An Expat Talks about What is Was Like Having a Baby in Johannesburg, South Africa

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

Johannesburg

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

1year 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...

My first baby was born at home in the Netherlands without painkillers and without any complications.

Because of this experience I was very much in favour of a natural birth without medical intevention if possible. Since it is custom to have a hospitial delivery with a gynacologist I initially also choose that route. However after a pre hospital delivery tour I got so shocked of the staggering 90 % cs rates that a ran away from the gynacologist and found a fanatsic midwife.

My son was born with a water birth at 10 o'clock waterbirth in the morning and I checked myself the same day out of the hospital. The midwife was fabulous but I was not too impressed with the hospital service.

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

My gynacologist was recommended via a relative, but my sister in-law told me about the midwives.

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 never go to a gynacologist unless medically necessary. Because of the staggering cs rates I mistrust their judgement.

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

If you want to have a natural birth(medically possible) go to midwifes. If you want to have a cs go to gynacologist the are specialist at that.