Home » Bahamas » Bahamas – Maternity and Giving Birth

Bahamas – Maternity and Giving Birth

The Bahamas is a country located in the Caribbean, with a population of over 400,000 people. When it comes to giving birth in the Bahamas, most births take place in hospitals or maternity clinics. Home births are not common in the Bahamas.

Pregnant women in the Bahamas have access to prenatal care, which includes regular check-ups with a doctor or midwife, as well as tests and ultrasounds to monitor the health of the mother and the developing fetus. Most hospitals and clinics in the Bahamas have well-equipped maternity wards, and women have the option of giving birth vaginally or via cesarean section, depending on their medical needs and preferences.

Registering a Birth in the Bahamas

If you give birth in the Bahamas, you will need to register the birth with the Registrar General’s Department. Here are the steps to follow:

  1. Obtain a birth certificate from the hospital or clinic where the birth took place. This certificate should include information about the baby’s name, date of birth, place of birth, and the names and identities of the parents.

  2. Contact the Registrar General’s Department to schedule an appointment to register the birth. You will need to bring the birth certificate, along with identification documents for both parents.

  3. At the appointment, the registrar will review the documents and register the birth. You will receive a birth certificate for your child.

Attitudes and Legislation Surrounding Abortion in the Bahamas

Abortion is illegal in the Bahamas, except in cases where the life of the mother is at risk. The penalty for having an abortion in the Bahamas is imprisonment for up to four years. Women who seek illegal abortions in the Bahamas may face criminal charges and imprisonment.

The attitudes towards abortion in the Bahamas are generally conservative, and there is little public support for the legalization of abortion. However, there are also groups and organizations that advocate for women’s reproductive rights and access to safe and legal abortion services.

Giving birth in the Bahamas generally takes place in hospitals or maternity clinics, and women have access to prenatal care and a range of medical options for giving birth. Registering a birth in the Bahamas involves obtaining a birth certificate and scheduling an appointment with the Registrar General’s Department. Abortion is illegal in the Bahamas, except in cases where the life of the mother is at risk, and there is little public support for the legalization of abortion in the country. However, there are also groups and organizations that advocate for women’s reproductive rights and access to safe and legal abortion services.


Get Our Best Articles Every Month!

Get our free moving abroad email course AND our top stories in your inbox every month


Unsubscribe any time. We respect your privacy - read our privacy policy.