Giving birth at Sanatorio Otamendi: maternity, NICU and registration

In short

Sanatorio Otamendi has operated since 1928, and its neonatology, founded in 1970, is considered the first in Argentina to introduce intensive newborn care. Today it handles more than 3,000 births a year, and its NICU treats over 700 critically ill newborns annually. The clinic has a Russian-language website and a programme for foreign patients. It suits families who want a large maternity unit with strong neonatology and the option of water birth.

The maternity in figures

How births are handled

After the birth, mother, baby and companion stay together under the respectful-birth law, if the clinical condition allows. The pre-labour area is on the 5th floor, and there is a room for water birth and hydrotherapy in labour. Note: immersion is possible from more than 4 cm dilation, for up to 2 hours, and cannot be combined with an epidural.

Visiting hours are 10:00–12:00 and 14:00–20:00, up to two guests; after 20:00 only one companion may stay, and their night is charged separately. The baby goes home only in a car seat brought by the family.

Neonatal care

Neonatology is the clinic’s main strength: several ventilation modes, nitric oxide, whole-body cooling and an ultrasound unit inside the ward. There is a lactation clinic (from pregnancy to weaning), a perinatal psychology unit and a Baby Concierge personal-support programme.

Birth registration on site

The Civil Registry office is on the ground floor, Mon–Fri 8:30–16:00 (ext. 5685). The birth record reaches it 24 hours after the birth. Married parents: one parent can go with the marriage certificate and both IDs; unmarried parents must both attend. The baby’s DNI is mailed to the address you give. Parents who do not speak Spanish need a sworn translator — see “Sworn translation”; next steps — “Your baby’s documents after birth”.

For foreigners: payment and documents

The Otamendi Sin Fronteras programme for foreigners helps with appointments, transfers and accommodation and sends reports to your doctor at home. On admission foreigners show a passport and pay a refundable deposit — required from every patient regardless of insurance; cash, Visa, Mastercard and Amex are accepted. It is returned at discharge if there are no uncovered costs. Deposit amounts and prices are not published.

What to ask before signing

• whether the water-birth room is available around your date and what it costs;
• the deposit amount and what happens if neonatal care is needed;
• what the package includes: birth, anaesthesia, paediatrician, nights in the room, companion;
• the price of a caesarean and of a day in neonatology — almost never in the base price;
• whether the doctor’s and midwife’s fees are separate from the clinic;
• the deposit amount, currency and when it is returned;
• how birth registration works and whether a sworn translator is needed.

How we help

We know how Otamendi works with foreign patients: we help you choose a doctor who delivers there, request a written quote, interpret at appointments and the birth, and handle the birth registration, DNI and the baby’s passport. All clinics compared — “Where to give birth in Buenos Aires”; the budget — “What birth costs in 2026”. For a personal coordinator every day, see the Premium package.