Hi there,
I'm at the very early stages of my second pregnancy and am already thinking about the birth... Our first was born in Australia and it was totally idealic really (as far as births go!). Therefore after reading some of the threads (thanks to all those who shared their stories!) and doing some other research, I'm now starting to quiver in my boots at the thought of being strapped to a bed with stirrups (that may be an exaggeration, but you know what I mean!). After recounting their stories my friends felt that they were treated like 'cows' by our local hospital....
Nascita Dolce in Siena looks great, but unfortunately just a bit too far. Does any one know of any other 'alternative' type places in the north? I've also looked into the Nascere in Casa which looks promising too... Has any one had a home birth in Italy? Any help would be greatly appreciated! Sandi

A woman in my prenatal yoga class visited some amazing hospital in Friuli when she was visiting her husband's family up there and said it was amazing - at least compared to Rome hospitals. Private rooms, ensuite bathrooms, birthing chairs, showers etc. She was thinking of travelling up there for the birth. I'll have to ask her the name next time I see her.

You should check out Ambra Celeste in Torino's blog (I think she's on the blog list on this site - if not google her). She had a homebirth recently and it sounded great. Here in Rome there are quite a few midwives who will do a homebirth. I'm sure you can find someone up there in Friuli.

Thanks heaps for the reply. Definitely ask your friend when you get the chance, it sounds fantastic, and maybe just on my doorstep?! I haven't heard of anything like that around here, so I can't wait to get the name.
I'll google Ambra and see what she has to say about home births. Grazie mille again Sandi

Was it Santa Maria della Misericordia? They have the best premmie ward in the region. One of our squadron dependents was rushed there in an ambulance from Pordenone to deliver her premature baby. It was cool seeing all the tiny babies- some had arms no thicker than my finger.

Is that the Udine public hospital?? Thanks

Santa Maria della Misericordia is not too far from the autostrada. It's very big.

Dear Sandi,
The United Nations awarded eco-community of Damanhur, about 35 minutes north of Torino has a midwifery association and a center in that area. They are planning an international conference on birth for 2009, in which some of the most important advocates of holistic birth in the world will be attending. You could call the welcome office of Damanhur and find out if the birth center is available for the outside community. http://www.damanhur.org/. I'm including a "blurb" below about a seminar they offered on the placenta recently. Best wishes for a great pregnancy and birth!
Ciao,
Betsy

PerLaDonna, the local midwifery association gave a seminar entitled, 'The Placenta - A Natural Health Treasure.' The method of Lotus Natural Childbirth gives great importance to the role of the placenta in forming the subtle and astral bodies in additional to the physical body. The PerLaDonna association reccommends waiting a maximum of forty-eight hours before cutting the umbilical cord as compared to the Lotus method that suggests waiting from three to ten days. Michela Zucca, a Swiss anthropolgist and researcher, said she was honored to participate in the seminar because, in her opinion, the birth of PerLaDonna is the most significant addition to the history of the feminine in Europe in the past ten years. Michela said it seemed logical to her that the PerLaDonna initiative began, in part, with Damanhurian founders and that Damanhur has become a reference point for natural birthing.