An Expat Talks about What is Was Like Having a Baby in Sydney, Australia

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

Sydney

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

Oct 2006

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 a baby at The Mater Hospital in North Sydney. It was a wonderful experience but very different from having a baby in the US - which is where I am from. People in Australia take maternity/birth very seriously and want to make sure you have the best available resources available to you. I had a scheduled C-Section and was in the hospital for 7 days (2 extra days due to my son having jaundice). The Mater is a private hospital, which was nice and I think we got more attention being it was private. The only downfall I would say is that they are very pro breastfeeding, which is great, but if there are problems, you feel like a failure using formula.

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

My doctor came highly recommended from one of my husband's business contacts. My husband was in the medical equipment business for ob/gyns.

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

Nothing different!

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

To enjoy it and know you are in good hands!