Giving Birth in the Dominican Republic
Updated August 2025
Are you an expat considering pregnancy—or already pregnant—and planning to give birth in the Dominican Republic? You’re in the right place.
I’m Leiko, and since 2016 I’ve supported families across the DR as they prepare to welcome their babies. My goal is simple: to give you clear, realistic information so you can make the decisions that feel right for your pregnancy and birth. Whether you’re planning a vaginal birth or a scheduled C-section, this guide offers a starting point to understand your options and navigate the system here.
What’s Inside
General information
Choosing an Ob/Gyn
Prenatal care
Costs
Emergency care
Birth in the DR
Suggestions & next steps
General Information
If you’re weighing public vs. private care, here’s the short answer: choose private care. The difference in attention, comfort, and flexibility is significant. Everything you’ll read below refers to the private system.
The DR has modern private hospitals, skilled obstetricians, doulas, childbirth classes, prenatal yoga, physiotherapists, and lactation consultants. But depending on your preferences, you may need to travel to Santo Domingo or Santiago, where options are broader. For example:
If you’re fine with a scheduled C-section or don’t mind interventions, you’ll find many providers.
If you want a vaginal birth with minimal interventions, your options are fewer and more concentrated in the big cities.
You can either pick your hospital first (and find an Ob/Gyn who practices there) or choose a doctor first and then go with their hospital.
Choosing an Ob/Gyn
This is your most important decision. Every doctor has their own protocols, and your birth experience will largely reflect their way of working.
At your first appointment:
Share your preferences (tests, birth type, how long you want to wait for labor to start naturally).
See if the doctor is willing to discuss and respect your wishes.
Doctors are not obligated to fit your preferences—but you’re not obligated to stay with them either. If you don’t feel comfortable, move on. There are always options.
In my 9+ years of work, I’ve only met a handful of Ob/Gyns who truly respect mothers’ preferences, avoid scare tactics, and won’t rush into unnecessary C-sections. These are the ones I recommend, mostly in Santo Domingo, Santiago, and Nagua. In Punta Cana/Bávaro and Las Terrenas, protocols and doctors tend to be stricter and less flexible, so many women from that area choose to give birth in Santo Domingo despite the travel.
👉 Tip: Don’t rely only on expat word-of-mouth. Meet the doctor yourself and trust your gut.
Language: Some doctors speak English fluently; many say they do but aren’t fully comfortable.
And a final note: Don’t stay with a doctor who makes you miserable just because “everyone says they’re the most natural-birth friendly.” Your comfort and confidence matter as much as their skills.
Prenatal Care
Protocols may differ from your home country. Here are a few key points:
The same doctor who does your prenatal care usually attends your birth.
Long waits at offices are normal—bring water and a snack.
Tests and ultrasounds are usually done at separate labs or clinics. Bring the results yourself; files are kept by the patient.
If you’re paying cash, you don’t always need a prescription for labs/ultrasounds. With insurance, you do.
Costs
Doctor’s visits: RD$1,000–6,000 (US$18–110). First appointments are pricier (average US$90).
First-trimester lab bundle: ~RD$5,000 (US$90).
Follow-up bloodwork: ~RD$1,200 (US$22).
Ultrasounds: RD$1,500–4,000 (US$27–71). Specialized ones: up to RD$10,000 (US$180).
Vaginal Birth (no insurance):
Small private hospital: ~US$1,200.
Top-tier hospital: US$6,000~US$10,000.
Add epidural/anesthesiologist: US$300–1,500.
👉 Important: Higher cost doesn’t always equal better experience. What really matters is having the right doctor.
Emergency Care
Emergency care works best when you already have a doctor. If something happens, call your provider first—they’ll guide you to their office or a hospital ER.
If you go straight to an ER without a doctor, they’ll do basic checks, but keep in mind:
ER doctors are usually not Ob/Gyns.
Private hospitals rarely have an Ob/Gyn available 24/7.
That’s why having a provider you can call is essential.
Birth in the DR
Private hospitals here are usually smaller (20–40 rooms). A few things to know:
Labor may happen in a shared labor room (one companion allowed) or a private room (more companions allowed).
For delivery, most hospitals transfer you to an OR; companions are often restricted.
Some hospitals allow doulas in addition to your chosen companion.
Only one hospital in Santo Domingo offers “labor-delivery” in one room—more expensive, but the best setup if you can afford it.
C-sections are performed in the OR; companion presence varies by hospital.
Typical hospital stay: 1–2 days. All private rooms are single-occupancy, with standard or suite options.
Suggestions
Start searching for the right provider early—even before pregnancy if possible.
Consider hiring a doula (especially one who knows the system).
Take childbirth classes.
Plan for postpartum support—you’ll likely need it more than you expect.
Start saving—more resources mean more choices.
Need More Guidance?
If you’d like tailored information—specific doctors, hospitals, labs, clinics, or simply advice to fit your situation—reach out:
📩 Email: info@leikohidaka.com