Chances are you’ll know exactly what is going on when you are in labour! There are various symptoms to look out for, including contractions (which will feel like very strong period pains that worsen as they go on), back pain and your waters breaking. You, your partner and your midwife will likely have drawn up a birthing plan covering everything from the items to take with you to the hospital, to your chosen pain relief. Following this will help you to, hopefully, go through labour as you planned it – including whether or not you have a natural or caesarean birth (although this may change depending on the circumstances on the day).
Immediately after the birth, and in the days that follow, be prepared to face quite an emotional time for you and your partner, with lots to learn and do. Getting to know your baby is extremely exciting, but you must also give your body time to recover from the labour and birth.
Registering a new born in Malta
In the case of every child
born, it is the duty of the father and the mother, and in default of both, of
the physician, surgeon, midwife, or any other person in attendance at the
birth, or
in whose house the birth has
taken place, to give, within fifteen days of such birth, notice thereof to the Public Registry. The person transmitting such notice, is to
present his/her Identity Card, and any documentation provided to him/her by the
hospital.
Where the birth occurred in
Malta he/she must register at:
Identity Malta Agency Office,
Mater Dei Hospital,
San Gwann, Malta
or
Public Registry,
Evans Building,
Merchants Street,
Valletta VTL2000,
Malta
Tel: (356) 2590 4200
Where the birth occurred in
Gozo he/she must register at:
Public Registry,
By the Bastion Road,
Victoria VCT 2909,
Gozo
Tel: (356) 2215 6381/2/3/5
The notification of birth is normally a straightforward and simple process. The form is usually completed in a few minutes. The applicant will always be assisted by an official of the Public Registry, Notifications Section, throughout the whole process. Once the form is complete, one may within ten (10) working days order the birth certificate online from
www.certifikati.gov.mt. The birth certificate will be sent by post. The Public Registry will process the order within six (6) days from date of submission. Alternatively, the Birth certificate may be collected from the Public Registry, Civil Status Section, Evans Building, Valletta or the Public Registry, Civil Status Section, Victoria, Gozo.
In order for the
acknowledgement to be registered on the Act of Birth, one has to seek the
services of a lawyer and follow a legal process. Once the acknowledgment
process is finalised, original court documents are to be presented to the
Public Registry,
where an annotation is effected on the birth certificate, against no payment or
filling of any forms.
OBTAINING PARENTAL AUTHORITY
What is parental authority?
A child who has not
attained the age of eighteen years is subject to the parental authority of both
parents even if the child is born outside wedlock. Parental authority is exercised by common
accord of both parents and after the death of one parent, it is exercised by
the surviving parent.
If the parents are not in agreement on decisions relative to the child,
what can be done?
In case of
disagreement between the parents on matters of particular importance, either
parent may file and application to the Civil Court (Family Section) indicating
those directions which he or she considers appropriate in the circumstances.
How is the procedure conducted before the court?
The court shall hear both
parents and the child (if the child has reached the age of fourteen years) and shall
make suggestions to the parents. If the disagreement persists, the court shall
authorize the parent whom it considers more suitable to protect the interests
of the child in the particular case to decide upon the issue.
Maternity and Paternity Leave in Malta
Today most parents work, so time off is obviously required before and after the birth of a new baby. By law each employee is entitled to a defined amount of maternity leave, without loss of pay or any other benefit. The employer must follow a set standards when an employee is pregnant.
For a general guide to maternity and paternity leave and benefits in Malta, click here. You can also learn more about Maternity Benefit in Malta. Meanwhile, for more detailed information on benefits in the Public Sector, you can also consult the Family-Friendly Measures Handbook.
Government Benefits for Parents in Malta
