I AM GOING TO HAVE A BABY ABROAD ...             

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

  

 

 

KAREN : OUR JUNE 2003 INTERVIEWEE

 

My name is Karen and I have recently arrived from Scotland although by birth I am Welsh. I moved here at the end of September2002 with my husband and 2 other children who are now 6 and 4years old.
 
Was it difficult to be pregnant in France far from home and from your family?
Since I already have 2 children I was not worried about giving birth in a different country, I knew that something would be different but I felt that I could cope with most things and if I didn't agree with something I knew I could always say so. 
As for being far a way from home and family, I was used to that because in Scotland, I was 350 miles away from my family and I had had to cope there as well. What was more difficult for me was my lack of French. I had learned French at school and also I had recently had some lessons here but my comprehension was not very good.
 
Did you choose to be followed by a gynaecologist or by a mid-wife?
When I first arrived in France, I was six months pregnant and my primary concern was finding an obstetrician to deliver the baby. My first two children were born in a pool with no problems at all and I was keen to repeat that experience. The first doctor I saw was English speaking but he told me that it would not be possible to have a pool birth in Toulouse. When I discovered that this was not the case I was recommended Dr Zabraniecki who could perform a pool birth at Sarrus Teinturiers Clinic. I did not see a midwife or attend classes because I felt after two children I knew what to expect.
 
Did you find a lot of differences between the French medical system and the British one?
I found there were lots of differences between the French and English systems:    - Having to find your own doctor/midwife; 
   - Having to go to a laboratory for tests; 
   - Mandatory blood group testing;
   - Mandatory visit to the anaesthetist in the 8th month; 
   - Choosing which hospital / clinic to attend internal examinations when   attending for appointments with the doctor, in the UK this is not normally done and even Dr given a bed near her.
   - Paying for your treatment, of course in the UK it is free; 
   - Midwives have more autonomy in the UK, I did not see a doctor during the labour and delivery for my other children.
     
What was the delivery like?
    My waters broke 5/6 weeks early and I was induced the following morning, my baby was born two hours later but because of being premature he had problems breathing.
     My husband did not cut the cord and neither was he asked I he wanted to. She was brought back to me for a few minutes and then taken away to the special care baby unit at Sarrus. 
     She got worse and that evening she was transferred to Purpan to the neonatal intensive care where she was put on a respirator. Amy continued to get worse over the next three days and finally started to improve on the fifth day.
    
    Anybody who has had a baby will know how I feel when I tell you that I was not allowed to go to Purpan with my baby. I had tore main at Sarrus until my husband could collect me and take me to Purpan where we could see that she was there. I had to remain in my hospital room at Sarrus whilst I listened to the siren of the ambulance taking her away. I was not allowed to see Amy outside of visiting times at Purpan, 3pm to 9pm.I would leave her at night not knowing if she would still be alive the next time I saw her.
    The medical care that Amy received was very good, the doctors and nurses who cared for her were excellent, but It was distressing not to be with her.
    Amy got better and on the sixth day she was transferred back to special care at Sarrus, again, I was not allowed to stay overnight but I could stay as long as I wanted to during the day. Amy came home on her 12th day and continues to thrive.
     
  Did you opt for the epidural anaesthesia ?
    I found it incredible that I could not choose the position that I found most comfortable for the delivery of the baby. I was told to move to the edge of the bed with my legs in the area and no questions asked. Finally, for this part any way, no gas and aid for pain relief, I managed without but what a barbaric way to go 
     
  Did you breastfeed your baby?
     I expressed breast milk for her to be given via a nasogastric tube and as soon as I could I fed her directly from the breast. The breastfeeding advice that I was given was good and all the staff were very supportive of the breastfeeding. Dr Zabraniecki prescribed an electric pump for me to use at home. I am still breastfeeding Amy and expect to carry on until she is about 18months old.
     I held my baby properly for the first time when she was 5 days old and I fed her when she was 9 days old. I am very grateful for the fact that Amy is alive thanks to the care she received but it was more traumatic for me than it should have been because we were separated.
     
  What about your feelings regarding the medical staff ?
    I thought that the midwife care I received at the hospital could have been better, they did everything they were supposed to do but I did not receive much emotional support: 
I was left on my own when they took Amy t to Purpan, despite being obviously distressed, in fact I was on my own most of the time at the clinic, there seemed to be a general feeling that my baby was in good hands and therefore I shouldn't be worrying
     
  How was your return at home?
    My mother flew out as soon as we realised that Amy was not well and she looked after all of us for a week, Amy came home the day after my mother returned to the UK so she didn't really have the opportunity to see her new grand daughter, however mum is coming back for the February half term and we're looking forward to that.
     

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