An Expat Talks about What is Was Like Having a Baby in Sliema, Malta

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

Sliema

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

2003 and 2005

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...

We had our two first children at St. James Hospital in Sliema. This is a private hospital and the rooms are more like hotel rooms then hospital rooms.

We had caesarian sections because the first child was in breach position and the second came too soon after the first so the scarring had not fully healed. We chose to have an epidural since we were having the C-sections and this allowed mother to stay awake during the entire process. Due to the C-Section, mother stayed in hospital for a few days after the birth. As I said before the hospital was really more like a hotel so the stay was not uncomfortable and the staff was great, helping her with the nursing and other first time parents transitional stuff. The staff was great and the doctors were amazing.

The government hospital (St. Luke's) is also professionally staffed and well maintained although less comfortable then the private hospitals.

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

Our doctor came highly recommended by our friends and neighbors. We had arrived in Malta already 7 months pregnant with our first child so we needed to choose a doctor quickly. Thankfully our new neighbors and friends were all quick to suggest recommendations and most of the doctors in Malta are very well education and professional. Malta being a former British territory and still part of the commonwealth, most of the doctors are trained in the UK.

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

Of course we could have better planned to arrive in Malta much earlier to give us more time to prepare for the first birth but even with this short period everything went great. The staff and doctors were all very professional the people in Malta in general are all very friendly and helpful, especially to expectant mothers. Mothers are very well respected in Maltese culture.

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

There are many hospitals in Malta. Choose the one that best fits your needs. Proximity to your home should be considered but also the comfort and professionalism of the staff. Your doctor will most likely be able to go to any hospital but again it helps if the hospital is also close the doctor so they don't have an hour drive in traffic to get there when you need them.