I'm an American who's pregnant in France. It's been great in some ways, but there are times I wish I were back home.
I'm pregnant and living in France. My experience and care here has been great so far, but there are times I wish I were back home in the US.
Audrey Bruno, an American woman living in France, finds herself torn between the positive aspects of the French approach to pregnancy and her longing for life back home in the United States. She discovered her pregnancy in 2026 while living in France, and despite thorough preparations, she has encountered cultural differences that have made her homesick.
In France, midwives are the norm for low-risk pregnancies, with extensive education and training, unlike the US where OB-GYNs are more common. The French healthcare system covers most pregnancy costs, and there's a government birth bonus for low-income families. However, Audrey misses American traditions like baby showers, favorite snacks, and the presence of her loved ones.
She acknowledges that no French cornichons can replace American pickles and that she misses the physical presence of family and friends for support during this time.
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