Has anyone given birth in Spain?

[bebespain]

I have recently moved to Spain and am due to have my 1st baby in December. Although I speak the language well I am becoming more anxious about having my baby here. Everything I have read seems to indicate quite an old-fashioned system? Just wondered if anyone could set my mind at rest, if only a little?!!!

[Beetroot]

senoraapostrophe gave birth very recently in Spain

[lucy5]

Hola, I'm about to give birth in Spain for the first time here in Spain, also in December. Maybe you would like to compare notes. Where are you? I have one dd who was born in England nearly 6 years ago. To be honest I think most of what you have read it right.

[bebespain]

Hola Lucy5!
I'm living in Ronda which is in Malaga province. I've just been to my first antenatal class today and must admit I've come back feeling mortified! Between the seemingly automatic use of epidurals and episiotimies I must admit I feel close to tears.I'm now at the point where I'm seriously thinking of going back to the U.K to give birth but the practicalities of that are very difficult. If you like I'll give you my e-mail address, just let me now. I'd really like to hear how things are going for you!

[lucy5]

Hi, i am in Estepona which is also in Malaga but on the coast. I haven't had my classes yet. I might have to have a c-section and to be honest and i never thought I would say it, I think I may prefer it! If you want to email me its lucy hardwicke 5 at hotmail dot com, obviously no spaces.

[bebespain]

Just as soon as I come out of panic mode from this morning's class I'll send you an e-mail. Hope that's OK?!!

[lucy5]

No probs, whenever you want to.

[costababe]

I gave birth to ds2 in the tarragona region in 2002, I have to say I was really pleased with the care I was given, I had a drug free birth and the staff were very supportive of my decison whilst being slightly amused by the idea!!
I have to say that after the birth I spent 3 nights in the hospital and noticed that the main caring for the new mums and babies was provided by family members, unfortunately my dp had to be with ds1 for school toing and froing and could only visit in the evenings, but it was no major problem. I wish u happy pregnancies and great birhs.

[costababe]

Yes I did, I have to say it was needed, I had to have one on ds1, unfortunately no warning was given, but to be truthful I think this freaked dp out more than me!!!

[zachanhar]

having read a lot of threads about giving birth in the UK i am REALLY GLAD i gave birth in spain!! i can imagine nothing worse than being refused an epidural during a tough labour as i hear happens all the time in the UK. Anyway, i gave birth in a hospital in Madrid, staff were wonderful; attentive and kind even though my spanish is terrible. i had an epidural and an episiotomy (if i hadnt i would have torn much worse than i did). I have a lot of friends that gave birth here and most are satisfied with their experience. yes, they had epidurals and all the rest, BUT i havent heard any horror stories of the like you hear from the NHS. I would be perfectly happy to give birth here again.

[ImpyChica]

I gave birth by c-section to ds in July, in Madrid. It was an induced birth and probably shouldn't have been - he was only a week late but then it was really hot. The staff were adorable and attentive but there was a sense of being rushed into things and they are quite invasive here. But they were constantly monitoring me all the way up to the birth and I felt in very safe hands - even if I didn't have the natural birth I would have liked.

(Hi Zachanhar - where abouts do you live? I live in the La Latina area of Madrid.)