An American who's pregnant in France. It's been great in some ways, but there are times I wish I were back home.

Moving to France in 2021 with a French partner changed the way one American experiences pregnancy, according to a first-person account. The writer learned in early 2026 that she and her husband were expecting their first child and had spent the prior year preparing, including registering for France’s national health-insurance system and completing pre-pregnancy checkups. She says France’s midwifery model is a major difference from the U.S., where she expected an OB-GYN. In France, midwives must complete six years of education and earn a master’s degree, can prescribe medication, and are commonly recommended for low-risk pregnancies. Her costs are largely subsidized, and she notes pregnancy coverage can reach 70% until the fifth month, with additional expenses covered after six months. She pays generally 40 euros or less for uncovered appointments and mentions a birth bonus of over 1,000 euros for eligible lower-income parents. Still, she sometimes wishes she were back in Southern California with family.