I went as a public patient for my first baby. I received ante-natal care at Naas hospital, which has a program run by Coombe midwives. I will be going there again for my second child due in Dec 2008. I wouldn't know which other hospital to choose as I live in Co. Kildare. Coombe is the closest. A i had tested positive for GBS weeks earlier, I got a private birthing room as I'd have to be put on antibiotics. I was shocked to find the bathroom there dirty with bloody sanitary towels and blood on the toilets. No hurry to clean it up for me. The midwives were very good to me and checked in on me often. The doctor ended up using forceps and I got the dreadded episiostimy (which almost everyone whom I know has given birth here got, and have since found out it was invented here in the 1800s!!!). My sister who is a nurse in the USA says they massage they perineal area during labour in the US, which they do not do here. They cut it and don't think twice about using foreceps or a ventouse. I was allowed to start breastfeeding as soon as my son was born. The midwives seemed quite happy that I was confident about doing it. Then I was put into the public ward which was pretty terrible. There were 8 women and 8 babies in the room on the 1st night. I barely got any sleep and wanted to leave but couldn't as my baby had to receive the GBS antibiotics for 72 hours. The nures that came into check on us were either very helpful or stand-offish. One Filipino nurse tried to encourage me to give my baby a bottle of formula each night. She said he would sleep better and get more milk this way. She didn't seem to know much or care about breastfeeding. I finally gave her into one night and thats when I found out my oon had a milk allergy. Yippee!!! No more formula for him! Many Irish women though do not even attempt breastfeeding and the nurses are always going on about how you have a choice. Again, was shocked and sickened at the dirty bathrooms. Maybe 8 stalls in the bathroom and most toilets covered in blood and dirty sanitary napkins sitting on top of the bins. Nobody bothers to flush their toilet. Couldn't wait to get out of there and am dreading the next time I go. Had a big shock when I visited my sister in her room in the States after she had given birth. Room to herself, computer there, big window with view of the Rockies, and peaceful and quiet! (Continue)

Deplorable.

Staff attitudes from the 50s. This is the country that pioneered the medically managed model of birthcare, and they've not changed a lot since. Prenatal care is better and more personable for dairy cattle and don't even ask about postnatal care.

The only breastfeeding mothers I saw for the 5 day duration of my stay were foreign, like me. The hospital provided breastfeeding classes which were utterly laughable, and otherwise treated us like the lowest, most loathsome, stupid, and aggravating people in the ward. How *dare* we breastfeed and room in with our infants?

If you want birth-trauma, or a cesarean, you're in the right place. If you want a natural birth with personal attention, forget it. (Continue)

A private school. Originally a Presbyterian school, but all faiths are made to feel welcome and there is Communion class for Catholics. (Yes this matters in Ireland as every school teaches religion there).

The pre-school program is Montessori based and excellent. Starts at age 3.

We relocated our home to be closer to this school. There are only a few private "international" choices in Dublin. The others would be St. Andrews in Blackrock (Dublin), The German School in Clonskeagh (Dublin) and the International School in Ballsbridge (Dublin). Those are the ones that come to mind initially. (Continue)

The people were for the most part friendly, but they like to exagerate a bit if they tell you for instance there's a bus, believe them -- just don't expect it at the time they tell you...that sort of things so know your directions there.

THe main street is large and people are everywhere its quiet ...except we wittnessed a dispute between an resturaunt owner and a customer...the customer yelled out a foul phrase re the man's business and the man slowly left repeating obsenities and then threw small pebbles at the owner and he threw some back and they yelled about how bad the other was.... a man in a business suit passed by and chuckled I guess there was a police crew but it faded fast...all very exciting to me!

It was a lovely experience. I would go!!!! again!!! (Continue)