or is the American version of One Born Every Minute

[SmegmaNotJustForChristmas]

a bit rubbish compared to the British version?

They're all either on an epidural or about to have a c-section. Nothing wrong with either (I mean that) but it really doesn't make good for telly

Where is the screaming, the swearing? And why blur the good bits? I can't imagine any 14 year old boy (no matter how sad) getting off to a woman giving birth so why fuzz that out but allow simulated sex scenes in most tv?

Why dont they have G&A?

I don't know, we just don't. I've never heard of it being used for any purpose but at the dentists.

I loved the g&a

OMG! I cannot imagine giving birth without it! Eeek!

I told my dentist that they use it for labour in the UK and he was quite surprised, I was feeling a bit chatty, mostly because I was under the influence of it at the time :)

I said national health not NHS. The UK isn't the only country with national health care. Medicaid is our health care paid for by the govt. Then I even explained that I was not comparing it to the NHS.

Anyway.

my point was that it was the care you get while uninsured, so I can't comment on what fancy things insured people get

smegma I also live in the US.

Fancy things?

sorry, but you are still confused about the care you received.

Medicaid is not government healthcare either, they (the government) paid for you to receive thesame healthcare available to those who either pay for it themselves outright or though a co-pay. They did this because your income falls in the bracket they help.

Not all uninsured/poor will qualify.

I see what you think it is ...but it is a long way off being anything like national healthcare. :)

My American friend looked very confused when we were discussing DD's birth. "Does labour really give you wind?" Not that sort of gas!

as a brit i was very shocked by the u.s version.i didnt want to lay still and the thought of not pacing and growling somehow isnt having a baby!!!!!!why arent you encouraged to be mobile when over here its standard behaviour as gravity helps.plus why lay flat on your back to deliver.doesnt look comfy or helpful to push out sproggy.please try and enlighten this confused english person as to why you want be drugged and chatting like you at the hairdressers!

What kind of care do you get in the community after delivering the baby? does someone visit you at home in the first few weeks?

No, no one comes. And they should, because not long ago a mother died of come sort of hemorrhage and by the time they found out her wee little baby had starved to death. :( :( I was so upset by that.

Liveinazoo it depends, I was encouraged to walk around, etc.

Some sort of hemorrhage.

thats awful.you dont reallly think about the care mums recieve inother places,in developed countries i just assumed it was all similar.i as so grateful i live in the uk and had such wonderful care for all of my deliveries

Goodness me, Ive never heard of that. I thought that with all the insurance you pay there would be some sort of community care in place. We are very lucky. So, if you were worried about anything, you would have to get yourself to a hospital even if it was just for advice about feeding? Thats shocking.

What about post natal depression? who would pick up on that?

I had great care actually. And I didn't pay for it as my income was low enough at the time to qualify for state care. My doctor was lovely and so were all the nurses.

I didn't have an epidural til I was at a 7, so I did lots of walking and sitting in the tub, then after I had my epidural I slept and then pushed.

But I don't think it's the same for everyone. I am really interested in the natural birthing, etc, and have actually talked to a midwife I know about training to do the same. I just don't think I could do it myself.

You see the pediatrician when the baby is a few days old and he asks after you, then you go in for a six-week check to discuss how you're doing.

Before you leave the hospital the doctor gives you numbers to call if you're feeling PPD. Or else you're just supposed to call them. I called when DS was a week old or so and said I was not coping. They said to come in immediately, and I did.

I don't think I am "lucky" in the UK. I think in the Netherlands they get it right with kraamzorg service, when a qualified nurse comes for up to 8 day continuous stretch not only to make sure that the mum and the baby are doing well healthwise, but also teach how to look after a newborn (if required) as well as to help out with care for older children and light cooking/cleaning if the mum requires such help (as little as necessary and up to 8hr a day). Separately there is the service of the lactation consultant who will make sure the feeding is established.

Community care in the UK is very basic from what I have experienced.

That's a bit harsh Aubergine. My experience in the US was first class - different but no reason to complain, so I won't.

Oh I could so do with help with older children and light cooking/cleaning....

tooblunt my experience was too.