Maternity Ward Closures in Lisbon: What Every Expecting Parent in Portugal Needs to Know
If you're pregnant or planning to conceive in Portugal—especially in the Lisbon area—you may have seen growing headlines about maternity ward closures. As someone who supports other international women navigating pregnancy and birth in Portugal, I know how unsettling and confusing this news can be.
In this post, I want to share:
Where to find the most reliable, updated information about maternity closures
A reminder that you can choose any open hospital for your birth
A few things to keep in mind when considering private hospitals
🛑 Why Are Maternity Wards Closing in Lisbon?
Over the last few years, the public health system (SNS) in Portugal has faced major challenges—particularly a shortage of obstetricians and gynecologists. This has led to rotational closures of maternity wards, mostly during weekends, holidays, and night shifts when staff is especially limited.
While the official reason is often staffing shortages, it’s worth noting that this shortage is largely linked to a lack of available doctors, rather than a lack of physical space or equipment.
There’s also an ongoing debate in Portugal around how little autonomy is given to midwife-nurses (enfermeiras especialistas em saúde materna e obstetrícia) in many public hospitals. In systems where midwives have more independence, births—especially low-risk ones—can continue safely even when doctors aren’t present 24/7. But in Portugal, the medicalized model means that midwives often can’t lead births without direct doctor supervision, contributing to unnecessary closures.
Of course, this is a complex and sometimes political issue—but it’s part of the bigger picture I think it’s important to be aware of.
✅ Where to Find Up-to-Date Maternity Ward Closure Information
The most reliable and up-to-date source is the official SNS (Serviço Nacional de Saúde) website:
👉 SNS Portal – Serviços de Urgência Ginecológica/Obstétrica
Here’s what I would do:
Check the closure schedule weekly from around the 30th week of pregnancy, or earlier if it helps you feel more prepared.
Follow your local hospitals on social media—some post updates about closures and urgent care shifts faster than official channels.
🏥 You Can Choose Any Operational Public Hospital
A key right to remember is that you can choose to give birth at any public hospital that is open, not just the one closest to your address or where you had prenatal appointments.
This is part of your basic rights within the public healthcare system in Portugal.
If your planned hospital is closed when labor begins:
You can go to any other operational public maternity ward.
It’s a good idea to identify 2–3 backup hospitals ahead of time and learn the best route to get there.
Always carry your pregnancy health record (Boletim de Saúde da Grávida).
🍼 Private Hospitals: Always Open, But Not Always Ideal
Private hospitals in Portugal aren’t affected by the rotating closure schedules, which makes them appealing to some for the predictability and convenience.
However, I think it’s important to be aware that C-section rates are significantly higher in private hospitals in Portugal. This is partly due to the strictly biomedical model of care—where doctors, rather than midwives, manage most aspects of the birth process, even for low-risk pregnancies.
While this may work well for some, it might not align with your birth preferences—especially if you're hoping for a physiological or midwife-supported birth.
Final Thoughts
Birth in Portugal can absolutely be a positive and empowering experience—but information and preparation are key.
My top three takeaways:
Check the maternity ward schedule weekly on the SNS website in your third trimester.
Know your rights—you’re free to go to any open public hospital when labor starts.
Be mindful of the different models of care between public and private hospitals, and choose what aligns best with your values and birth plan.
If you’re looking for more personal tips, feel free to explore more of the resources I’ve put together here on Birth in Portugal. You’re not alone on
this journey.
