In Colombia, the majority of births take place in hospitals, with home births being relatively uncommon. Pregnant women in Colombia have access to a range of prenatal care services, including regular check-ups with an obstetrician or midwife, ultrasounds, and access to educational resources and support groups.
Private hospitals are available for those who can afford them, but public hospitals also offer obstetric care. The quality of care can vary widely depending on the region and the hospital, and it’s recommended that pregnant women research their options and choose a hospital or healthcare provider that they feel comfortable with.
Registering a Birth in Colombia
If you give birth in Colombia, you will need to register the birth with the local Civil Registry within 15 days. Here are the steps to follow:
Obtain a birth certificate from the hospital 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.
Go to the local Civil Registry office and fill out the birth registration form. You will need to provide identification documents for both parents and the baby’s birth certificate.
The Civil Registry will issue a birth certificate for the baby. This document is important for accessing social services, such as education and healthcare.
Pay the registration fee. The fee varies depending on the region and the type of registration.
Attitudes and Legislation Surrounding Abortion in Colombia
Abortion is legal in Colombia under certain circumstances. A landmark ruling by the country’s Constitutional Court in 2006 decriminalized abortion in cases of rape, fetal malformation, or risk to the mother’s life or health. In 2018, the court further ruled that abortion should be legal for up to 12 weeks of pregnancy.
However, despite being legal under certain circumstances, there is still significant opposition to abortion in Colombia, particularly among conservative and religious groups. Additionally, many women still face barriers in accessing safe and legal abortion services, including stigma and a lack of available providers.
Giving birth in Colombia is most commonly done in hospitals, with a range of prenatal care services available to pregnant women. Registering a birth in Colombia involves obtaining a birth certificate and filling out a registration form at the local Civil Registry. Abortion is legal in Colombia under certain circumstances, although there is still significant opposition to the practice and many women face barriers in accessing safe and legal abortion services.