Expat Advice: Having a Baby in Zurich
What is the name of the city or town that you are reporting on?
Zurich
How recently did you give birth in the country that you are reporting on?
May 2002
Describe your experience giving birth there. What type of facility did you go to? What (if any) type of pain management did you use? How long did you stay in the hospital? Was it a positive experience? Etc...
Although our families were thousands of miles away, I was so well-cared for giving birth in Switzerland. I was initially planning to have my baby in a private hospital (much like a hotel) however my son was 2 months premature so we went to the University Hospital. I chose to give birth naturally and that is the usual method of choice in Switzerland so the midwife was very helpful in coaching my husband and I through the process. The baby nurses were so warm and caring and took a lot of time to show us how to care for our baby and helped me immensely with breastfeeding. The majority only spoke German. I stayed in the hospital for 1 week, which is customary, although it was longer than I felt I needed it was nice to be close to my son who stayed in hospital for 1 month. We paid a small fee and my husband was able to have a bed in my room and take meals as well so that he too could feel a part of our new family.
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How did you choose your doctor, midwife or other type of medical professional?
The hospital "assigned" me the doctor and midwife when I arrived.
If you were to have another child in this country, would you do anything differently in terms of preparation and/or the delivery?
I would have liked to take a birthing class to learn about the different natural methods available, but with the timing this time it was not possible!
If a friend of yours living in the same country were expecting, what advice would you give her?
Take advantage of the midwife help once you get home and also there is a possibility for someone to come to your house and help with light chores and run errands. This is a beautiful service to have when your family is so far away...
More Expat Advice about Having a Baby in Switzerland
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