I had an inkling that I would have children in Italy, a driving point was mainly the healthcare system, but most importantly how the family is so bonded.

I hope Sam, my husband, and I can instill the Italian lifestyle in our sons. Besides children being the light of all Italy and the primary rulers, the health care system caters to new mothers. I can only speak for my area, it is renowned as the best maternity ward of all Tuscany. The prenatal care was top-tier. I have heard horror stories from back home that WITH health insurance, you still had to pay approximately $10,000 out of pocket. I find that baffling. I was able to receive an epidural for free, only on the condition that I would take a 2-hour seminar. There is NO WAY I could afford to have kids in the United States. I know a girlfriend who is a doctor and her husband is a pilot and they took out loans to have their twins, that to me is pure insanity. 

The level of attention I received as a pregnant woman was first-class status. I am happy about how it worked out for both boys. Ultrasounds and milestone screenings were all part of the prenatal package. They offered parenting classes and nursing courses. I was coming off of all the adrenaline to realize that this was an option I might be interested in. I didn’t do anything offered but looking back I wish I had taken advantage of these great resources. Nursing was a hard obstacle to overcome but we succeeded. And sink baths are something they don’t stress enough that is needed daily. The birthing teams are mainly all women, they were great and are known for totally taking the new mom’s lead throughout the whole experience. I know people always complain about hospital food but I have to say, they hit it out of the park with the food during my hospital stay. Either that or they knew I had not had prosciutto for 9 months! They came and asked me in advance and read out a menu for the days to follow of what I wanted for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Food got a thumbs up! 

After my second child, I was informed that they were now offering counseling and therapy appointments for postpartum depression. All for free! This is such a big win for women in Italy, especially recognizing that post-partum depression is something that needs to be sent to the forefront of our society. Oh, and a new perk for being a new mom, you get a pink parking pass. This pass has parking spots reserved all over the city for moms with babies. The pass is good until your baby turns two years old! Also if you have to do anything bureaucratic and there is a long line, if you have small children with you while trying to get stuff done, you get to jump the line as a priority.

By Italian law, mothers get paid 5 months full salary maternity leave. They may also take additional unpaid leave, it is not unusual to take off for an entire year. Little fun fact, in the Czech Republic, mothers and fathers get 5 years paid maternity and paternity leave! 

My last encounter in a hospital stateside was horrible, the first thing they ask you is how you are paying for the visit or who your insurance company is. They slapped a bracelet on me with my name on it. I sat in the emergency room for 12 hours and decided to go home because I had an international flight I needed to board. I never saw a doctor, nor did I even leave the emergency waiting room area. I was charged $500. Just to sit in there in the building! When I tell my Italian friends this story they shake their heads in total disbelief. I love slowly unearthing this myth of “the American dream”. 

We are considered a low-income family by Italian standards but most definitely by American standards. By American standards, we would be considered well below the poverty line. The Italian government has been providing bonuses and perks for having children, to help with the decline of birthrates. It is not much but it helps with diapers and home basics. Daycare and preschool are very expensive, even if they go through the public school system. We were lucky this year and qualified for the state to pay for a great deal of our daycare. Unfortunately, preschool costs as much as our rent and there is no bonus or help for preschool. This last year has been very expensive for our family of four. Preschool, daycare, rent, and groceries alone have burned through any sort of savings we had accumulated. We have felt every shift of the inflation prices, while fuel and food just continue to skyrocket. Luckily next year our oldest will be in 1st grade, meaning we will lose the expense of preschool! Big win for us!