I'm going to move to switzerland soon. (NOrth of Zurich--Bassersdorf). I'd like to give birth at the "hirshlander (spelling unknown)" hospital. Does anyone have some good personal experience with a doctor that they can recommend? The doctor must speak good english, be friendly and take a holistic approach to pregnancy. Also, I'd like someone who doesn't rush into c-sections.

Also...are epidurals available in Switzerland? Also, I'm hoping husbands are allowed into the birthing room....

Thanks for your help

It seems to me that this question is almost identical to the one discussed here:

http://www.englishforum.ch/help-tips...hlight=midwife

Please ensure that your question has not already been asked and discussed before asking exactly the same question. Thanks for your understanding. That thread was only 10 messages down from the top in the same area of this post.

I don't want a midwife.

doglover, the midwife is the one who'll do the birth.

What's your insurance coverage like - you need half-private or more I'd say for Hirslanden (which is actually I believe most famed for its heart surgery). Given that you're moving to Switzerland soon, I would double-check what your insurance will cover regarding birth.

You will be allowed at the birth, that's for sure.

And you have an OB-GYN now? That would be your first step....

I have recently heard some great things about Hirslanden, also from english speaking expats (responses to my question re midwives). They tell me 33% of births are c-sections, quite a few of them elective, but they do not pressure people to go down that path. As Lob said, first step is getting a good OB-GYN with whom you feel comfortable, and with whom you have as little a language barrier as possible. Perhaps contacting Hirslanden would be a good idea? Good luck and please share your experiences, I'm sure it helps others (including my pregnant english speaking colleague!).

Let me alay some fears.

c-sections are generally done for two reasons here:
1. The mother insists on one from the outset
2. Emergency needing one.

As far as giving birth is concerned you want to be somewhere where they do this all the time and not in a surgical speciality place like the Hirslanden, which is also the other side of Zürich from Bassersdorf. You might find Bülach to be a better bet and this is just a few minutes down the motorway and very good. All of these places allow expectant families to visit to have a look around.

Epidurals I am afraid tend to be a bit like c-sections - not easy to come by... Similarly doctors who will only appear when the going gets rough.

As for English you are likely to be a bit out of luck in that although most doctors do speak English it is not their primary concern and they do tend to be private. Private equates to expense here.

You also need to be very sure of your insurance before attempting to give birth here. Although I think this is overplayed it is very unlikely you are going to get a private insurance which by the way you will need for Hirslanden or ca SFr. 25K.

Husbands however are very simple - allowed all the time except in the case of surgery. In fact they are encouraged...

Anyway before you start getting picky about where to give birth I would suggest waiting to see where your insurance cover will allow... and then let us all know and we might be able to tell you where the best is. At the moment without knowing any more I would say Bülach for you.

There are a couple of inacuracies in your post Richard, I've given birth twice here so can speak from my experiences...

C-sections can be very easy to come by here, my friend who is currently pregnant has been asked if she would like one! Her insurance is only basic & not private. I've had two of them both were elective on medical grounds and not emergencies.

I have yet to find a Dr who has not been happy to deal with me in English I've had both private and basic insurance cover and this has never been an issue but maybe I've just been lucky.

My husband was with me during both my sections. They are only not allowed in the theatre if the women is having a general for her surgery.

One thing you are spot on about is the insurance, you cannot get private cover once you are already pregnant. Doglover really needs to get this sorted before making any plans.

Hi Lou,

You were quite right I was not explicit enough... With regard to c-sections they are not routine as in some countries and are only "offered" in advance if the mother enquires or the doctor believes there might be physical issues. With respect to the husband and surgery this varies from hospital to hospital...

Richard

Hi
Even in CH, most doctors and gynae's are English speaking, esp in Zurich areas.

Midwives can be very different, and depending on the exact time you go into labour (you cannot choose), you will have to depend on the schedules of those midwives in the hospital or clinic.

Midwives are the ones who help deliver the baby (helps mother and father during labour), the doctor / gynae comes in like last minute (last 20 mins) to observe the birth and perhaps react if there is a problem.

BTW, I am talking about natural births and not elected c-section.

http://www.hebamme.ch/

HAT

The 3rd reason is doctors don't like to deliver outside normal hours and weekends...

I think things may be a bit different outside of the Zurich area. In Bern, the supposedly bilingual city of all places, most medical staff I encounter would very much prefer not to speak English, and even high German some do not really want to speak, as they feel it is my job to adapt, and speak Swiss German.

So if you are desperate for an English speaking team (midwife AND doctor) you might have to do some serious research.

Second, don't forget that it is all very well for a non-native speaker to speak English in the comfort of initial check-ups, but as soon as any part of the delivery gets stressful, they WILL revert back to their mother tongue, as we are just programmed to do so.

So to perhaps be more relaxed yourself, I would say it may be useful to brush up on high German at least, so you will understand a midwife if she is issuing commands in those last exhausting hours.

I am not kidding, it is good to learn a few basic terms relevant to birthing protocol. I have been in a hospital bed seriously ill in isolated Africa and it took me two days to understand what was wrong with me because French medical terms are not generally learnt at school. If anything, knowing you will understand them if need be might make you more confident going into the experience.

Appalling! So why do they become OB/GYN's in the first place?

That's not always true. The doctor I used for the birth of my first son scheduled my c-section for a Saturday. Both times my Dr came to visit me every day in hospital including Sundays.

We had twins born in Klinik Belair in SHaffhaussen over three years ago. Fantastic care, since then we had a child born in the UK, which was ok ie they did their best. Make sure that you are covered by insurance. My partner speaks no German and everything was done in English. http://www.hirslanden-baby.ch/en

Dr Rajcic was great

Dr. med. Davorin Rajcic
Medical specialist for gynaecology and obstetrics
h-care partner doctor
Clinic
Klinik Belair, Schaffhausen

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