An Expat Talks about What is Was Like Having a Baby in London, UK

What is the name of the city or town that you are reporting on?

London

How recently did you give birth in the country that you are reporting on?

2.5 yrs ago

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...

Fantastic!!!!

-Hospital
-Induced (baby 11 days late)
-26 hours of labour then emergency caesarian
-tens machine
-water
-pethadin
-gas and air
-epidurals (4)
-Stayed three days, wanted me to stay 2 weeks
-'prescribed' Guiness for anemia
-Stitches removed at home
-baby umbilical cord clamp done at home
-home visits every day for two weeks
-home visits every week for months
-monthly checks at home or clinic until -child is 5 yrs old
-Excellent and free antenantal birthing and postnatal parenting classes and exercise courses
-all in the team who cared for me and the baby were open to any sort of birth plan provided all went ok.

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How did you choose your doctor, midwife or other type of medical professional?

My GP was my doctor - his nurse was my midwife - his wife was my consultant doctor - her nurse was my delivery midwife.

If you were to have another child in this country, would you do anything differently in terms of preparation and/or the delivery?

No

If a friend of yours living in the same country were expecting, what advice would you give her?

Go with the flow and relax. Communicate and discuss.
So many people will look after you with that one midwife you don't get on with should not colour your vision of the whole team and experience or country.
I am gutted our next child will not be born there.