Anyone in Valencia, Spain?

[Bridle]

Hi all! :)

I'm an Aussie living in Valencia and would love to get in contact with some other English speakers living around this area, if possible. I'm a Mum of 3 (aged 11, 8 and 6 years), 21 weeks pregnant with #4 and have only lived in Spain for about 5 months. I barely speak any Spanish as yet, so it gets a bit lonely.

I would love to join a mother's group after this baby is born, but I'm not sure how that's going to be possible due to not having a decent command of the language. (That's if they even have mother's groups here... I wouldn't know!) In the meantime, I would also love to meet up with other mums and mums-to-be that I can actually speak to (LOL). Pregnancy and the prospect of childbirth in a new country where you can't speak the language, the culture is still unfamiliar, you have no friends nor family and the medical system is a mystery is daunting at times, to say the least!

I'd really like to look into English speaking doulas here, but I wouldn't even know where to start. Do they even allow doulas in hospitals in Spain??? So many questions....

Even if no one here lives in this area of Spain, any advice/suggestions that anyone could offer me in regards to living, integrating or even just coping(!!) in Spain would be most appreciated! :)

I'm not in Spain, but can sympathise. My DDs were born out here, no friends, no family, no nothing. At least I found English speaking Doctors though. Have you tried your own consulate for details of any ex-pat groups, or maybe the British consulate?, or American. I'm beginning to clutch at straws here, sorry.

What type of school are your DCs in, local or international? Maybe they could point you in the right direction?

I hope you find someone to talk to soon and enjoy your time in Spain.

I am in Spain but not in your area. I had both my children out here and had a really positive experience both times, fantastic care. I did join a local English speaking mums and babies group which I found very helpful. There are quite a few down here but not sure about Valencia! Try your local English paper, Euronews maybe. There is web site mumsinspain that also may help.

I'm in Valencia city and have had one of my children here, I found the hospitals very clean and a few Drs speak English, Do you know which hospital you will be having your baby at?

There is no gas and air, only an epidural or a walking epidural (have no idea what that is!) so I had nothing when I gave birth. (yes, it hurt!)

You have to stay in for 3 days after having baby, but someone can stay with you in hospital.

www.tusclasesparticulares.com is good for language exchange (you speak in English for half an hour, they in Spanish)

HTH