My Experience with Moscow's Maternity Kitchen: A Great Option for Pregnant Women

Moscow's maternity kitchen is a great option for pregnant women, but it's not without its challenges. Let's take a closer look at what it has to offer.

Maternity Kitchen, MoscowMaternity kitchens are actually for different social groups, all under one roof. So, since we're focusing on the maternity wing, let's dive in.

Baby on board? Pregnant women can get free products at a maternity kitchen if it's allowed by local law. To get started, you'll need a doctor's note from your OB-GYN and then submit an online application through the government services portal - think 'Gosuslugi' or your local equivalent. The product selection and rules vary by region, so be sure to check with your local social services or OB-GYN for the details.

Today, we're talking about the maternity kitchen in Moscow.

Milk Kitchen for Pregnant Women, MoscowI was surprised at how quickly the registration process went. I just showed up at the state women's clinic and my electronic medical record was updated with a 'Milk Kitchen' entry. I didn't have to attach any documents or register anywhere else. It was all super easy and hassle-free... I didn't even know it could be that smooth (although, as expected, I had a different experience with government services after my kid was born!). Next, you need to choose the pickup point where you'll collect your products - you can change it later - and set the dates for your visits. A QR code will be generated, and you'll use it to collect your products.

Milk Kitchen for Pregnant Women, Moscow You'll need to choose your dates and generate a new code every month. Below, I'll share my experience with this step. Milk Kitchen for Pregnant Women, Moscow

Everything happens within the EMIA system - you can access it from the website or download the app.

The discount period for pregnant women is set from the date of registration for pregnancy and is calculated based on the expected due date, but it can't exceed 9 months. The system automatically calculates the discount period using the EMIA system.

In simple terms, it's until the expected due date.

A Moscow-based milk kitchen for pregnant womenAnd here's the thing - after submitting your application, getting the products from the milk kitchen is also regulated. Make sure to keep track of the information so you can get everything on time.

So, the start date of the calendar period for which the order is placed (QR code) depends on the date of order submission (QR code):

- If the order is submitted in the first half of the month, it's placed for the current month with a full monthly quota;

- If the order is submitted before the 15th of the month, it's placed for the current month with a full monthly quota;

- If the order is submitted after the 15th of the month, it's placed for the next month with a full monthly quota.

Prenatal kitchen in MoscowIf your situation's different, check out the full info on the website [link] in the section

Instruction - How to get products from the prenatal kitchen

What do pregnant women get at the prenatal kitchen?

Pregnant and breastfeeding women get vitaminized juice and milk

That's what's supposed to happen.

Prenatal kitchen in MoscowYou can get your order.

Prenatal kitchen in MoscowYou get to choose all the options.

I got my order using a QR code. Yeah, they say you can get it by proxy, but in reality, they'll give it to your spouse or family member with a code. Although, when I was there, a guy came with a proxy, and the staff member took a long time to verify it, made some notes, and finally gave him the products.

You can even change the dates.

Moscow's Maternity KitchenI've checked the availability calendar, and it's clear that many people have already chosen these dates - they're marked in red. The green ones are still up for grabs.

The pickup point's operating hours are

Moscow's Maternity Kitchen Moscow's Maternity Kitchen Here's what the pickup point looks like.

Moscow's Maternity Kitchen They even have a little sofa for you to sit on while you wait.

Moscow's Maternity Kitchen You can leave your packages with the staff.

All the products come in tetra packs, with expiration dates always well ahead of three months. I've never had any issues with products expiring on me.

There's an info stand where you can find out more about the products and pickup times.

Pregnancy Kitchen in Moscow

Important!

After the baby's birth, the package of products will remain if you're a breastfeeding mom (it'll be bigger in volume + 3 liters of milk and 1 pack of juice). Getting this option set up was way harder than during pregnancy. I'll share my experience so you don't run into the same issue! I set it up online through the government services portal after registering my kid. I couldn't physically go to the MFC (same structure as the police department, but I had to submit it to the police department). No callbacks were received. I sent it again... complete silence. Then I went to the polyclinic (for a scheduled appointment and to set up the service), and they told me that the kid's registration wasn't visible and I needed to bring a Form 8 certificate of registration. I had to go to the MFC for a meeting, and I also wrote a complaint about the lack of service. I'm a single mom with a little kid, and just going to the MFC without a stroller is a luxury! Of course, I missed the 15th day and was left without the pregnancy kitchen for a month. When I visited the MFC in person, they registered my kid immediately and gave me the certificate right away... Of course, I had written a complaint, but I would've had to wait for 5 more days otherwise. So don't trust online submission – go in person to register your kid and order the certificate of registration right away to catch the delivery on time.

Pregnancy Kitchen in Moscow So, what did I run into?

Heavy lifting!I was expecting to haul around a total of 13 kg, but I ended up splitting it into three trips and averaging 4.3 kg each time. When I realized I'd have to carry it, I headed to the dairy kitchen. But 4.3 kg is still a lot for a pregnant woman like me! I've got a question for the dairy kitchens: how do they handle deliveries for single moms or women whose husbands are away on business? And if there are any issues with the pregnancy, carrying more than 2 kg is out of the question... They could at least divide the portions into four! That way, I could pick up a portion every week and still get the products that are legally entitled to me.

The delivery system was a lot different from what I expected! You'll get three boxes that can't be split, and you can either pick them up all at once, twice a month, or one box at a time every three weeks.

Dairy kitchen for pregnant women, MoscowInside the boxes: 6 liters of milk, 4 liters of juice, and 3 liters of milk. And then you're pregnant and you get 6 liters of milk... How am I supposed to carry that?! There must be a lot of pregnant women out there who don't always have an extra pair of hands to carry it with. I was wondering about this for a long time. I finally saw a solution when a girl came by with one of these carts. But even then, it's not like it's going to be easy to carry.

That's what the carts look like.

Cart alternativeOr women would come with a stroller without a baby and carry everything in the stroller. But it's just not practical for me to be pushing a stroller around with a big belly, let alone getting it into the bus. It's only convenient if you live really close by.

Pregnancy milk kitchen, MoscowPregnancy milk kitchen, MoscowI had my delivery point just 20 minutes' walk from home, but it wasn't a straightforward stroll – I had to navigate some stairs along the way. You could also take two buses to get there. I usually walked there in the morning for a bit of exercise, but on my way back, I'd take the bus, unless it was one of those rare occasions when I needed to pick up 6 liters of milk. That's when I'd call a taxi – it cost me anywhere from 350 to 550 rubles. Let's do the math... Milk costs around 100 rubles per pack, and that's roughly the same as the taxi fare. If your delivery point is further away and the taxi ride is more expensive, you might wonder if it's all worth it.

Pregnancy milk kitchen, MoscowFor the past two months, I've also been having 4-liter juices delivered by taxi, as I didn't want to risk straining myself by carrying them.

Milk Kitchen for Pregnant Women, Moscow Milk Kitchen for Pregnant Women, Moscow Dates! I've learned to check dates regularly, especially a day before pickup, just to make sure they haven't changed on me. Choosing dates isn't always easy either – it's best to do it around the 20th of the month for the upcoming month, otherwise, all the dates will be in red and there won't be much of a choice. In my area, Mondays and Tuesdays are basically a no-go for picking up dates. I asked the staff at the distribution point about it, and they told me that I could come any day, as long as I had the QR code, and they'd take care of me. So, if you can't make it on your chosen date, just move it forward and come whenever it's convenient for you. But, be aware that this system relies on the MRP, because I've read that some points don't allow it and won't give out products on a different day than the one you chose. When I was there, the staff told me to come back in a week because my chosen date had been changed. I've always gotten my dates on the day I chose, but it's always a good idea to check with the staff beforehand to avoid any issues. Mondays and Tuesdays are usually the days when they give out baby food, since it's perishable, and they try to get it out of the way early. If you do come on those days, be prepared for a long queue. You can still come, but it's not ideal.

<\/a> Dairy Kitchen for Pregnant Women, Moscow<\/div>But they're still selling it! Or what to do with the products.<\/ul>I was really surprised when I found out about this whole business with the dairy kitchen on Avito. Many people are just selling their products. Exactly the same 100 rubles for a pack of milk. I was totally blown away! It's like everyone's making a business out of it \u270b. Although there are some who can't digest lactose or are vegetarians and just don't drink milk. The second good part sends their husbands to the maternity hospital, who are the ones drinking this milk. Pregnant women themselves seem to consume it rarely! I've read excerpts about what people do with milk, some women even make cheese! But first place, of course, 'went to the husband'. <\/p>

<\/a> Dairy Kitchen for Pregnant Women, Moscow<\/div> \u00a0 <\/p>

I don't drink milk myself, but I can tolerate lactose. Plus, the body needs protein and calcium especially, so I actively added milk to my diet - now I only make porridge with milk! I added it to drinks, made pancakes, mashed potatoes with milk, I even found a recipe for jelly with milk. <\/p>

Beverage Kitchen for Pregnant Women, Moscow Beverage Kitchen for Pregnant Women, Moscow On average, I went through 3 packs per month.

Beverage Kitchen for Pregnant Women, MoscowI had no issues with the juices, I drank the whole amount within a month. You'll get these 500ml packs with 5 apple juices and 3 apple-grape juices, all with pulp and 100% natural.

Beverage Kitchen for Pregnant Women, MoscowI'm not sure if they're available for sale, I haven't seen them (but I did find some on Avito!).

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I highly recommend the Beverage Kitchen in Moscow for pregnant women. Sign up with the state's ZK and get access to these products. The package is great in my opinion!

Dairy Kitchen for Pregnant Women, Moscow I've got to say, Moscow residents are pretty lucky - in other regions, this option either doesn't exist or you get a paltry 100 rubles for food. That's a huge plus and I'm grateful.

But I wasn't exactly thrilled, lugging around 4-6 kg in my third trimester... Why didn't anyone think about the socially vulnerable category of women or those of us with overbearing partners? If I'd had any pregnancy complications, I wouldn't have bothered picking up anything - it just wasn't a priority. It's a thoughtless oversight. And as for value for money, with the cost of taxis, I'm not getting a great deal on the products, but it's nice to feel like I'm getting some support. Without the dairy kitchen, I probably wouldn't have bought milk at all. And that's calcium for the baby!