Positive story on giving birth in France

[AuldAlliance]

Just wanted to link to my birth story here.
There are so many negative aspects to the whole experience of giving birth in France; I would like to show that an alternative, happy experience is possible.
If you want the address of the hospital I gave birth in, where epidural is not mandatory and where mothers are listened to, let me know. It's in Provence, BTW...

Ohh congratulations - I didn't see your other thread.

He is beautiful - I'm glad it went so well for you.

Oooh, congratulations!
Actually, of my two births, the French one (VBAC) was much better handled than the British one (emergency section) but I think I was also lucky in my choice of hospital.
Glad your little one has arrived safely!

Thanks.
I have a box of clothes waiting to be posted to you, and more will follow once I have lost more weight (soon, hopefully, am feeling very hippo-ish!). Thanks again for letting me have them.
So glad to be away from work: strike now in week 12 on my campus .

oops, cross-posted, that was for HaventSleptForAYear...

Don't worry about posting the clothes - I certainly don't need them back and will probably be giving them away afterwards.

Do you know of any good places/people to give them to? If so, do that.

We are on holidays at the moment so no strike issues - will be back into it next week though.

There's an association here that takes baby and kids' stuff for families in difficulty. I could ask if they take maternity clothes, too, if you are sure.
If there are any specific bits you'd like to pass on to anyone, let me know and I'll return them.

Will read thru your birth story later, but just wanted to say I had a reasonable birth experience, without an epidural at a clinic in Montpellier. Did all my preparation with 2 homebirth midwives, who were fantastic, spent the first 5 hours at home and then transferred (as had always planned) to the clinic.

Had a few problems with the clinic midwife but the obstetrician was absolutely fantastic as well.

There are ways to get through it all, I just think you have to do loads of research and try to get the best clinic or the best combination of services...

auldalliance, i am having my baby in france my french is still pretty patchy would love to know if you think language is a bit barrier or any terms which were commonly used xx

also how long did you stay in Hospital for exactly?

Tigerbump,
Have just seen your post.

I can't really say about language, as my French is pretty much fluent. I reckon you'd muddle through, but it would obv be wiser to have mastered the basic terms (péridurale, périnée, spatules, etc.)
Lots of Latin or Greek-based medical/ physiological words are the same in Fr and English, though.
Probably a good idea to get a book in French re pregnancy and childbirth, not so much for its actual content as to bone up on vocab. And also try to go to ante-natal classes, even if you don't understand all of it, you'll meet staff and get a feel for the place.

I stayed in for 3 days (gave birth Sat am, left Tues am). I was told by one MW that this is to a degree a national requirement; she said the hospital wouldn't get the costs for my stay paid by the state if I left early.

If you need any help/advice, there are quite a few MNers dotted around France who'll answer any queries you post, I'm sure.

Good luck - and congratulations.

Hi I want to give birth in france can you please give me the details of the hospital you have birth in if you can .