any help re. giving birth in greece

• looking for any other people who have given birth in Alexandra Hospital in Athens for advice.

  06 Jul 2007, 06:31 BM

Replies

• Giving birth in Greece....................

  Hi, I gave birth in Greece in 1997.. and I had a boy..
  I gave Birth here under the I.K.A. systum.. with 12 other women in the ward with me..
  
  (it was a teaching Hospital)
  
  They asked if I would allow the students to watch the birth.. I told them I had no probs with that.. (but in a stronger language....!)
  
  I did have to point out to the head nurse that my qualifications ect , were ....ect.. in the same area.. and so I actually knew what I was doing...!
  
  (small fight about that.. which I won..)
  
  After that no probs for anything... and later, took you son home...
  
  I did get lots of proposals of marrage from other women with daughters at the hospital.. they wanted my son for their son in law..............!? because of his blonde hair and light eye`s.........
  
  The birth , where ever you are is only ever as good as you make it.....!
  
  
  All the best, from us up in Thesaloniki.... xoxoxoxoxo
  
  And if your ever up this way.. just look up the Out of Towners..

  outoftowners.net 06 Sep 2007, 05:42 - Report

• give birth

  I only have the expirience of the university Hospital in Patras and it was awful. My second child came earlier and i felt like an animal but not as a woman. Im nurse for children and i hoped never to be in in such a backward situation. The best is, to go into the hospital and try to get informations about their work there, see the rooms,... but I think this is also not usally??? Find a midwife you trust, maybe she can help you to find the right place. I heard from other women also, that they were satisfied, but they were in private hospitals and not in public. Im sure the doctors are good, but they work in a bad system.

  simone hasler 22 Oct 2007, 08:45 - Report

• Giving birth in Greece

  Hello. Although I have many friends and relatives that gave birth in Athens none went to Alexandra hospital. Most save up to go to private hospitals like IASO, MITERA. My sister gave birth to both her sons in IASO and she enjoyed it. If you can afford it (it could be somewhere around 5000 euros) I'd say go for IASO. I know I would if I was in Greece.

  Helen 10 Jan 2008, 12:44 - Report

• Alexandra Hospital

  I gave birth to my son in Alexandra hospital, I was taken there in emergency and would not chose to go there again if other options were available.

  Jayne 31 Jul 2008, 07:45 - Report

• giving birth in volos hospital

  Hi, I gave birth to both my children, now 10 and 7 in the general hospital in Volos.
  I am very satisfied with the way they helped me except for the bathrooms which were very dirty back then. Now the whole ward has moved to the new hospital. The care for me and the children was very good. You need to speak some greek though.
  1) Find a gynaecologist you like and trust in the hospital and go to the monthly check-ups. This way you see what is going on in the hospital and how they work. Try to make sure you have this gynaecologist to help you give birth.
  2)Ask if you don't understand something and go with the flow. Every hospital has certain ways they do things and it varies per country.
  3)Don't expect many others to help and support you, you have to do it. Then you don't feel disappointed afterwards.
  4)Try to enjoy the whole process because it's the most unique experience you will ever have.
  5)Try to breastfeed the baby immediately and ask the nurse to wake you up in the night so you can continue. It's the best for you and your baby!!!
  6)Giving birth naturally is normal and don't let others talk you into a caesarian. Your recovery is much quicker. I was up and about in a couple of hours!!!
  Good luck, Daphne

  Daphne 11 May 2009, 10:10 - Report

• birth

  hi
  i found out i was pregnant early last year and searched online for some advice but could not find much so i just wanted to put some useful info here for anyone else in a similar position. I was working full time and was covered by IKA but i wasnt keen on the process as all the appointments were with different doctors so after much searching we found an english speaking doctor at Alexandra hospital who offered to be my doctor throughout my pregnacy. Alexandra Hospital doesnt look great infact it looks like a prison and as it is IKA there are alot of less fortunate people which is a little off putting but the level of medical care is the best in Athens. I gave birth in december 2008 to a beautiful health baby girl and overall was really pleased with the care i received and would definately have my second child there. The rooms arent great, not much privacy (no curtains around the beds) but overall it was a great experience and the pleasure of holding you child in your arms takes away from ugly decor!!
  Good Luck

  caryn 10 Jun 2009, 05:07 - Report

• Birth in a public hospital

  Hi, i'm due to give birth in September and i'm terrified. I've been seeing a fantastic private doctor and had hoped to give birth in a private hospital. Unfortunately i don't think i can afford that now and may have to give birth in a public hospital. I went to the local one and met the doctor (who doesn't speak any English) and although he seems pleasant the hospital was shocking. My husband was not even allowed in the ultrasound room with me, even after explaining that my Greek isn't very good. They refused to speak English although i would be very surprised if they couldn't as practically everyone does in Greece! Then the final straw came when the doctor told us that my husband is not allowed in the delivery room (a natural birth). Naturally i can't understand this and the idea of being alone with doctors with whom i can't communicate and nurses who came across as uncaring is very scary. Financially though i don't think i have a choice. If i have anouther child i will definitely go back to the UK, the idea that childbirth in Greece is either safe and expensive or backward and free is unbelievable for an EU country.

  Sarah 03 Aug 2009, 05:34 - Report