Briochedoree/any other French mums - has anyone used an independent midwife in France?

[laughorcry]

I'm pregnant with my third child and wondering whether to have it in France or the UK. Has anyone got any experience of using an independent midwife here?

Also, are all the ante-natal tests that are described as obligatory really compulsory? I don't think that I would be entitled to any of the maternity payments so am not bothered about those being witheld.

Would be most grateful for any info as this is all making me feel a bit stressed about the birth!

I had DS2 in the south of France and used an independent midwife, in fact a team of 2 independent midwives. These ones do home births, which I considered for a while but in the end decided I wanted a hospital birth. They still did all my follow-up prior to the birth apart from the compulsory sessions with a gynecologist/obstetrician (one or two), and then on the day of the birth one of them came to my house and then we went to the clinic together. The gyn/obs had said my midwife could accompany me but in the end the duty midwife said I had to choose between her and DH, so she waited in the corridor for me.

The independent midwives were absolutely fantastic and a total antidote to the over-medicalised French system. The gynecologist was ok but I always had to wait a couple of hours and then she was pretty brusque and just checking that all was ok for the baby really. The midwives actually asked about me and how I was feeling and experiencing it, and gave me really brilliant advice about handling the birth and trying to have a natural birth.

I had DS1 in NZ and the system was very different and totally midwife-led, so I was very concerned about having a baby in France. The clinic was not a very good experience, mainly because they are so used to everyone having an epidural they don't seem to know how to help a woman through labour. I guess these are all things you'd need to weigh up between France and the UK, depending on the kind of birth you want.

Where in France are you?

Not sure about the antenatal tests - I did them, but was entitled to allowances etc so figured I had to.

I had DS with an independant midwife here - I still did most of the tests (scans, bloods, strep b swab) and had monthly appts with her, which I think covered what you are "supposed" to have.

I had a home birth in the end and it as fantastic such a hugely different experience to my 1st baby in clinic with gyne, etc.

If you have anymore questions.. let me know

as = was, oops

That was quick laughorcry! I knew this was you when I saw teh title!Mazeltov! Don't be stressed!

Will mail you!

Thanks very much for your email Weta - have mailed back!

PomPotty - thank you for your post. I have loads of questions! Firstly was wondering whereabouts you are in France? And how you found your midwife? Also, how were things after the birth? Can it be right that you have to take your child to the doctor's 10 times in the first year (which is what I have read). If you had the time to email me that would be fantastic. My address is the name of this website then the letters ter @ gmail . com

Either way, thanks very much!

Hi there,

Congratulations on the pregnancy.

I did the whole clinic/gynae thing and it was first child and first experience - so nothing to compare it to - but it was great for me.

I do know a fantastic independent (English) mid-wife in my area though and I am sure she would chat to you if you needed help or advice.

I am in Picardy.

flyingcloud - thanks very much, that would be absolutely fantastic as I am fairly nearby. Could you possibly email me her details? Address (as above) is the name of this website then the letters ter @ gmail . com

Would be so grateful as I've had some really ineteresting info from Weta and am now more confused than ever!

Emailed you!

am emailing