<0 z Belby No Gifts and parties before Birth Announcements and celebrations are more intimate interactions among close friends and family. There is a superstition about causing harm by giving gifts during pregnancy. Pregnancy and Work Pregnant women have the option to reduce their work hours up to 15% and 1éweeks of maternity leave. A Long Hospital Stay France requires new mothers and babies to stay for 3-4 days, bring particular items, and take training sessions on caring for their child. Traditional Gifts For years, a squeaky giraffe named Sophie has been given to almost every baby in France. It is unknown how this tradition began. Lots of Bureaucracy When leaving the hospital, you are given a packet for all your child's medical records for the next 18 years. This packet is called the Carnet de Santé, and it is very complicated if you lose it.