jdr

There are English midwives that hire themselves out, but don`t know if their papers are valid here if there is a problem ?

valenciatim

Our third child (2nd Spanish one) was born in Valencia in October under the state healthcare system. The only contact with a midwife outside of the hospital was at the local doctors surgery. No home visits at all. There were no choices or options given for the birth at all. As soon as you are admitted into hospital for the birth, there is no further contact whatsoever until after the birth, not partners, relatives or children! So make sure your friend has a good dictionary!

fionamw

Not my call, but by the sounds of everything so far she won't be within a whiff of a Spanish hospital, & may avoid the Spanish healthcare system totally. For myself, and I know a lot will feel vehemently opposed, but I don't blame her. Isolation, intervention & stress (not to mention language issues) are NOT what a labouring woman needs.

Sam Greenfield

Tim - do you mean that you have to have the baby on your own - no hubby - nothing - Christ i couldnt have gone through that on my own

valenciatim

Correcto!!

rachelk

Fiona, I was looking through an old magazine nd it has an article about home birth options, with some links re home or natural birthing.

www.nacerencasa.org

www.elpartoesnuestro.es

www.crianzanatural.com

www.elbebe.com

If you want the full article (from Dec 2007) PM me a postal address.

Ka Ora!

A English lady up the road from here 15 km has just been charged with manslaughter for assisting with a home birth that did not go according to plan, It's not Spain but right next door as you know. In France Home Births are not encouraged but do happen, personally if someone was making critical decisions I would check their credentials First.

mrsjdr

Our daughter gave birth in March in Costa Del Sol Hospital Marbella, excellent care before during and after birth, far better than UK experience. Our son in law remained throughout, only thing he was not allowed to do was cut the cord.

Most staff spoke english or spoke slowly so language not too much problem, but if in doubt they have translators available for anything if required.

Registering birth, etc., etc., very straightforward and done with no problem.

scampicat

Thank goodness I'm past it

dmu

How old is your friend? If it's any help, they don't do an amniocentesis in France before 38 (although it might have changed since my day), unless there are antecedents in one of the families. If no one on this Forum knows for Spain, then your friend should ask her Doctor (who in fact should recommend it if she falls in the age category).

lynnxa

bet you're pleased

fionamw

Thanks everyone - gradually building up a picture. It's words & phrases like 'allowed' & 'should recommend' that actually worry my friend & those of us concerned about intervention - but knowing where she might get an ok experience if all else fails is comforting. Thanks for the various websites posted, have to admit I haven't passed them on yet but she's only just up the hill (hope I don't end up HAVING to help, it's a xxxx steep hill) & I'll print them off.
As for being past it..... let me warn you ladies, it's not impossible naturally mid-40s

intheknow

In terms of partners being allowed in, I was. I had to wait a little while for them to do things to her first but it was no problem. It depends on the individual hospital.

jdr

In the Costa del Sol hospital there is no problem, even Nana and Grandad were in the room taking pics when Cristiano was 8 hours old.

fionamw

I'll stop tub-thumping shortly, & the most important thing is that you've all had deliveries/experiences to suit you, & mums, babies/grandchildren happy & healthy ....however doesn't it seem strange to you to be sounding grateful that they'll let you do things that are actually natural processes & shouldn't be interfered with even half as much as they are in today's techno-medicalised childbirth? It's choice that's at issue - and so far I've no confidence that my friend or anyone else has much choice at all in Spain.