Delivery usually takes place in a maternity hospital, which can either be public or private. The expecting mother must take all relevant documentation with her to the hospital.
A new mother can stay in the hospital after birth between 2-3 days, times vary. For a birth with no complications, the mother and baby may be discharged in less than 24 hours.
Home births
Home births are legal in Mexico, although the practice is not widespread.
Post-natal Care
Newborns in Mexico are vaccinated against hepatitis B and tuberculosis. Thereafter, it is recommended that children in their first year have monthly check-ups. The Mexican government provides a vaccination calendar detailing age and dosage information for all vaccinations.
Registering the Birth
Following the birth, the hospital fills out a form in Spanish with information about the birth.
A child’s birth must be registered at a Civil Registry office and it is advisable to do this as soon as possible after the birth. This service is free of charge. The following documents are necessary:
- Form from the hospital
- Proof of legal ID and current visa of both parents
- Mother's birth certificate
- Marriage certificate, if applicable
- Copies of all of the above documents
Once all the documents have been checked, the officials at the registry office put the baby's fingerprints on the documents. An official birth certificate this will be required at many stages of the baby's life, for example, school enrolment. In addition, two witnesses must be present, and they must bring proof of identity.
It is advisable to register the birth at the parent's embassy.