"Matrona" meaning and more info about matronas in Spain

If you’re thinking about starting a family in Spain, or you’re already on your way, you’re sure to have come across the term “matrona” during your research and preparation. This word is something you will need to familiarize yourself with, as matronas are an essential part of the pregnancy journey in Spain. In this article, learn the meaning of matrona and all about how they will be involved during your pregnancy in Spain. 

What is the meaning of “matrona” and what do they do?

Translated into English, matrona means midwife. According to the European Commission, a matrona is a health professional that provides comprehensive sexual, reproductive, and maternal health care for women, in the aspects of prevention, health promotion, health care and recovery, including maternal care, diagnosis, monitoring and assistance during pregnancy, birth and the postpartum period, and healthy newborn care during the first weeks of life. 

You’ll meet with your matrona in Spain every few months during the course of your pregnancy. Matronas routinely provide vaccines during pregnancy (like the flu shot), conduct assessments of the baby (such as its heart rate and position), and give you all birth preparation materials you need to get informed (such as what to pack in your hospital bag and tips for taking care of baby after going home). After giving birth, you will see your matrona a few days later to check on the status of the baby and yourself, (checking their weight, breastfeeding woes and tactics, etc.) and you’ll also see them again a few weeks later to make sure your recovery is on track. 

What is the difference between a matrona and a medical doctor? 

Although they are highly skilled and essential to your pregnancy journey in Spain, matronas are not medical doctors. They work alongside obstetricians and gynecologists (OB-GYNs) in hospitals and clinics to ensure well-rounded and complete maternity care. In Spain, a matrona will meet with you several times throughout your pregnancy, and a matrona or team of matronas will supervise low-risk births. Obstetricians are not required at the birth unless complications arise.  

On the other hand, an OB-GYN is a medical doctor specialized in women’s reproductive health, pregnancy, and childbirth. They must complete medical school and further training, as they regularly need to perform surgeries and C-sections. Matronas cannot perform surgeries or manage high-risk pregnancies or births. 

Outside of the hospital setting, matronas tend to be common at home-based births or birthing centers with alternative birthing methods such as water births. But know that neither of these are very common in Spain. However, if complications arise, the pregnant woman will always need to meet with a certified doctor or be transferred to the hospital. 

Midwife usage around the world

According to the Commonwealth Fund, as of 2018, there were only four midwives per 1,000 live births in the United States. Other wealthy, developed countries, such as France, Switzerland and Germany, employed 25 or more midwives per 1,000 live births. Australia and Sweden had some of the most midwives per capita in the world, averaging 68 and 66 per 1,000 live births. 

Thus, if you’re from Australia, the UK, or Germany, you are probably already familiar with the type of care and services that you will receive from a matrona. However, for Americans, the concept can be quite foreign as midwives are not common in the traditional American medical system. Scientific American states that “for women with low-risk pregnancies who wish to deliver vaginally, it often makes sense to employ a midwife rather than a more costly surgeon. Yet only about 8 percent of U.S. births are attended by midwives.” 

Furthermore, “studies show that midwife-attended births are as safe as physician-attended ones, and they are associated with lower rates of C-sections and other interventions that can be costly, risky and disruptive to the labor process.” So, if you’re an American in Spain having doubts about matronas, you can find peace of mind knowing that the outcomes with matronas are very safe and successful. If you’re still having doubts, you can ensure guaranteed access to an obstetrician through private health insurance. 

Private maternity insurance with Caser

There are many pros and cons of public maternity care in Spain, but one of the reasons that many expat women might choose to get the private route is access to an obstetrician during the birth, and you can choose between the top private hospitals and doctors in Spain. As mentioned, in the public system, matronas will supervise a low-risk birth and an obstetrician will only be called if complications arise. 

Other common reasons to get private maternity insurance in Spain include: private rooms and a bed for your partner, services in your language, more scans and ultrasounds, less wait times, and extra maternity services. Special maternity services that come along with Caser maternity insurance include: Infertility study, in vitro fertilization, prenatal genetic testing, physical and psychological preparation for the birth, postpartum recovery like pelvic floor rehabilitation, and much more. 

Now that you know the matrona meaning and more info about matronas in Spain, you can decide for yourself if you feel comfortable leaving your care in the hands of experienced midwives, or you'd like a dedicated obstetrician at your birth guaranteed through private insurance. Whichever avenue you choose, the healthcare professionals will work hard to ensure the health of you and your baby. 

To discover all the details of Caser maternity insurance, download the free guide below: