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KAREN : OUR JUNE 2003 INTERVIEWEE
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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. |
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Was it
difficult to be pregnant in France far from home and from your
family? |
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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. |
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Did you
choose to be followed by a gynaecologist or by a mid-wife? |
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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. |
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Did you find
a lot of differences between the French medical system and the
British one? |
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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. |
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What was the
delivery like? |
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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.
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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. |
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Did you opt
for the epidural anaesthesia ? |
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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 |
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Did you
breastfeed your baby? |
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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. |
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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. |
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What about
your feelings regarding the medical staff ? |
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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 |
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How was
your return at home? |
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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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