Mamá in Medellín

Search

Home All stories

Pregnancy in Medellín: My Childbirth Experience and Resources

Sarah

32 min read

Last reviewed

Editorial note: Factual guidance reviewed October 24, 2026 against official health and registration sources and published insurer terms. My experiences and costs remain historical, mainly 2022–2024. Provider availability, current prices and individual coverage are not confirmed; check these with your care team and insurer. Official COVID vaccination timing materials differ, and expanded newborn screening is being implemented progressively.

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my full disclosure here.

If you’re navigating pregnancy in Medellín and wondering what childbirth actually looks like here, I’ve been through it twice. A mother’s choice from how she manages her pregnancy all the way up to how and where she delivers is deeply personal. What worked for me may not work for you. I opted for more traditional births and would like to provide some context before you read further to ensure this information will be helpful and relevant for you:

Factual information reviewed October 24, 2026. My birth stories and costs below are historical, mainly from 2022–2024. Current rules are identified separately. Use this guide to prepare questions for your care team, insurer and registration office; your care, coverage and paperwork depend on your situation.

  • All three of my children were born in hospitals, one in the United States and the other two in Medellín at the same hospital.
  • I was 4 months pregnant with my son (second) when I moved to Medellín.
  • I went through my entire pregnancy in Medellín for my third.
  • I had a doula for the birth of my second and third.
  • I have had and will ask for the epidural.
  • I was not insured in Colombia for my second. I had SURA Global with my third.

In my experience, the difference between delivering in the United States and Colombia was neither good nor bad – just different. I’m glad to have had the opportunity to experience both and share them here. If asked, I would say I preferred my labor & delivery experience here in Colombia. It was hard for me to find shared experiences of what a traditional delivery looked like in Colombia and was nervous about what to expect. My experience may not be yours but I’ll share resources I’ve found along the way in hopes of helping you in your pregnancy and delivery journey, including:

In this guide

Health Insurance for Pregnancy in Colombia (EPS vs. Private)

Ask the insurer or a qualified insurance adviser to confirm your exact policy terms in writing. EPS SURA and a private SURA health policy are different products; the name “SURA” alone does not tell you what is covered.

EPS: Colombia’s Mandatory Health Coverage

An EPS is an entity that arranges coverage within Colombia’s health system, not a synonym for a single public insurer. Residents generally must affiliate, subject to special or exempt regimes. The contributory and subsidized routes depend on your circumstances; foreign residents also need the appropriate migration and identification documents. An unexpired cédula alone does not answer every eligibility question. Additional private coverage generally supplements the required system coverage. Under Decreto 780, eligible people cannot be rejected by an EPS because of preexisting conditions, and access to covered medical care does not have a maternity waiting period. Paid maternity leave is a separate benefit with its own requirements.

My Experience with SURA Global for Childbirth

I had a positive experience using SURA Global for my third pregnancy and delivery. That is my experience with one private policy, not a guarantee that every SURA plan covers every doctor, hospital or service. Check the current network, authorization process, exclusions, reimbursement limits and your policy schedule. If you want to change insurers later, confirm acceptance and continuity of coverage before cancelling the existing policy. SURA’s published Global policy wording is a useful starting point.

Questions to Ask Your Insurance Agent

Important questions to ask are:

  • When does each type of coverage begin? My SURA Global coverage began when I joined. I signed up with my partner and child around ten months before the baby’s due date. My recollection of a 30-day period should not be used as a current maternity rule. Ask specifically about conception dates and delivery coverage, not just when you can book appointments.
  • What does the current policy say? SURA’s published Global wording dated February 23, 2026 distinguishes family policies with two or more insured people and collective policies, where pregnancy must begin after joining, from a sole-insured policy, where conception must occur after day 60. Continuous coverage through birth and the other policy conditions also apply. Your issued contract controls; ask the insurer to confirm the wording that applies to you.
  • What happens if the pregnancy or birth needs more care? Each of my pregnancies was different. With my third, I went to the ER for what turned out to be kidney stones at eight months pregnant; I had no ER visits with my first two. Compare maternal complications, emergency care, ICU/NICU, congenital conditions, deductibles and limits as well as routine visits.
  • How do I add the baby? The published Global wording requires eligible newborn inclusion within 30 days. Any premium waiver lasts only until the current policy term ends, subject to its conditions. Confirm the deadline and documents directly; this is separate from EPS enrollment.

Source: SURA Plan Salud Global, published 2026 wording. These are private-policy conditions, not EPS waiting periods.

EPS vs. Private: What to Know

Whether you use EPS coverage or an additional private policy, ask who will see you during pregnancy, who covers nights and holidays, and who attends the birth if your usual OB is unavailable. Confirm referral and authorization steps and the hospital’s services. I do not have evidence that EPS coverage itself causes a higher chance of a C-section. Discuss your preferences and the clinical reasons for any proposed intervention with the care team.

What happened with me is not a guarantee that it’ll happen for you. Sometimes it can feel like the rules are always changing which is why it’s so important to speak to an insurance agent to discuss your needs and pick the plan that’s right for you. If you’re looking for one, I’d recommend joining the Medellin international moms (and friends) Facebook group. Dozens of agents have been recommended or you can always post if you’re looking for something more specific. It’s been a helpful resource my family and I!

How Much Does It Cost to Have a Baby in Medellín?

Cost was a big difference for my family, but my bills are not a current price list. The amounts below are in USD as I recorded them at the time; today’s peso quotes, exchange rates and coverage may be very different.

With my second child, I was already diagnosed with gestational diabetes and did not have Colombian insurance for that birth, so I paid “particular” (private/out-of-pocket). I paid for my OB appointments and her delivery fee directly, and paid the hospital invoice, bloodwork, and ultrasounds separately. Including my doula, an uncomplicated vaginal delivery and a one-night hospital stay came to approximately $2,000–$2,500 USD. The hospital stay alone at Clínica El Rosario was about $1,300 USD.

That was my situation at the time, not a rule that gestational diabetes makes someone uninsurable. EPS affiliation cannot exclude an eligible person because of a preexisting condition; private-policy terms are a separate question.

With my third, we had SURA Global insurance. My prenatal visits and delivery were covered, and our balance at discharge was $11 USD. That’s not a typo. It was the balance on that historical hospital bill, not the total cost of insurance or a promise about another family’s bill. Premiums, policy terms and other expenses need to be considered separately.

For EPS, specified maternal-perinatal services have exemptions from copagos or cuotas moderadoras under Decreto 1652 of 2022. That does not mean every pregnancy-related expense, private-policy charge or optional extra is free.

Here are the historical ranges I collected in 2022–2024 from my own experience and other moms. They are context for asking for quotes, not a 2026 budget or a set of charges to add together:

ItemHistorical Approx. Cost (USD, 2022–2024)

OB appointments (per visit)

$30–$60 per visit

Detailed ultrasounds (MAFEM or similar)

$40–$80 each

Lab work / bloodwork

$20–$100 per panel

NIPT screening (Gencell)

$300–$500

Doula

$500–$1,000

Hospital stay + vaginal delivery

$1,200–$1,800

C-section (if needed)

$2,000–$3,500

OBGYN for Delivery

$1,000-$1,500

Ask for an itemized current quote in COP: prenatal appointments and tests, OB and anesthesia fees, hospital charges, newborn care and any extra nights or complications. Ask what is included so you do not count the same service twice. The table mixes personal and community reports; it is not a verified market survey. Discuss private maternity coverage before pregnancy if that is part of your plan, because conception-date conditions can matter.

How to Find an Obstetrician in Medellín

I started with establishing myself as a patient with an obstetrician. I’ve heard others start with the hospital first and then try to find a doctor who delivers there. I felt that if I found a doctor I trusted enough, it didn’t matter where I delivered. I created a pregnancy resource directory with recommended OBs, doulas, and other support that includes a list of previously recommended obstetricians by other moms in Facebook groups and to me personally.

That was how I chose, but the hospital still matters: confirm your OB’s privileges, current maternity services, emergency and neonatal capabilities, referral arrangements and your plan’s coverage before deciding.

The Medellin moms Facebook group was also helpful when searching for a provider. I first searched previous posts and came across a slew of recommendations. If you’re not sure how to search previous posts, this link explains how. If you can’t find what you’re looking for and are going to ask, be descriptive and share what kind of doctor and/or experience you’re looking for to help get the answers you need. 

What to Look for in a Colombian OB

I was looking for someone who was preferably bilingual and an advocate for vaginal birth unless the baby or I needed intervention for our health and safety. A story I heard about my OB stayed with me. In that account, my OB had a patient who preferred vaginal delivery unless medical intervention was required. She had been laboring for 25+ hours. Other doctor’s were in disbelief and asked my OB “Why don’t you just cut her and get it over with?” to which she replied, “She doesn’t want that. Mom and baby are stable and healthy, there’s no need.” That was the kind of advocacy I was looking for.

This is a secondhand story, not a clinical record or evidence about all Colombian doctors. For your own care, ask the team to explain the specific benefits, risks and alternatives.

Things to Know Before Booking

  • Ask whether the OB is accepting new patients and how soon you can be seen. Appointment availability changes.
  • Ask about holiday coverage and what to do if your OB is away, especially around Christmas and Colombian festivos.
  • In my experience, my OB’s office was not a one-stop shop for bloodwork and detailed ultrasounds. She did a basic ultrasound at each visit and gave me a fórmula for the next steps. That was my care plan, not a schedule every pregnancy needs. Ask which tests are recommended for you, when, where and how results will be reviewed.

Vaccines are another prenatal planning question. The current MinSalud pregnancy vaccination guidance lists influenza from week 14, Tdap from week 20 in each pregnancy and maternal RSV vaccination between weeks 28 and 36 in each pregnancy. Have the vaccination team review your record, eligibility and any contraindications. Also ask about COVID vaccination using the current product-specific guidance; official 2026 materials differ on the gestational starting week.

Lab Work, Ultrasounds, and Managing Your Own Results

Ask your exact insurer or EPS which laboratory or imaging site is authorized for the ordered exam. SURA-branded locations such as São Paulo or Industriales should not be assumed to offer every test or accept every SURA product. If you are paying particular, request a current quote.

For lab work: Laboratorio Clínico Hematológico or Laboratorio Echavarria publish their locations and services online. I used Echavarria since they had a location walking distance to me. Staff and experience were both great. Accessing most of my results online made it super easy. Confirm the branch, ordered test and exact insurance plan before booking.

For detailed anatomy scans and ultrasounds, I went to MAFEM and had a really lovely experience with Dr. Raúl García Posada. This is my historical experience; confirm the current clinician, appointment availability and acceptance of your exact policy.

It was my responsibility to get the results and forward to my OB via WhatsApp as opposed to relying on the other offices to communicate with each other on my behalf. Usually they sent me the results via WhatsApp or available to download online.

Ask your own providers how they securely share results and who is responsible for reviewing them; do not assume that uploading or sending a result means the clinician has seen it.

I got my noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT) test done through Gencell at 10 weeks and the results back 2.5 weeks later. They even came to the house to draw the sample. This was not covered by insurance. 

That was my timing, turnaround and coverage then. NIPT is a screening test, not a definitive diagnosis; discuss whether it is appropriate for you and how results would be followed up with your clinician.

ACOG’s prenatal screening explanation covers the distinction between screening and diagnostic tests.

C-Section Rates in Colombia: What You Should Know

If you are researching childbirth in Colombia, you may come across C-section statistics. A regional percentage does not tell you what you personally need. WHO does not recommend one specific C-section rate for every country or hospital, and the old 10–15% figure should not be treated as an individual target. A medically necessary C-section can save lives; your care team should explain the indication, benefits, risks and alternatives.

For me, the useful conversation was with my own care team. Questions I would bring to that conversation include:

  • What clinical findings would lead you to recommend a C-section or induction in my situation?
  • What are the benefits, risks and alternatives, including waiting when it is safe to do so?
  • Who will attend if you are unavailable, and how will my preferences be shared?
  • What support is available for pain relief, movement, a companion and communication in a language I understand?

Vaginal birth is possible in Medellín, and discussing your preferences early can help your team understand what matters to you. A birth that needs surgery is not a failure to advocate. Here’s what helped me prepare:

  • I asked my OB directly about her c-section rate and philosophy during our first appointment.
  • I chose a provider who treated vaginal delivery as the default unless there was a medical reason not to.
  • I worked with a doula who reinforced my birth preferences and communicated with my OB throughout labor.
  • I put my delivery preferences in writing and discussed them with my team well before my due date.

Your preferences deserve a clear conversation. Colombia’s Ley 2244 of 2022 protects respectful maternity care, understandable information, informed decisions, birth planning, appropriate pain-relief options and breastfeeding support. It also provides for at least one trusted companion of your choice without an extra charge for that right. Skin-to-skin contact depends on maternal and newborn condition. A birth plan helps communicate preferences; it is not a guarantee that every preference will be clinically possible.

Hiring a Doula for Childbirth in Colombia

I didn’t have a doula in the United States and decided to have a doula in Colombia. My number one reason was so that my partner and I could focus on laboring and not translating. My Spanish is decent but medical terminology is a different ballgame. We had such a great experience, we hired her again for our third. Bonus: My doula and OB are good friends IRL so it was a friendly, familiar, relaxed energy in the delivery room.

She kept my OB up-to-date the entire time so I didn’t have to, helped with labor exercises, and routinely checked in on me to see if there was anything I needed. A week post-delivery, she checked in (and a couple of times after that) to see how I was doing and if she could help support me. Throughout the process she was patient, kind, and helpful answering my questions. If a doula is something you’re exploring for your pregnancy in Medellín, I would absolutely recommend it.

A doula’s support does not replace an obstetric, midwifery or other qualified clinical professional. For consent and medical decisions, arrange communication with the hospital so you understand the explanation; do not assume any bilingual support person is a qualified medical interpreter.

What to Expect at a Medellín Pregnancy Hospital

Admission and Paperwork

With my second, it felt like an eternity between arriving at Clinica El Rosario Sede Tesoro until getting settled into the delivery room. Mostly because I was progressing so quickly and having to fill out paperwork because I was paying particular, or basically out-of-pocket, in between very painful, intense contractions.

With my third, I had an orden de parto and completed paperwork ahead of arrival, which made admission easier for me. Ask your hospital, OB and insurer what can be prepared in advance and who handles authorizations. That is a planned-admission step, not a reason to delay urgent assessment while waiting for paperwork or payment.

Admission was comparable to the States. Get through triage, find out how far dilated you are, and choose whether or not you want the epidural. My partner took care of putting my hospital bag away and grabbed the separate ziploc bags with things for baby, me, and our portable speaker. I had to remove all my jewelry. I didn’t experience this personally, but have heard some doctors ask that you have no nail polish, gel, or acrylic on your hands and feet.

Those were my admission experiences. Ask your hospital for its current preparation instructions, including jewelry and nail products, rather than relying on what another patient was told.

Labor, Delivery, and Hospital Stay

In terms of actual labor & delivery, after getting the epidural it was very chill. We were doing labor exercises with a medicine ball while l was laying down or when I was able to walk a little and bounce. I didn’t feel rushed at all and thankfully things were going smoothly with both my second and third. What I appreciated most about the entire experience during my pregnancy in Medellín was being able to listen to my body and ended up giving birth in a way that served both my kids and I that didn’t require me to move into any one particular position. I don’t believe I would have had the same opportunity to experience it in the U.S.

Movement after an epidural depends on the anesthesia and your clinical condition; follow the team’s assistance and monitoring instructions.

Once my babies were out, we had immediate skin-to-skin contact. The team cut the cord and checked their vitals, and after they were swaddled we waited for our room. We deferred their birth vaccines until the next day. That is what happened for us, not advice to delay vaccination.

Colombia’s newborn schedule includes BCG and hepatitis B. BCG protects against serious childhood tuberculosis, including tuberculous meningitis; it is not a general meningitis vaccine. MinSalud’s healthy-newborn guidance recommends timely birth doses, including hepatitis B in the first 12 hours. The neonatal team should apply the appropriate protocol for the baby’s condition and the mother’s hepatitis B status. See MinSalud’s newborn guideline and Metrosalud’s vaccination schedule.

How Long Will You Stay?

I had my son vaginally at 2 p.m. on a Saturday and we were discharged at 5 p.m. on Sunday. My third birth was similar. Those were our stays, not a promise about yours.

Under the maternal-perinatal route referenced in Resolución 207 of 2024, the minimum observation periods are 24 hours after vaginal birth and 48 hours after C-section; risk factors can require longer observation. Discharge still depends on the mother’s and baby’s clinical criteria. Ask your team about your expected stay, support at home and follow-up, rather than planning around a guaranteed number of nights.

Things to Know About Clínica El Rosario

I can’t speak for all hospitals, but at Clinica El Rosario in Medellín in 2023 & 2024:

  • My babies stayed with me, and I did not receive separate overnight newborn-care help. Ask what rooming-in support and assistance are available now, especially if you need help caring for your baby.
  • I did not receive help from a car-seat technician. Arrange a suitable car seat and learn its installation before delivery; ask the hospital what discharge support it provides.
  • Do not assume my experience tells you what lactation services or pumps are available now. Ask the hospital about feeding support during admission, after discharge and through your specific insurance plan. Clínica El Rosario publishes patient and family guides, including breastfeeding and newborn-care resources.

Hospital Bag Checklist: What to Pack for Childbirth in Colombia

When I had my first baby in the USA, I was reminded to take any leftover freebies from your hospital stay because there were items ready for us: diapers, wipes, postpartum care materials. During my Rosario stays, the only thing provided for the baby was formula if they needed it. My pain medicines were provided as needed, but the hospital in Colorado gave me stool softeners immediately after delivering my first. In Colombia, I had to bring my own for my second. IYKYK.

Confirm the hospital’s current supply list. Ask the clinical team before taking medicines or supplements you bring from home, including stool softeners.

Here’s my suggested packing list from those stays. Confirm what your hospital supplies now. There was a small pharmacy at the hospital, and Rappi may be useful for forgotten items, but stock, delivery access and opening hours are not guaranteed.

After Delivery: Hospital Papers and Birth Registration

I left the hospital before completing my children’s registro civil de nacimiento. The hospital’s certificado de nacido vivo records the birth and supports civil registration; it is not the same document. Ask how your hospital handles registration and aim to complete it within the month following birth, as Registraduría explains.

A notaría representative was part of the process I encountered at the hospital. Ask which office they represent and where it is located. Also ask whether hospital registration is available on the day you need it. Availability and schedules vary; I cannot promise an on-site representative at every hospital or a universal Sunday rule.

You are not necessarily tied to that notaría for every future copy. Depending on the record and the format you need, options can include an official digital copy or an authorized Registraduría office. Copies with marginal notes, records that are not available in the system and some other procedures may still require the office holding the record. My guide to registro civil copies explains the differences.

Keep your hospital papers in a safe place. This is why I recommend packing a folder in your hospital bag: there is a lot of shuffling around, and documents can easily get misplaced. Confirm the full checklist with your chosen registration office; parents’ identification and any evidence needed for your family’s circumstances are separate from the hospital packet.

Papers I received were:

  • Keepsake of baby’s birth stats and footprints.
  • Vaccine card.
  • Original and copy of the certificado de nacido vivo. These were in my packet. Registration is ordinarily due within one month; the certificate does not expire after 30 days. If you are late, ask about the late-registration process.
  • Labmédico receipt from baby’s lab work.
  • Follow-up prescriptions and orders. Mine included metabolic and hearing screening, a pediatric appointment 48–72 hours after discharge and a gynecology appointment one week after delivery. Follow your own discharge plan and confirm which newborn samples were already taken, which results are pending and who will review them.
  • Baby supplements. BioGaia drops were part of the instructions I received. This is a historical product mention, not a recommendation for every baby; formulations differ, and the pediatrician should confirm whether any probiotic or vitamin D product is needed and the dose.

Current screening reminder: MinSalud expanded metabolic newborn screening in 2026, with progressive implementation. Ask which screens have been completed, when remaining samples or appointments are due, and who will explain the results. Arrange your baby’s and your own early follow-up before leaving; do not wait for a routine appointment if a concern needs earlier assessment.

Two practical steps from my own discharge experience:

  1. Accounting. After my gynecologist and the hospital pediatrician cleared us, administration called about payment. I took the receipt back to the nurse as part of our discharge process. Confirm your own billing arrangements; this story is not a rule that emergency care can depend on advance payment.
  2. Lab results. The first time, I picked up my baby’s blood-type and Rh results at Clínica El Rosario two or three days after discharge. The second time, I gave Labmédico my email on our way out and received the results the following day. At the time, the office was next to Doggers on the way to the parking garage. Ask the hospital for current collection instructions.

Registraduría’s current checklist calls for a separate blood-group/Rh exam when the supporting document is not the certificado de nacido vivo. Do not assume everyone needs to purchase or collect another test for registration; confirm what the office needs for your documents.

Add Your Baby to Health Coverage

Confirm your baby’s EPS enrollment before you leave. Under Decreto 780, newborn coverage starts at birth, normally through the mother’s EPS, and the certificado de nacido vivo can support initial enrollment. Where the civil record is not already available to the system or is needed to verify beneficiary status, provide it within three months. That is separate from the one-month civil-registration deadline. If neither parent is affiliated, ask the hospital enrollment team about the applicable route. Report the birth separately to any private insurer and confirm its own inclusion deadline.

Labmédico office Clínica El Rosario pregnancy in Medellín.

My Recommended Pregnancy Care Team in Medellín

I truly felt like I had the A-squad care team from start to finish throughout my pregnancy in Medellín. Happy to recommend:

These recommendations come from my pregnancies and the resources I collected then. Confirm current credentials, availability, location and acceptance of your exact insurance plan before booking.

Comunidad Ser Mamá was a resource I collected for pregnancy and parent support, including events and a festival with family-focused providers and businesses. Check its current calendar rather than assuming those events still run on the same schedule. For after baby arrives, I’ve also put together a postpartum support guide for Medellín.

After Baby: Registro Civil, U.S. Citizenship & Colombian Passport

While adjusting to all the newborn newness and enjoying the sweet snuggles, I personally prefer completing all the other paperwork as soon as I can while I’m on maternity leave. For me, after wrapping up my pregnancy in Medellín, that meant getting my child’s:

  • Registro civil de nacimiento and, if your child qualifies as Colombian, a Colombian passport: my birth-registration and Colombian passport guide covers the documents, process and my historical costs. Being born in Colombia does not automatically establish Colombian nationality for every child of foreign parents.
  • U.S. Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA), U.S. passport and Social Security number: a CRBA documents U.S. citizenship acquired at birth when the legal transmission requirements are met; it does not grant citizenship. My CRBA, passport and SSN guide explains the separate applications and my family’s experience.

If you had any questions about my experience that I didn’t cover, please comment below!

Frequently Asked Questions About Pregnancy in Medellín

Q1: How much does it cost to have a baby in Colombia without insurance?

My historical self-pay vaginal-birth experience came to about $2,000–$2,500 USD including the care and doula described above. It is not a current quote or a guarantee of what another birth will cost. The table preserves other 2022–2024 ranges, including C-section estimates collected then. We paid $15,000 with my first in the United States; that is our family’s historical bill, not a national comparison. Ask for current itemized COP quotes and what complications or extra stays would add.

Q2: What insurance do I need for pregnancy in Medellín?

Residents generally need affiliation to the Colombian health system, subject to the applicable eligibility and special-regime rules. EPS coverage and additional private coverage are different. I used SURA Global for my third, but its current published terms distinguish conception after enrollment for eligible family/collective policies from conception after day 60 for a sole-insured policy. Confirm your issued wording, provider network and newborn inclusion terms; do not rely on my old 30-day recollection. EPS medical care does not have that private-policy maternity waiting period.

Q3: Can I plan for a vaginal birth in Medellín?

Yes, and it helps to discuss your preferences, pain relief and possible changes of plan with your care team early. My OB supported vaginal birth when it was safe for me and my babies. A C-section can be necessary and lifesaving; the decision should reflect your clinical situation and informed discussion, not a regional percentage or an assumption about your insurance.

Q4: What hospital should I deliver at in Medellín?

I had positive experiences delivering both of my Medellín babies at Clínica El Rosario Sede Tesoro. Clínica Las Américas and Clínica del Prado were also names shared in the community resources I collected. That is not confirmation of current maternity admissions or coverage at any location. Ask your OB where they have privileges, then confirm current obstetric and neonatal services, referral plans, access and insurance arrangements with the hospital.

Q5: What documents do I need after giving birth in Colombia?

Before discharge, ask for the certificado de nacido vivo, vaccination record, discharge instructions and a plan for pending results and follow-up. Complete civil registration within the month following birth. If you are late, ask for the late-registration process rather than assuming the hospital certificate expired. See my birth-registration guide for the fuller checklist.

Pro tip: if a registration representative visits, ask which office they represent. Some later procedures still need that office, but it is not the only route for every copy. See digital and physical registro civil copy options.

Pregnancy Support and Baby Resources in Medellín

When I first moved to Colombia, I was four months pregnant with my second child. Thankfully, I had some idea of the appointments I needed and what to expect after having my first child in Colorado. However, I still searched for resources on navigating pregnancy in Colombia. After my third baby, my second born in Medellín, I wanted to organize my notes for current and future expecting mothers looking for support and planning to have their babies here too.

I compiled these resources from Medellín communities, word-of-mouth suggestions and my obstetrician’s recommendations. The directory and downloadable material reflect that historical collection; inclusion does not confirm current availability, fees, insurance contracts or qualifications. For health professionals, you can consult the official ReTHUS registry and ask the provider about their relevant experience. The resource sections include:

Pregnancy support and shopping resources

Below I’ve included some clarifying notes for each section.

Emergency Hospitals

I have had positive experiences seeking care for myself and my children at hospitals in my resource notes, and I delivered my two Medellín babies at Clínica El Rosario. Those experiences do not establish which site is appropriate for every emergency. Ask your care team in advance where to go for urgent obstetric care and what referral arrangements apply; seek urgent assessment when needed rather than waiting for your preferred doctor or paperwork.

Obstetricians

The obstetrician suggestions in my resource notes came from other families living in Medellín. Confirm professional registration, current availability and contact details directly. An Instagram account or a community recommendation is a starting point, not a credential check.

Questions to consider when reaching out:

  • Coverage: Do you accept my exact EPS or private policy for this service, and do I need an authorization?
  • Communication: Can we discuss care and consent in a language I understand, and what interpretation support is available? Do not assume everyone at the practice speaks English.
  • Birth preferences: How do you discuss vaginal birth, induction, C-section indications, pain relief and a change of plan? Who covers if you are away?

Doulas

If they don’t have a website, you can find their contact information via a link on their Instagram account.

Pelvic Floor Therapists

With my SURA Global policy at the time, I was eligible for ten covered pelvic-floor sessions with a fórmula. That was my benefit, not a universal SURA entitlement. Ask your current plan about the clinical referral, authorized provider, number of sessions and any copay.

Perinatal Psychologists

If they don’t have a website, you can find their contact information via a link on their Instagram account.

Prenatal Classes

My resource notes included parent classes, pregnancy support groups, newborn care, lactation support and first aid. Ser Mamá also appeared in my notes for family festivals. Ask the organizers for their current program and dates; I have not confirmed a recurring 2026 schedule for every listing.

Prenatal Fitness

Ask the specific Bodytech branch about its current Pilates equipment, classes and instructor experience with pregnancy. For SURA Industriales or hydrotherapy, confirm the service, referral and access rules for your exact EPS or private plan; having a SURA policy alone does not establish access. Discuss an exercise plan suitable for your pregnancy with your care team.

Prenatal Massages

I was hard-pressed to find a massage therapist with a pregnancy pillow that allowed me to lie face down. That was my search experience, not a recommendation for a particular position. Ask your care team about massage in your circumstances and confirm the therapist’s prenatal training, positioning and current services. Aqua Aura was in my notes for home visits; confirm whether that service is still offered.

Maternity Clothing

My notes included limited maternity wear at stores such as Éxito, Pepe Ganga and El Mundo de Laura, along with dedicated clothing options. Inventory changes, so check the store or its current contact details before making the trip.

Baby Stores – New

Éxito is like a Colombian Walmart, and Falabella is comparable to Macy’s in the USA. I always recommend looking at their online inventory if you can’t find what you need in-store. There are a lot of quality, cute Colombian brands listed as well.

Baby Stores – Used

Thrift stores like Goodwill are not common in Colombia, but these accounts are great for finding second-hand baby goods, with occasional new items as well. If you’re looking for something specific and don’t see it on their social media, I suggest sending them a message directly via WhatsApp or Instagram to check availability. Sometimes they might even put out a call to their followers asking if anyone is looking to sell what you need. If there’s no website, their contact information can be found via a link on their Instagram account.

Baby Furniture

My furniture notes include cribs, floor beds and custom-made options, with stores such as Pepe Ganga as additional places to check inventory. These are shopping leads, not a statement that every product is suitable for a newborn. Ask about the product’s intended age and safety specifications, and discuss safe infant sleep with your care team.

Looking for something specific?

I’d love to make this guide more inclusive and currently looking for recommendations to support expecting mother’s interested in more holistic, home birth experiences. If there’s something you think that I’m missing to include in the next updated version of the pregnancy guide, please leave a comment below and I’ll see what I can find to add next time!

Official Sources for the Current Guidance

Reviewed October 24, 2026: Colombia’s health-system rules; SURA Global’s published policy wording; Ley 2244 maternity rights; MinSalud pregnancy vaccines; newborn screening and discharge framework; 2026 screening expansion; WHO’s C-section guidance; and Registraduría’s birth-registration checklist. Confirm your own policy, care plan and documents with the relevant team.

More on: ,
Next story →

2 responses to “Pregnancy in Medellín: My Childbirth Experience and Resources”

  1. Kristina

    Hey Sarah! I leave in the USA but I am from Colombia, I’m pregnant and I am think to have my baby in Colombia do you think it will be possible to do that? I mean to start all the doctor appointments here and at some point before my due date travel to Colombia and give birth there.

    let me know your thoughts.

    Thank you

    Reply
    1. Sarah

      Hi Kristina! Absolutely and congratulations! I was 4 months pregnant with my second when we moved here and it’s totally possible, just depends on what kind of birth experience you’re looking for. I have a pregnancy guide on my blog as well with some resources as to OBGYNs, doulas, and other pregnancy support. We didn’t have insurance and I didn’t have my EPS set up when we moved but labor & delivery costs were still minimal especially compared to the USA, something to consider. I loved my childbirth experiences here tho.

      Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *