Emergency maternity care in Nice France

[willymcwill]

I'm due to travel to Nice for a few nights next week, and I'll be 33 weeks. I have checked that I'm covered under my travel insurance (fully covered for everything including family staying with me and repatriation). And will have fit to travel letter signed by consultant/midwife/GP (one of the above!). I also have an EHIC.

Now I'm just trying to make sure that I know what to do/where to go in case of needing emergency maternity care while on holiday. Do I just turn up to the nearest hospital, notes on hand? My French is passable, will need to brush up on some specific pregnancy related phrases! I'm booked in for an elcs in the UK, and would need one if I went into labour in France.

I'm not worried about travelling, just want to get the logistics straight in my mind!

If anyone has any recommendations of the best hospital too, that'd be great!

I was in Cannes last summer and was 30 weeks pregnant. I woke up one morning and had some bleeding so called my midwife back home who advised to go into hospital. I went to the hospital in Grasse, I did call beforehand but they said to just go in and when I turned up they were not expecting me however I was seen straight away.

I took my notes and my European health card. One midwife spoke a little English and other spoke much better English however I would maybe brush up on a few phrases!

The care was excellent despite the language barrier and luckily all was well with the baby.

Hope that helps and hope you have a lovely trip!

If you can, get your fit-to-fly from a doctor rather than a midwife and get them to add a signed note summarising your care plan, ie c-section for X reason scheduled at 39 weeks, if in labour before then, emergency section. A doctor's word is more relatable than a midwife who will have much less autonomy in the French system.

Dear ladys, we’re travelling to Nice and its area this August and being in first trimester I am worried about tiger mosquitoes spreading zika, dengue and chikungunya...
Is it a real danger there for pregnant women?
Thank you very much for the feedback!