French moms-to-be in Quebec: 4 things to know.
Welcome to all the French mothers-to-be living in Quebec! Pregnancy is an incredible journey, but it can also raise a lot of questions — especially in a new country.
In this blog post I'll go through the questions most often asked by French women who are pregnant in Quebec, with a particular focus on crucial things like the health care system, birth options, postpartum services, and much more.
Let's walk through these important steps together so your pregnancy in Quebec feels as reassuring as possible.
If you'd rather watch than read, I've condensed the practical information into a video — just click below:
How does the health care system work in Quebec?
When you're pregnant in Quebec, understanding how the health care system works is essential. Health professionals such as midwives and doctors are there to follow your pregnancy from start to finish. Several routes are possible:
See your family doctor: book an appointment with your family doctor to let them know you're pregnant. They can point you toward the first steps of prenatal care.
No family doctor? Look into your options for prenatal care providers — obstetricians, midwives and doctors near you. You can register with Service ma grossesse which will give you a list of practitioners near you.
Visit your CLSC: check with your CLSC (Centre local de services communautaires) for information on the prenatal care services available in your community.
2. What are my options for giving birth?
Quebec offers mothers-to-be a range of birth options.
Hospital birth : giving birth in hospital under the supervision of an obstetrician or a family doctor who attends births. This is the most common choice in Quebec.
Birth with a midwife: choosing to give birth with a midwife's support, whether at home, in a birth centre or in hospital. (Note that there are no midwives in Quebec hospitals — those are nurses. You need to be followed by a midwife to have this option.)
Home birth: it's possible to give birth at home under the care of a midwife. This option is reserved for pregnancies considered low-risk.
Birth in a birth centre: choosing to give birth somewhere more intimate than a hospital, but still with health professionals — midwives — on hand.
3. What rights do pregnant women have?
Did you know you have specific rights as a pregnant woman in Quebec?
The right to information: pregnant women have the right to be informed about their pregnancy, prenatal care, medical procedures, and the birth options available to them.
The right to informed consent: pregnant women have the right to give informed consent before any medical intervention, and they can ask questions and express their preferences.
The right to choose your care provider: women have the right to choose the health professional who follows their pregnancy, whether an obstetrician, a midwife or someone else.
The right to choose where you give birth: women have the right to choose where they want to give birth — in hospital, at home, in a birth centre, and so on.
The right to a birth plan: women have the right to write a birth plan setting out their preferences for how the birth unfolds, and to discuss it with their medical team.
The right to refuse care: women have the right to refuse medical care, interventions or procedures that are not medically necessary, provided they understand what their decision means.
The right to privacy: pregnant women's medical and personal information is confidential, and they have the right to privacy about their health.
The right to a respectful birth: women have the right to be treated with respect and dignity during birth, to receive emotional support and to take an active part in decisions about their health and their baby's.
The right to maternity leave: pregnant women have the right to maternity leave, with benefits available to make up for the loss of income during that time.
The right to an environment free of discrimination: pregnant women have the right not to be discriminated against because they are pregnant, at work, socially or in a medical setting.
4. How do maternity leave and benefits work?
How long does maternity leave last?
Maternity leave in Quebec can last up to 18 weeks, and is then followed by parental leave. Together the two benefits can add up to a full year, depending on the plan you choose.
What are parental benefits?
Parental benefits can be shared between parents, offering up to 32 additional weeks of leave (on top of maternity leave), with a minimum of five weeks for the mother and three weeks for the father.
Am I paid during maternity or parental leave?
Women on maternity leave can receive parental insurance benefits, worth a percentage of their previous salary up to a set maximum.
Parental benefits also pay you a percentage of your previous salary, up to a maximum.
Am I eligible for parental benefits?
To qualify for parental benefits, parents must have accumulated a certain number of hours of work during the reference period.
How do I apply for my benefits?
Parents must apply for parental benefits through theRégie de l'assurance maladie du Québec (RQAP) and provide the required documents.
As a French mother-to-be in Quebec, getting informed about the health care system, your rights and the services available is essential.
We hope this article answers your questions and helps you enjoy your pregnancy in your new Quebec home. Do explore our detailed guides for a complete preparation!
Remember that every pregnancy is unique
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