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.

When I fell in love with a Frenchman who wanted kids as much as I did, I knew there was a distinct possibility that I'd be going through pregnancy on foreign soil. And when we moved to France in 2021, with no intention of leaving anytime soon, my fate seemed all but sealed.

Yet, despite my best efforts, nothing could have prepared me for the cultural differences surrounding pregnancy in France. Although I've found there's a lot to love about the French approach, there have also been a handful of times I've wished I were back in the US with my family in Southern California, where I'm originally from.

I was expecting to have an OB-GYN, but using midwives is the norm over here

Though midwifery isn't regulated nationally in the US, it is in France. Here, midwives are required to attend six years of schooling and obtain a master's degree.

I'm being treated by three midwives, and I love the way they're specialized to my different needs. There's one who performs the sonograms and monthly checkups, one who will get me through the delivery, and one who provides classes to help me prepare.

Most of my pregnancy costs are covered by the national health insurance program

By contrast, France requires all residents to register with the national healthcare system, which can subsidize up to 70% of related charges until the fifth month of pregnancy, and all associated costs from six months onward.

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For what's not covered during the first half, most people have a second insurance called a mutuelle — generally provided by your employer — that fills in the gaps.

This will more than make up the difference if my husband and I qualify for it.

France has gone above and beyond my expectations in a number of categories, but there's no denying that I'd trade a lot for a taste of home — literally. No French cornichon can ever live up to the real-deal American pickles I've been dreaming of.

I've also had to accept that I'm probably not going to get a baby shower while I'm over here, as celebrations like that aren't part of the local customs. Although French folks have started to embrace things like registering for baby gifts, even that's not always a given.