Giving Birth in Toronto without OHIP

[SamSaher3]

I have received my PR approval and plan to arrive in Canada in a couple of weeks. At the time of landing, I will be 35 weeks pregnant and plan to deliver my child in Toronto.

I have a few queries with regards to planning the birth:

• How do i appply for my OHIP and how long will it take?
• Since OHIP may not be ready before the child is born, what are the approximate costs to deliver the child in a Toronto hospital? I am likely to require a c-section based on the birth of my previous children.
• Will i get a refund of the expense incurred, once the OHIP has been issued?
• How do i get registered at a hospital for birth?

Thanks in advance for your kind support on the above.

 

[canuck78]

I have received my PR approval and plan to arrive in Canada in a couple of weeks. At the time of landing, I will be 35 weeks pregnant and plan to deliver my child in Toronto.

I have a few queries with regards to planning the birth:

• How do i appply for my OHIP and how long will it take?

You can apply for OHIP at your local service Ontario office. You will need a permanent address and there are specific requirements for identification which you should look up before going to the offices. You are only eligible for coverage 90 days after you have landed. They will mail you the card. No matter when you apply during those first 90 days your coverage will still start 90 days after landing.

• Since OHIP may not be ready before the child is born, what are the approximate costs to deliver the child in a Toronto hospital? I am likely to require a c-section based on the birth of my previous children.

If you have a c-section your minimum cost will probably be $10-20k. If there are complications the price will go up.

• Will i get a refund of the expense incurred, once the OHIP has been issued?

No

• How do i get registered at a hospital for birth?

Since you have no insurance I would go in and speak the registration/account department at your local hospital (that has a maternity ward) once you arrive in Ontario to make arrangements. If you arrive in labour the doctor on call will deliver your baby but you may want to see a doctor regularly once you arrive. You will have to look up obstetricians in your area to see if they have room in your practice for your case and whether they will take a patient without OHIP. If you do find a doctor who will take you on as a patient they will have priviledges to deliver babies at a certain hospital so you should register at that hospital.


I would also be concerned that certain airlines may refuse boarding based on how late in your pregnancy especially if you are taking a long haul flight. I would be personally concerned that this is not your 1st pregnancy so labour may be quick and you need a c-section so if you go into labour early you and your baby could be at risk. I do understand everyone has to do what is best for them.

 

[Bs65]

As previous poster has implied at 35 weeks the OP is borderline to be allowed to fly especially if long haul . Even with a medical certificate from a doctor ultimately it would be down to the airline whether they allow someone to board regardless of what an airlines website might indicate, all have different guidelines.

Also travel insurance would not cover any costs associated with the birth.

Then again have to assume the OP has assessed all the risks and costs which could be substantial versus a home country birth and PR sponsorship later for the baby.

All can be done here is to feedback on what is a personal decision.

 

[canuck78]

No judgement just genuine concern for mom and baby.

 

[Bs65]

No judgement just genuine concern for mom and baby.

Agreed same here given there are enough things to worry about being a new immigrant let alone having a baby in a new country plus all the associated costs. To travel or not is a personal decision whether the risks outweigh the benefit of the baby being born Canadian, so no judgement from me just concern.

 

[SamSaher3]

Thanks all and I agree that my prime concern is to ensure good health of the child and myself. I would gladly avoid this decision, however we (me, spouse and 2 children) already have landing visas that expire in May 2018. If I do not travel to Canada for the delivery, is there a way to include the new born as part of our immigration plan? If yes, what is the process and how long does it take?

 

[Rob_TO]

Thanks all and I agree that my prime concern is to ensure good health of the child and myself. I would gladly avoid this decision, however we (me, spouse and 2 children) already have landing visas that expire in May 2018. If I do not travel to Canada for the delivery, is there a way to include the new born as part of our immigration plan? If yes, what is the process and how long does it take?

After the child is born in your home country, you would need to apply for their passport and then include them as a new dependent into your PR app. The baby will need to do a simple infant medical exam from a panel physisican.

Once added and approved by the visa office, they will issue a new COPR for the baby, so you will all go to Canada to land as PR together.

 

[SamSaher3]

Thanks Rob. Do you know the time needed to complete the addition? I am worried coz our COPR is valid only until 6th May 2018.