I'm new in Basel, and was wondering which hospitals have a maternity ward, and if any of you have recommendations. I couldn't find any old posts for Basel.

I understand Basel Bethesda has one from a previous post. I live close to University hospital, so if they have a wing it would be convenient if it's nice. I'm open to private or public options.

Thanks!

I've been to Unispital, the midwives, nurses and doctors I encountered there were pretty fabulous, especially considering that what was going on was under very bad circumstances.

I've visited my sister-in-law when she gave birth to my nephew a couple years ago at Bruderholz, neither really set off fireworks of spectacular in my head though. ("Unfortunately" for them, my previous experience with recent maternity ward visits were to a hospital with a very special birthing unit, the rooms designed as much as possible to have "the comforts of home"... these were certainly not like that.)

Hopefully someone here with more experience with local hospitals can give some more information - maybe those with better-than-basic insurance can offer opinion as to potential differences of facilities.

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The Joys of Opticianry

Not been there myself, but I have always heard a lot of very good recommendations from people who has been at the Universität/Frauenspital.

The personnel is always helping and at many times they try to explain things in your mother language if possible to make you feel more comfortable.

Frauenspital (universität spital) is ok.

I've known quite a few people who had bad experiences there, me included, and I can't walk past the place without shuddering.

Thankfully, luck was on my side the day I gave birth and myself and my daughter ended up fine....no thanks to the dappy midwife who was looking after us. Thank goodness a doctor popped his head in at the right moment

The care throughout the pregnancy though was world class. They spoke English when I didn't understand them, carried out checks thoroughly and were happy to spend a little bit longer to let me see my bubs in the ultrasound scans.

Each experience is different though so take all advice with a pinch of salt and go with what feels best for you.

Good luck and congratulations!

Hi I gave birth in the Bethesda Hospital and found the staff very friendly and caring and enjoyed being in a smaller Hospital than the University one. I have also heard mixed reviews about the University Hospital and found the best way to decide is to go by in person and talk to the staff and have a 'feel' of each place. I had the same midwife through out my entire pregnancy (who spoke English) and she was with me during my entire labor too, she works together with the Bethesda Hospital and so this also influenced my decision as to where to give birth.
Hope this helps you a little ... warm regards Kristina

If you want a hospital birth, there are two in Basel: Basel Kantonspital *aka Frauenspital (universität spital)* and Bruderholzspital. There is on regional hospital: Liestal Kantonspital. There are two private hospitals: Bethesda Spital and Ita Wegmann Klinik.

Emergency facilities for Caesarean section and an anesthetist are available at all except the Ita Wegmann Klinik. Bruderholzpital and Basel Kantonspital are the only two that have neo-natal intensive care units.

I gave birth in Frauenspital (universität spital) and had a great experience. I had a great mid-wife and an excellent experience with anesthesia. I've also known folks that have given birth in Bethesda Spital and had an excellent delivery as well, but I choose the other due to my own choices.

My daughter was born in frauenspital last year. I thought it was great. Staff were wonderful, before and after the birth. They don't have gas and air though, something I was looking forward to! Literally all I got in 48 hrs of labor before I was ready for an epidural was paracetemol.
And it was also baking hot in the summer with no air con. And I don't particularly care for a/c but man oh man. I thought me and baby would cook.

Ha sorry I realize my reply doesn't seem like I thought it was great!! Just those 2 bad points were the only negatives for me.

Basel childrens trust has NCT style classes all in English. Google the name and ch and it will come up

There's actually a list of all the maternity units in Basel area on our website here -> http://www.baselchildrenstrust.ch/st...th-houses.html

There are a few birth houses around as well as hospitals if you are interested in that kind of birth - they all have very good reputations.

My personal experience is that I had my first baby in Liestal and second in Bruderholz and had a great experience both times. Very different experience but that was down to the birth itself and nothing to do with the hospital itself. In both there were English speaking staff available and I felt well cared for. I had a private room both times and personally I'd say it's worth paying for this if you have basic insurance (you can pay a supplement to the hospital for this if your insurance doesn't cover it).

Depending on your insurance you may not get a choice of where you go - if you only have the basic insurance and you live in Basel Stadt then you have to go to the Frauenspital, if you're in Basel Land then you go to Bruderholz (unless you're close to Liestal) - no choice. If you have some ad ons then you can choose. I don't know how it works with Bethesda, but it's a private hospital so no idea whether they accept people with only basic insurance at all - it wasn't an option for me anyway. In any case it's a good job I went to the hospital closest to me as my second child was born so quick I would not have made it had I gone further afield

All the hospitals run info evenings/sessions where you can go and look around - the Frauenspital runs them in English once a quarter (dates are on the BCT calendar too) I think you must have just missed one - the next one I know of is September 20th.