Hi Carol,

I think CHUV is a public hospital..so might be your insurance doesn't cover private hospital????

I delivered my baby in private hospital but could give you further info as point of reference...

- I have virginal birth but using epidural anesthesia. Here, gyn always recommends virginal birth so if cesarea is really needed, it's either a) gyn will advise you in advance during your pregnancy and that the hospital could arrange in advance; b)during your delivery ....but the hospital normally have the facilities there.

- As for epidural, it is done by specialist and there should always one on duty in the hospital. (I'm not sure if I understand your mail on this as epidural has no conflict with virginal birth, I found it very good actually...)

-regarding the 'emergency", i have no experience on that (thanks God) but according to the mid-wife during my childbirth class, there is a standard here that certain issues have to be centralised in certain public hospital .

Actually, another things you might need to note according to my experience - you need to look for a peditrician as early as possible (esp. if you want an english speaking one and to be close to where you live). I did the search 3 months before delivery and was told my preferred one is completely full....