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Childbirth

Child birth in Greece

29 replies

Pempe · 08/01/2009 12:08

Has anyone given birth at a hospital in Greece? I am expecting my first baby in a few weeks time and am booked into a hospital in Athens. Everyone I speak to here is telling me that after the birth - even if it is completely natural and problem-free - you have to stay in the hospital for at least 4 days for them to 'keep an eye on you and the baby'.

Now, I know that they don't have midwives (or post-birth equivalents) here so there will be no home visits afterwards, but is it really necessary for me to stay in so long? Is it true that they keep you that long? Also, can you be with your baby as much as you want? I am worried that he will be taken away, put in a nursery and I will hardly see him.

As another issue, they are also very very keen on caesareans here, and would obviously need to stay in longer after a CS, but am trying to resist that if I can.

Anyone with experience in Greece, I would reeeallly appreciate your advice and help. Thanks

OP posts:

Report

ObsidianBlackbirdMcNight · 10/01/2009 12:58

No experience in Greece, sorry, but they can't just take your baby away. They can't actually make you stay in either if you don't want to. Make sure your partner is supportive and sticks up for you if they try to take the baby away - and as long as the hospital is clean and ok, 4 days is probably not so bad...lots of rest!

Hassled · 10/01/2009 13:07

Can't help but keep bumping - I know of at least one other MNer in Athens, and hopefully she'll spot this. If I could remember her name I'd contact her for you.

TheButterflyEffect · 10/01/2009 13:07

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Hassled · 10/01/2009 13:16

Have remembered the name and contacted her - hope she can help

fatzak · 10/01/2009 13:17

A good friend of mine lives in Greece and is expecting her second baby - will text her and point her in your direction!

Pempe · 10/01/2009 19:03

That's so so helpful, thanks everyone. Am off to Athens tomorrow for a gyno's appointment on Monday but will be checking MN - hopefully my doctor will be able to answer some questions (although he's a very busy man....the appointments aren't the most chatty/laid back!)

OP posts:

barbareebaa · 11/01/2009 23:03

Hi Pempe!
My sister lives in Greece (Patras) and had her 4 children there. None of them were caesarian, all really positive experiences I think (recently chatted about childbirth with her as have a 7 week old!!) Can't tell you details as have forgotten but will call her tomorrow and get back to you!
Barbsx

PollyLogos · 12/01/2009 06:59

hi Pempe, hope you see this soon. I am the mn in Athens that hassled remembered! I had 2 of my 3 children here (the other was in Kenya!).

I'm in a real rush now but would be very happy to talk to you.Where do you live? it sounds as if you are out of Athens?It might be best if you contact me through my e-mail and if you want we can then talk. Otherwise I'll come back to this thread tonight/tomorrow morning.

PollyLogos · 12/01/2009 07:06

ps my e mail is adele @ in dot gr

senem · 12/01/2009 18:09

the only negative thing I heard is that they insist to give ready made baby food due to all the agreements with food companies and not mothers milk. you have to insist to breast feed if you want to.

www.akadimia.gr/

here is an adress for you but they work with a very experienced mid wife. Contact Alexandross Tilkidis he is the manager of the school and he will help you out with natural birth. Tell Him Senem from Turkey recommended him to you
good luck

PollyLogos · 12/01/2009 18:53

Ok I think that you are in Lefkada, but I assume that you are planning on giving birth in Athens? There are plenty of Doctors here who do have midwives working with them. i think what you are refering to are post natal midwife visits at home. That, as far as I know doesn't exist as your baby will be seen by your chosen paediatrician.

i can recomend several Gynaes with midwives, including one I know with a british midwife. However if you are due soon I don't expect that you will want to change Dr now.I don't know which maternity hospital you will be in? Will you be in the state one - Elena or one of the private ones?

there is the laleche league if you need breast feeding support.www.llli.org/Greece.html

There are also these organisations
www.eutokia.gr/eutokia/

www.naturalbirth.gr/kalosirthate.html

www.gabi.gr/store/Adv/PresenceDoula.aspx

Hope that you find something useful on these sites!

nicf30 · 31/01/2009 20:20

hi im new to this group.im living near athens and im 20wks
i also have concerns as i want to breast feed as soon as the birth is over.
im also not keen on epidural,though as its my first time iv really no idea what to expect.
both the doctor my mother in law and a close friend who has recently given birth all assumed epidural would be my choice-it seems very popular here.
any ideas?

mummygirl · 16/02/2009 23:07

hi there,
I had my second baby in greece and had a much better experience than with the first one in the uk

I did stay in the hospital for 5 days but I loved it. I was cared for so well, midwives were checking on us all the time. They dod one-on-one sessions on breastfeeding if you request it.
The rooms were two-bed with own bathroom. I was very encouraged and helped to breastfeed (and successfully managed) but they discreetely left in the room, a sterilisd bottle, boiled water and formula milk and they didn't even mentioned it! I was impressed at the sensitivity.
There was a nursery there, but it was up to me whether I would keep the baby with me or give it to them for the night. If I gave it in they asked me if I wanted them to feed him or bring him to me -I decided depending on how my supply was going and how tired I was -they were always happy to advice me on this.
Those 5 days gave me the chance to recover from the birth and go home willing to look after both my children, something that I hadn't expereince the first time around in London, where being in the hospital was actually hard work!

By the way, I lived in Naoussa then and all that was in their local hospital, don't know if all that is general or local policies

HTH

Pempe · 18/02/2009 13:56

nicf30 - I'm now back from my stay in the hospital in Athens with my baby boy so if you need any info, just let me know

mummygirl - i agree with what you've said, the stay was actually very helpful for me and I left feeling more prepared for looking after a tiny baby than I imagine i would have done after a short stay in the UK.

OP posts:

mummygirl · 19/02/2009 19:37

Pempe,
I'm sorry my message was a bit late for you.
Congratulations on your baby boy, I hope you had a positive experience

x

nicf30 · 08/04/2009 21:01

pempe-congrats on your boy!!!how did you find the whole experience?
im now 30wks and getting exited-though not soo keen on the long stay in hospital.
really hoping for as natural a poss birth.
any info you have or anyone else id love to hear from you.

Pempe · 13/04/2009 16:30

sorry nicf30 I've only just seen your message. Hope you're ok and getting as much relaxing done as possible

If you give me your email address I'll try to put a few things I remember about the stay in an email for you (it feels like a million years ago now!) ....if my baby boy lets me have 10 mins to myself.....

OP posts:

Claire2009 · 13/04/2009 16:33

I had both my babies in France.

Natural Birth : 4 days in Hospital (but you can discharge yourself & baby if you are both well)

CS : 6-7 days in hospital, I stayed 7 dayd for my 1st cs and 4 days for my 2nd. DS was well and passed the paed check & I was ok. I was advised not to go but with a 14mo at home I wanted to be out of there and getting into my routine with my babies.

With regards to baby being taken away, no ; they ask you the 1st night if you want baby to go into nursery so you can rest. I said no, however dd went into the nursery at 4 days old for 5-6 hrs to give me a break and some much much needed sleep.

Claire2009 · 13/04/2009 16:35

Nicf30, I'm sure Greece is the same as France more or less with hospital care.

You have to 'order' the gas/air if thats what you want for labour, rather than the epi. Its not available during labour like it is in the UK, of course I didnt know this until after I had both of my babies!

I had 2 epi's and was asked did i want it each time from 3cms dilation (in labour) and no real pain as such, I refused epi but took it at 6cms and in a LOT of pain...

Best wishes

MichaelaK · 21/04/2009 14:17

Hellooo Ladies!!!

Just found that forum and this topic... NICE!

I'm Austrian - live now in Athens, 35weeks pregnant. My first Baby will be a boy!

Giving birth here is different then in Austria - which makes me quite sad...
I have the feeling, that a birth in Austria is a bigger, better experience then here.

The clinic i should give birth (private) seems very nice - but just now i found out about the Natrual-Birth-Center... which i love. It's exactly, what I would like to have.
Have to find out more about it now...

(sorry for my english)

nicf30 · 25/04/2009 19:29

hi ladies and babys
its been few wks since i wrote. im now 33wks preg-the time has flown.
pempe- im still keeping busy but allowing myself relaxing evenings.
how is your wee boy doing???
my e mail is [email protected]
great to hear about all your experiences-im going also to a large private hospital where so far on my visits has been very friendly and helpful-i have the doctor on monday evening and will be asking some more questions!!!...

MichaelaK · 03/05/2009 20:22

@nicf30: you got answers to all your questions? You feel comfortable now?

I was able to visit the delivery rooms in "my" clinic... which helped me a lot. It's good to know, whats going to happen ;)

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nicf30 · 05/05/2009 14:07

michaelak-so your happy with your clinic then?-you are getting very close now-are you all prepared?
i agree knowing what will happen helps-im going to stay home for as long an i possibly can to avoid interventions.
i never asked as much as i planned we got a bit distracted with seeing her on the ultrasound!

MichaelaK · 07/05/2009 09:31

Yes... i feel quite good in my clinic. It's a small private one.

The thinking about NATRUAL BIRTH is totally different than in my homecountry.
There you try to avoid as long as possible to give birth in the bed. Here you have no other choices. It's already "natrual" here when you don't have a cesarean...

Anyway... it will be ok. But I also try to avoid as long as possible to go to the clinic.

Slowly, slowly I'm getting ready. Hope the last 4 weeks pass by soon. Want to see my babyboy!!!

BonsoirAnna · 07/05/2009 09:32

No experience, but I stayed in for four days on the NHS - it is great to be able to stay in until your milk comes in.

Flip

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