One of my friends lives in Spain, and she was the source for these insights. She did not elaborate about the answers she did not know much about. She and her husband welcomed their first baby girl in 2022 in Valencia. Spain has progressive policies around parental leave, but also unique cultural traditions when it comes to childbirth and early parenting. Here’s what she shared about her experience.
Yes, you create a birth plan.
Yes, but only with a doula.
Yes, you can opt out of medication and choose alternative pain relief options like laughing gas (entonox) or distilled water injections.
Yes. Both public and private hospitals allow options like Pilates balls, bathtubs, showers, music, dim lighting, and candles. However, it depends on your birth plan and the hospital you choose.
Your husband, partner, or doula.
Yes, one person of your choice.
Yes.
Anyone—family members and friends—can visit immediately after you are moved to your room, and they can stay as long as they like.
In a cot in the mother's room, never away from the mother unless supervised. In private hospitals, you can pay extra for the baby to sleep in a different room with other babies.
Yes.
Yes.
It is mostly avoided unless necessary for the safety of the mother or baby.
Typically after two days (closer to 36-48 hours) if everything is fine. After a C-section, it's three days.
No, not really.
Not really.
The younger generation of fathers/partners plays a crucial role in both labor and postpartum care.
Yes, they receive 16 weeks, the same as mothers. They also get an additional hour per day for breastfeeding, which can be accumulated into 20 additional workdays.
After 16 weeks plus lactation leave (15-24 workdays).
Not many. Mostly for financial reasons.
Public preschool spots are limited. Private daycare costs around €450/month.
Between €6-15/hour, depending on their nationality.
No, not really.
No.
Yes.
I couldn't and am not aware if there are jobs that encourage or support that.
Taking care of the baby, traveling. It’s common to see newborns in restaurants, even late at night.
Yes, but it depends on housing size, nursing needs, and sleep habits.
No, my baby was still exclusively breastfeeding.
Worrying about my baby not eating on demand, my milk supply decreasing due to work stress, and balancing sleepless nights with job responsibilities.
I have not used any.
Yes, but only during early checkups. Continued support requires a private consultant, which is additional cost.