After reading some posts from today I thought maybe it would be time for me to ask a question myself.

Hmmm reading all of these posts about pain relief and the birth is making me really nervous!

My due date is the end of April, as the months are passing and the date is drawing closer I am starting to freak out a little.

I am pregnant with my first child, until now I have avoided all talk and chat of the birth. I am a little scared to be honest!

I plan to give birth in the Salem-Spital in Bern. My Gynie/OB hasn’t chatted to much about the actual birth as yet. I have another appointment next week and plan to tackle the subject. I also am interested to know if anyone out there has given birth is Salem-Spital and had been given pain relief, the real thing not homeopathic meds!

Hi, I can so understand you feeling nervous. I remember how I felt before giving birth to my first, in a foreign country, without my mother or family nearby. How is your German? it is so important that you get the most of your next visit to the obstetrician - get your questions ready. If your German is hesitant, and you are not sure if the Obstet. speaks English - try to find somebody who can interpret for you. A friend/neighbour, etc - or perhaps ask here if somebody can help. How about trying to find pre-natal classes, so you can ask all your questions in an informal setting. Tell us how you get on. Thinking of you.

Thanks for the supportive response.

I am fluent in German and my GYN/OB speaks perfect English. I do plan to tackle all the questions next week.
I am partly to blame I think as I have been avoiding the birth subject and have literally been focusing on my scans and pregnancy more than the birth.
I start my antenatal classes in 3 weeks time and am attending classes with an English speaking midwife. So I plan to make full use of that and ask all the questions and express all my fears.

I will keep you updated, thanks again

Pheew- I am so happy to hear language won't be a problem and you have got ante-natal classes organised, etc. Feeling nervous about a first (any imho- maybe it gets better after 4, 5, 6 - I never got that far!) - is pretty normal. Do keep in touch- and air your concerns here any time. I hope somebody will come forward who had experience of the Hospital in Bern, and can relate back to you.

Dear Delli,
I am also planning to give birth in Salem Spital in Bern, mid September (hopefully!). Didn't find any reviews on the place apart from this thread. Wish you a good delivery (if hasn't happened yet) and please if you have a minute to share, how it all went, that would be really great.
Best of luck

Well I am not having a baby (I am male and 62), but it is a great hospital.
I'm here for a week now after a foot operation and everybody is very nice and most speak English.