We've been living deep in the French countryside for 5 years, aren't entirely happy and want to move back to the UK where all of our friends and family are, but are unable to do so for the moment. I'm pregnant which is great, but the French maternity services seem so archaic! No birthing pools or birthing balls, no gas or air, episiotomies are standard especially for first time mums, as are epidurals, and you give birth in a gynaecological chair with your feet in stirrups - as a friend of mine said 'In France, birth is about the comfort of the doctor not the mother' . Very clinical with little comfort offered. I'm not saying I won't want an epidural but it would be nice for the choice to be discussed instead of 'this is what we do'! I honestly don't know what to do - I have private health cover and technically can give birth anywhere (private wards or hospitals don't really exist in France), eg The Portland, but that would mean moving back to the UK I imagine for around 2 months, one month before and a few weeks after, leaving all home comforts and our lovely dogs behind. Neither option sounds good tbh. I'm even considering having a cs so I can birth abroad but plan it a little. AND I'm v worried what DH's mother will say when she hears that we've come to the UK to birth at the Portland! She doesn't hold back at the best of times. Does anyone have any advice? Very worried.
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Childbirth
Live in France and don't want to give birth here!
KatieTrancoso · 09/11/2012 14:44
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