Hi everyone,

I just wanted to write a quick post about the recent experience I have had with the hospital in Morges, Vaud. I am currently 7.5 months pregnant. I know that many of us who are, "pregnant in a foreign land" fret, worry, consider, research and freak-out to the nth degree about how we can possibly get through this in a different language and different country. This is my first baby and it's true that I haven't actually given birth yet...but I must say that in my opinion this would be a bizarre (albeit amazing) experience in any language and even at home. Anyhow, I've received loads of wonderful advice on how to deal, what to think, where to go, who to call...etc. etc. However, as I have searched the forum for specific information on birth preparation classes and what to expect, I've haven't turned up a lot. Especially information that refers to Vaud. Therefore, I thought I would say that:

My birth preparation course at the Morges Hospital has been absolutely phenomenal. The class cost 250chf, 100chf of which is reimbursed by your health insurance (assuming you only have the basic coverage like me). My husband has attended every course with me. The first 3 courses were with a Sage Femme (midwife) where we discussed the birth, breathing, pushing, merits of medication or not, pain management, etc. During the first class the Sage Femme took everyone to the maternity ward to check out the L/D room, recovery room and then the rooms where we will stay once everything is over. (btw, I'll do a post when it is over...but goodness me...the L/D rooms are SUPER nice, they even allow for a water birth which is practically unheard of in Suisse Romande) An entire class with the Sage Femme was dedicated to teaching your birth partner to massage, position and support your every need during the birth.

The next 2 courses were with a "nounou" who is the person who helps take care of the baby when he/she first enters the world. She let us know what to expect when the baby first arrives, etc. Additionally, she spoke and trained extensively about breastfeeding and what the heck to do once you take this tiny being home with you, i.e. swaddling, rocking, pacifiers, baby-wearing, crying, sleep problems, etc. It's basically, Baby 101...which was much appreciated.

Finally, the last 2 classes were with a Pediatrician and Chief of Gynecology/Obstetrics respectively. The pediatrician spoke about how to choose a great pediatrician for your 'planned' parenting style, things that might concern you about your baby -- but shouldn't, what happens during the worst-case scenario, etc. The OB/GYN discussed overall care of the body during the last months of pregnancy, what they are doing to reduce the number of c-sections, what YOU can do to reduce your chance of having a c-section and after care of your body (including birth control whilst nursing).

I am sure that, as always, there are those who had an entirely different experience than we did. However, in my opinion...this was a great course, filled with information. Everyone who spoke with us actively diffused the fear levels and treated us with respect. They stated the facts regarding epidurals, pain management and coaching. They went above and beyond to not attempt to sway any of us in one direction or the other. It never felt, "preachy" or annoying. For anyone looking for a birth preparation class in the Vaud region, I would really, really recommend Morges.

More information here:
http://www.ehc-vd.ch/jahia/Jahia/pid/312

As I said, once the baby arrives I will write a post on my birth experience at Morges.

Cheers,
Rebecca

hi, rebecca,
thx for the information.
is the course taught in english or german or french?
looking forward to your birth experience.

Ahh made me smile...

First of all, good luck and enjoy the experience!

For our part, we went to an ante-natal class run privately. We forked out around 200 CHF to attend a class where we were told that natural is best all would be OK, c-section will kill you or your baby and is much worse (don't remember the exact words, but it was something along those lines... ).

One exercise we had to go through was sorting words out into two piles: the natural vs. c-section pile. The natural one was all nice positives, the c-section all negatives...

Anyway, turns out that from our class of 5 couples, we all had c-sections

My request for a refund fell on deaf ears...

This course is taught in French. I know that can seem to be a daunting undertaking. It definitely was for me. I searched for a class in English before deciding. However, my husband (Swiss French) mentioned that we would be having the baby 'in French' too...so it was likely better to be prepared in French as well. The speakers were organized, prepared, patient and were quick to make sure that I understood what was happening around me. Also, keep in mind that as MOST women read every morsel of information that they can find about pregnancy and birth in their mother tongue, barely any of this is NEW information so the likelihood of understanding is far greater. There are props too! In the end, I am really happy that I followed hubby's guidance on this. I think that my level of freaking out in the delivery room over language issues has far diminished now that I have a bit more of the vocabulary and preparation in French.

Cheers,
Rebecca

hi Rebecca,

congratulation for your pregnancy. I've 2 little kids so a little bit ahead of you in the parenthood ......enjoying the baby cries and experiencing the lack of sleep....yet a lot of fun with them. you will join the club soon.

just wondering the part you learn about criteria of choosing a peditrician. I had no idea about it except being given a list before birth and to pick the one living closest to us. Would love to hear what you have learnt on this.

Best Regards

Hi Muffin,

I was happy that we discussed this as I've heard some horror stories from other mommies that their pediatrician wasn't a good match. Honestly, it wasn't a terribly long discussion but the main point was: Do not choose a pediatrician ONLY because they are close to you. The pediatrician who spoke to us discussed how frustrating it is for both him and the patient/parents when the philosophy of child rearing isn't shared. Example: if the parents are really into attachment parenting, baby-wearing, extended nursing, co-sleeping etc. and their pediatrician has fairly strict views about weaning at 6 months, "spoiling" a baby by holding it too much, "Cry it Out", etc. This is going to be a match made in hell. It isn't that either child rearing method is, "wrong" (psst...let's not open that can of worms here). However, if the parents are at their wits end because the baby has colic and the child rearing philosophies of the pediatrician and parents are different, from whom can you seek solid advice about steps to calm the baby and yourself? He stressed that a pediatrician is not just a diagnostician but a partner in the wild ride of parenting...so it's best to talk to a few doctors before the baby comes, receive a recommendation from a trusted friend who has similar parenting philosophies as you, etc. He was also quick to warn that this can be a relatively 'new' idea in Switzerland but if it is important to you and the doctor is unwilling to speak to you for a few minutes before you entrust your child's health with him, then it's likely not a good match from the get-go. Important and wise information. I am thankful for it. BTW, I have 2 appointments next week to "interview" some pediatricians. Neither office seemed to think it strange for me to want to do that.

Another thing, this link is to a really lovely parenting website that I use for a bunch of stuff. She wrote a lovely article about choosing a pediatrician here:
http://www.askmoxie.org/2006/05/qa_finding_a_pe.html

Best,
rebecca