Your right to receive health care during childbirth is a part of your human right to health. Due to its importance, medical assistance during childbirth is included in the State-paid medical assistance minimum in Latvia.
Your right to receive health care during childbirth is a part of your human right to health. Due to its importance, medical assistance during childbirth is included in the State-paid medical assistance minimum in Latvia. However, State-financed assistance during childbirth is provided only at medical institutions under contract with the National Health Service.
From 1 August 2022, if a woman herself has expressed such a wish, epidural anaesthesia (analgesia) during labour is also available and financed by the State. Additional services offered by the medical facility (for example, a specific doctor or midwife to attend the birth or a comfort room in a hospital), are chargeable.
note Latvian law does not provide for free medical assistance during a home birth. Therefore, if you do not wish to give birth at a medical facility such as a hospital, you cannot ask for medical services to be provided free of charge.
important The general requirements for medical assistance and methods used during childbirth are set out in the Procedures for Providing Maternity Assistance.
Read more about Pregnancy & Child birth in this Guide.