Birth tourism - US woman relocates to North Wales to have her baby

Haley Agra, 25, and her partner Lewis Blackshaw, 26, found out they were pregnant during a trip to Lewis' home country of Wales.

At the time, Haley and Lewis were living in Japan and Haley didn't have have health insurance set up in America.

With the average cost of childbirth in the US ranging from £11,331 ($14,768) to £20,165 ($26,280) for a C-section, the couple made the decision to stay in the UK.

Haley, who is from North Carolina, and Lewis had to pay for care in the NHS as Haley had not yet been granted her visa.

The final bill was around £7,885 ($10,250) with the couple still able to save a whopping £12k ($16k).

Haley, a social media manager from Emerald Isle, North Carolina, said: "Given my position it was definitely the right and cheaper decision to have Arthur here.

"I honestly think that it was a lot less stressful giving birth here in Wales than it would’ve been in America.

"Here I have the support of my partner and of the NHS."

Haley and Lewis met in November 2022 in Hakuba, Japan, where they were both working as ski and snowboarding instructors.

In May 2023, Haley and Lewis travelled to Wales to visit Lewis' family.

Two months later, Haley fell pregnant.

Haley Agra, 25, and her baby. Photo: SWNS

She said: "In July 2023, I accidentally ripped out my IUD and I didn't have insurance.

"That meant I couldn't get access to any birth control unless it was emergency contraception.

"A month later in August I found out I was pregnant."

Haley was still on a standard visitor visa and could only stay in the country for up to six months at a time.

To ensure she wasn't overstaying her visa, Haley visited her sister in Marshall, Minnesota, in October 2023.

Once there, Haley had her first blood test and ultrasound and was taken aback by the cost.

Haley Agra, 25, and her baby. Photo: SWNS

She said: "I had my blood taken and an ultrasound in America when I was two months pregnant.

"Those two appointments cost £767 ($1,000), which I am still paying off today."

The reality of high medical bills if she were to give birth in the US really hit home in this moment, leading her to the decision to relocate to the UK.

As her delivery date approached, Haley decided to apply for a family visa to give birth in the UK.

Haley Agra, 25, her partner Lewis Blackshaw and their baby. Photo: SWNS

She began receiving care from NHS community midwives from the 20-week mark of her pregnancy and noticed difference in pricing immediately.

She said: "In contrast to my US appointments, my prenatal care with the community midwives total to about £1,200 ($1,559).

"That number includes all of my prenatal care from 20 weeks of pregnancy onwards."

Haley gave birth to her son Arthur Blackshaw on May 18 at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd.

Due to complications, Hayley had to have an emergency C-section, which cost £2,000 ($2,599).

Haley Agra, 25, her family, partner Lewis Blackshaw and their baby. Photo: SWNS

She also had to stay in hospital for five extra days after contracting an infection and had to pay £900 ($1,170) per day.

Despite the additional costs, Haley and Lewis' final medical invoice of £7,885 ($10,250) was still significantly cheaper than giving birth in the US.

Haley said: "We didn't know this, but the NHS charge for emergency C-sections and most extra services for any unplanned medical issues.

"The c-section cost about £2,000 ($2,599) and the extra days ran us about £900 ($1,170) per day.

"It was definitely cheaper here.

"Especially because I didn't have job security in the states.

"I'm happy to have been able to take this route."

A week after their son was born, Haley was granted her family visa and is now residing in the Prestatyn area.