quote:

Originally posted by erin:
I'm pregnant and about to start my third trimester. My husband and I are moving to Padova in 3 days with our 1 1/2 year old boy. I tried to investigate hospitals and doctors (I would actually prefer a midwife) in the area before the move but no luck. Is anybody living there or know the area well enough to suggest a hospital/doctor?
I'm pretty hippie in my childbirth views and the picture I'm getting of Italian birthing is a little scary. I'm considering sneaking up to Switzerland to have this kid. Did I mention that my Italian is horrible?

Hi Erin, I live in Padova and I gave birth there twice in the last four years, so I know it quite well. They are a little medival compared to British standards, but it depends who you get on duty. I know that sounds ridiculous but that is the case you cannot book people! For example with my first the b*****d doctor broke my waters and I had to give birth in stirups. With the second everyone was all more relaxed coz it was my second and I hadent had any complications in my first and I gave birth on my bed (!) with a lovely midwife. Here there are no birthing pools or blow up balls in sight! There are no pools in padova you would need to go out of the province. My doctor was stressed with my first and more relaxed with the second, she has nothing to do with the birth though...I dont know if I really recommend her, although she got more friendly and smiley the more I got to know her. At first she was a bit moody! The obstetrician was lovely though so I would recommend her..but they come together as they are at the same centre. Also not in centre of town, as I do not live in the centre. If you want to email me for any particulars I would be happy to help with any info I can. My email is alexveritym@yahoo.it

[QUOTE] The main thing is if you are still a uk resident you can do this, but if I had gone to the Uk i would have had to pay for most of the stuff including plain check ups as I am a resident here and have not lived in the uk for five years...


Hi Verity,
I am no longer a resident in the uk (for a few months now) but I still pay NI contributions as I work for a u.k based company.Does this mean I would have to pay for everything? I am still registered at my gp in London. Do I have to tell them I moved as I still keep the house there and stay there whenever we are in town.

If anyone else can also share their experience I would be grateful.

Re: Water birth, other progressive practices

Hello - I posted a while back, as I plan to be in Rome for the birth of my first child in August. While looking for English-speaking doctors and doulas in Rome, I came across the website of a progressive-seeming private OB doctor who speaks fluent English:

http://www.doctornaumann.info/

His website includes info on water birthing and birthing chairs. He works mostly with Mater Dei and Salvator Mundi Clinic but also at a semiprivate clinic, the Clinica Annunziatella.

Hope this is useful!

I'll second Naumann - he is my wife's gynaecologist. It costs plenty, but if you have insurance/coverage (or hugely rich!) I would recommend him without hestitation.

Hi Ayan,
Dont worry not only do you pay ni contributions but you are also still registered with your gp so you will have no problem. My problem was that I had a gp but my parents moved area so they registered with new gp and I was here and didnt so when I went over there in the summer when I was pregnant and needed a check up and scan I had to pay for the check up (34 pounds) and go privately for the scan (£150!!!!). I was upset about it as am not loaded, but as I dont pay tax anymore there then I suppose its fair! Although I know plenty of people who live here and then get stuff done there for free and they DONT pay tax!! They re obviously a lot more 'furbe' than me!

quote:

Originally posted by Verity:
Hi Ayan,
Dont worry not only do you pay ni contributions but you are also still registered with your gp so you will have no problem. My problem was that I had a gp but my parents moved area so they registered with new gp and I was here and didnt so when I went over there in the summer when I was pregnant and needed a check up and scan I had to pay for the check up (34 pounds) and go privately for the scan (£150!!!!). I was upset about it as am not loaded, but as I dont pay tax anymore there then I suppose its fair! Although I know plenty of people who live here and then get stuff done there for free and they DONT pay tax!! They re obviously a lot more 'furbe' than me!

Thanks for all your help, I will try to have baby in london as I feel it would be best for my own peace of mind.
cheers

Hi worried moms-to-be. Just a quick note to let you know I am an American and I have had two babies here in Rome in the last 3 years (and would love to have a third). I was nervous with my first but didn't want to return to the States for the birth since I wanted to work up to the last day and "save up" my maternity leave. I am VERY happy that I gave birth in Italy. You have to look around but you CAN find what you are looking for. I wanted water births and I gave birth to both of my sons at Annunziatella clinic where they do have that possibility. Both of my births were extremely quick and I never even had time to enter the water (maybe next time?) My clinic also had a Rooming-in option, which I used happily, but the nurses were very sweet and kept reminding me that if I needed more rest they could take the baby for a while. They were very supportive with nursing, even when my youngest was under the lights for jaundice they allowed me to come down for nursing breaks (incidentally, in America moms of babies with jaundice are kicked out of the hospital because it is an added cost). Yes, it is true that there are more blood tests but we caught some minor complications that way and I had scans at EVERY monthly visit. In America, you get two scans during a pregnancy. Was it necessary? No, probably not, but I was happy for the reassurance each month.Yes, there is more of an emphasis on weight gain but I don't consider that so terrible, but if you feel that is important include the issue as a question for potential doctors. My doctor was a big proponent of home birth. Personally, I was never interested (if there were a complication, I would have no confidence in an ambulance getting quickly to my house through Roman traffic) but I do know plenty of people who have had home births in Rome and have been pleased. My advice is to at least consider birth in Italy BUT carefully research and have an information session with potential doctors/ see hospitals or clinics to ensure that you can have what is most important to you. And all new mothers, keep in mind that as carefully as you devise your birth plans, they will never turn out exactly as you plan! Regardless, the resulting baby is always wonderful. Best of luck to you all!

Thanks Kimberly for your reassuring post! I'm a big worry wort and this really calmed me down.

OK so is Annunziatella private or public? It sounds great but I can't really afford private. Also - would you be willing to share the name of your doctor? (and is he public?)

Thanks Kimberly! I have the same questions as rtpm.

Also I will be in Rome April 9-15 to visit (we come out for good in early July) and I would love to have coffee or a glass of wine with either/both of you (or any other folks who want to talk about pregnancy/giving birth in Rome). About me - I am American, 29, married, and hoping to start trying to get pregnant next month. Am nervous about not working for the first time in my life (have related to your earlier posts, rtpm) but also very excited for a life in Italy!

Of course Kimberely when I talk about my experience it is personal to Padova Hospital and the general ways of doing things here. There are probably loads of other cities in Italy particularly the bigger ones where the approach to childbirth is more relaxed and there is more on offer. My first birth in an Italian hospital went ok but the doctor I got lumped with was horrible to me, so I had a bad experience. I was very worried about my second birth, but I was lucky to get a lovely midwife who was brilliant. I dont want to scare anyone and I m sure 'tutto il mondo è un paese' in the sense that wherever in the world you give birth there will be nice doctors/nurses/midwifes and not so nice ones.

YAEL - I can't believe you yelled and the doc and he still made you go into stirrups! That would be such a nightmare for me! It doesn't make sense either cuz it just makes laboring more difficult!

Hopefully, I will be able to find a good clinic which is atleast a bit more advanced. I'll be living in Rome and that Anunziatella clinic sounds like a good one to me. What part of Rome is that in, by the way? And is it one of the more expensive private clinics? We already have private insurance, but not sure with who. I feel much better knowing we are also covered privately just because that way, if there is some sort of surgery or situation, you can always choose to go private if the wait time is too long at the public. I also have a cousin(my husbands) who is going to be a Labor and Delivery nurse over at Fate bene Fratelli. Her father is a general doctor as well, but he is one of the best around Rome. Hopefully this will help get me on the inside of how things work!

Hello mommies and future mommies,
Just to answer some of the questions. Annunziatella is a semi-private clinic in central-southern Rome (off of the Appia Antica). This works well for me because we live near the Colosseum but you probably want to consider places close to where you will be living. Fate Bene Fratelli is central Rome-Trastevere, Salvador Mundi is near the Vatican and Sagra Famiglia is a clinic I have also heard good things about which is in the Parioli area (northern Rome). I am sure there are many more that I am missing. Personally, having had very fast births I wouldn't feel comfortable giving birth across town (think Roman traffic in rush hour), so my suggestion would be to start gathering information about hospitals and clinics in your area which match your birth philosophy.rtpm and NewtoRome: My doctor was very good but private and extremely expensive but you can keep costs lower (mostly by going through the hospital or clinic to get your doctor), again just spend a bit more time researching and meeting with potential doctors.NewToRome: Sorry I will miss you on your visit to Rome (I will be back on holiday in the States that week) but let me know once you have moved here in July and I will be happy to help out (if I can) with additional information.

What does semi-private mean? Does that mean that they only take you if you have insurance/lots of money? Or can you be treated as a public patient? Also if you are public do you get access to the same doctors and treatments?