An Expat Talks about What is Was Like Having a Baby in Bulach, Switzerland

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

Bulach

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

4 years 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...

I had only the lowest public insurance which determined a lot.

I had a c-section (kaisserschnitt) and was only given paracetamol (ibuprofen). I had no idea, except that it wasn't helping.

Some of the staff didn't seem to like me as a foreigner. My language skills were low, but functioning.

I had difficulties with my blood sugar and my blood pressure and had great difficulty getting the doctor to take things seriously.

I was labelled a "nervous foreigner" instead of being taken seriously (I'm normally a very smart, calm professor). I could have died from the poor treatment I received.

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

We chose the closest public hospital, took a tour, and made an appointment with the only female doctor.

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 find a better doctor -- one that spoke better English and respected my intelligence.

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

Arrange everything first; including discussing an emergency c-section and using epidural. Change doctors if you have ANY doubts. Go home if it's not going well.