Expat Pregnancy Services
1:1 sessions
I offer one-to-one sessions and help women/families to make educated choices that allows them to navigate pregnancy, birth, postpartum and the first years as parents in Portugal.
👉 Read more about this service below and download the free handbook here.
Typical questions that we go over during sessions are:
🌱 What is the difference between public and private hospitals?
🌱 Can I use both public and private healthcare?
🌱 How do I access the health system in Portugal?
🌱 How can I access pregnancy follow-up here in Portugal?
🌱 How do I register at the health centre?
🌱 Which labs will I get covered by the state? How many ultrasounds do I typically have? 🌱 What are the typical medical appointments during pregnancy?
🌱 How do you find your preferred the hospital for birth?
🌱Can I have a home birth? How can I find certified midwives to assist me during labor and birth at home?
🌱 How can I find a doula to support me?
🌱 Do I have the right to have more than one person as a birth partner? What if I struggle with language barriers?
🌱 Can I have a birth plan? How can I build one?
🌱 What are my basic rights as a pregnant and birthing woman?
🌱 How do I register my baby after birth?
🌱 Do I need a private paediatrician?
🌱How do I build a supportive network for postpartum?
🌱How can I find a nanny, or get home-cooked meals, and a cleaning service that are both kind and supportive?
🌱Where can I find certified lactation consultants that speak English/French/German/my mother tongue?
🌱 How can I find a community of like-minded mothers/parents?
🌱 Where can I find alternative schooling options?
Growing a family is vulnerable and raw. Parenting in a new country without a supporting network while facing cultural and language barriers can become challenging and daunting. Building your village in a new country is critical to foster a healthy parenting experience.
My intention is to create a safe space where families of any background, living in or moving to Portugal can get the information they need about the health and social security systems, learn the main cultural aspects and get the tools and resources they need to build their own network of professional, practical and emotional support to experience parenthood abroad with grace and joy.
This is an adequate option for both families that landed here and want to build their supporting network as well as Portuguese families that were abroad and are coming back to Portugal and/or to multicultural families even when one of the partners is Portuguese.
Jasmine
After our call I feel much more confident about the topics discussed and I feel like I am now about to make more educated decisions. Book the consultation!
Being pregnant we already have so many concerns and things to deal with. It felt great to share those concerns with someone who understands what I am going through and to get the answers I needed. I left our consultation with a lot less stress.
Hoida
After the follow-up, I feel much more informed and confident about navigating the healthcare system here in Portugal. The action items and resources provided have given me a clear path forward.
Overall, things that were once cloudy are now much clearer. If you’re on the fence, I’d say go for it. The session made a real difference for me in understanding the healthcare landscape. Having someone guide you through the complexities can clear up a lot of doubts and make the journey much smoother.
Fiona
After the call, I felt a great weight lift off my shoulders. I felt so relieved to finally understand clearly what this journey could look like and the different options open to me.
You won't regret talking with Iliona. It was honestly the best decision I made in the beginning of my pregnancy. I only wish I'd done it earlier!
Bernardo
(...) having a native reference in a different country was absolutely essential for us to have the necessary tranquility to make the most of our pregnancy and delivery.
Lera
(...) thank you for all your support, attention and help! You are doing such a great work, and we are really lucky to have you with us throughout that amazing journey! 🤍
Ray
We loved meeting with you yesterday. We feel very supported. Thank you ❤️
Manoela
Since the very beginning, Iliona was available, flexible, caring and attentive. I cannot imagine to grow a baby far from my country and my family, without her support. She helped me to prepare for the birth I wanted, and nourished my self-confidence.
Júlia
You are very kind and professional, I'm really glad that we met. Big hug and thank you once again! 🤍
Jacopo
Iliona does not impose one way of doing things, but acts more as a wise guide, setting out the pros and cons of various choices and respecting fully that the path chosen by the parents is a personal one and there is no right or wrong.