a potential detriment to it, as seems to be the case more often than not in the US (unless you're mega-rich). It's been pretty surreal how many strangers will come up to me, my SO, and the baby and congratulate us. They seem genuinely happy for us. I think because the country is so small, there is a greater sense of community among mothers. There are a number of mother's groups that meet every week at churches to just chat about whatever, but it's things like this that seem to make the experience more enjoyable.
And despite the name, it's not so cold here!
I'm an American and I recently gave birth in Austria, which comes in just above the US on the list (mostly due to the crappy economic situation of women).
My regular gynecologist took care of me during my pregnancy and did all the check-ups and ultrasounds and what-have-you. Birthing takes place at modern hospitals, you cannot take your gyne with you. The birth is attended by a midwife. A doctor is on call for emergencies and high-risk births, but not otherwise involved. Pain medication and all kinds of laboring/birthing methods are freely available. I paid nothing.
There is a 16 week no-fly-zone that straddles the due date. I.e., it is illegal to employ a woman 8 weeks prior to and 8 weeks following giving birth. For that period of time, my health insurance pays the equivalent of my salary as if I were on disability (100%). Following these 16 weeks, I could return to work, but there are no public childcare facilities for children under 12 months of age (at least in my city). There are also several options for extended paid maternity/paternity leave: 12 months at €1000 a month or 80% of your salary, 15 months at €800 a month, or I believe 24 months at €500 a month. The other partner also has the option of tacking a few months onto the end at the same rate.
Childcare costs around €250 a month. Parents receive a stipend of about €150 a month from the government until the child turns 26 (!).
There is a strong feeling among many, that women should take the longest maternity leave option possible. When I informed him that I was planning on taking "only" a year leave, my boss suggested I might change my mind and stay away longer (as if that were an option, financially). But my job is guaranteed, whether I stay away 16 weeks or 2 years.
I have to say, despite the limited child care, I'm glad I gave birth here!
@nimblicity Unrelated but can I ask what you do? I'd like to consider a career in Germany or Austria sometime in the future and am just scoping out potential ideas.
I love in Australia and I don't feel like I can afford to have a kid. maybe I just need to reassess my priorities.