Birth & Life with Your New-Born

Labour

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 parents, 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 persons transmitting such notice, is to present their Identity Card, and any documentation provided by the hospital.

If the birth happens in Malta, registration must take place either at the:

Identity Malta Agency Office,
Mater Dei Hospital,
Triq id-Donaturi tad-Demm,
l-Imsida MSD 2090

Public Registry,
Onda Building
Aldo Moro Road, Marsa MRS 9065

Tel: (356) 2590 4200

If the birth happened in Gozo, then registration must take place at the:

Gozo Public Registry,
By the Bastion Road,
Victoria VCT 1335,
Gozo

Tel: (356) 2215 6381/2/3/5

Online on https://www.identitymalta.com/services/

By post by sending an email on localnotifications.pubreg@gov.mt.

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, Local and Foreign Notifications Section, throughout the whole process.

Once the notification of birth is complete, the birth certificate may be ordered online within ten (10) working days 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 and Customer Care Section, Onda Building, Triq Aldo Moro, Marsa, MRS 9065, or the Gozo Public Registry, Civil Status Section, Victoria, Gozo.

In order for an 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.

The Public Registry automatically obtains the required court papers to annotate the relevant birth certificates. Citizens need not do or apply for anything.

MATERNITY Benefits IN MALTA

In today's life most parents are in an employment. In the event of a birth, time to take care of the new-born baby is of essence. 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 of standards when an employee is pregnant.

For a general guide to maternity benefits and benefits leave in Malta, click here.

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

Other than parental leave, parents in Malta are eligible for various benefits to help them financially when it comes to raising their children. These include a Children’s Allowance, a Disabled Children’s Allowance, a Milk Grant Benefit and Social Assistance for Single Parents.

For further information, kindly click here.