Birth at American Hospital in Paris?

Hi there! Do any of you know anything about giving birth at the American Hospital in Paris? And is there a recommended OB there?

It's a long story but I've decided to avoid giving birth here in Bristol if at all possible--I'm looking at London, Paris or going back to the US. I've heard great things about the American Hospital in Paris and like the fact that it has JHACO accreditation. It would be really helpful to hear from someone who has delivered there! TIA

I don't know anything about the American hospital in Paris, but have you explored the private hospital options in London, like the Portland?  It is run by HCA, which is an American company.  It might be easier than heading back to the US long before you are ready, due to transatlantic flight restrictions that start to crop up in the third trimester.  And it's closer than Paris. 

 

Hi, Ophinky. Yes, I'm planning on looking at the Portland and a few other private wings of NHS hospitals in London, too. Getting back to the US to give birth is really, really tricky! :-)

Does the maternity unit in Bristol have a bad reputation?

Does the maternity unit in Bristol have a bad reputation?

I was born in Bristol - I haven't heard anything about bad reputations in the city.

Two Bristol hospitals (St. Michaels and Southmead) have fully accredited maternity units (both with large consultant units), with St. Michael's gaining top marks in its maternity unit quality assessment in 2010 (passed with flying colours and didn't drop a single mark in 47 different assessment categories).

Also, Bristol has been named UNICEF's first baby-friendly city. In fact, it weren't for the maternity unit at Southmead Hospital, my mum might not be here today (there were complications after my brother was born).

How strange...this question was recently asked on another forum I read...

http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/222797.page

Hi Geeta, It's not really so strange. I post on both sites just like you! :-)

To respond to other pps posts about Bristol's maternity offerings, they are both medically fine. My question though was specifically about the American hospital in Paris. If anyone has info pertinent to that hospital, I'd be very interested. Thanks!

Hi there, I don't know about the American hospital in Paris.  I did go for a consultation at at the Portland Street, and I was personally very disappointed.  If you want to PM me, I'm happy to tell you what happened - it was appalling.

I opted to go back to the States as I'd only been here a month when I fell pregnant.  I was so new to the system, that I just couldn't square my head with it.   If I were to become pregnant again, I would deliver here, especially since I'd be having a C-section based on my history so there wouldn't be as much in question.  Don't know if that makes sense over a post!

We are near the John Radcliffe in Oxford.

Best of luck!

I was very nervous to give birth in the UK and had thought about going back to the US but after going through the whole process here, I actually am trying to avoid having our next baby in the US (watching The Business of Being Born has reaffirmed that the UK is the right place for us to have the next baby!)

... (watching The Business of Being Born has reaffirmed that the UK is the right place for us to have the next baby!)

I've seen this film. Shocking! 

I've seen it too.  Shocking, but it also has its own agenda and some shoddy statistics.

I think, like most medical issues, it depends on where you are in the US (and of course your insurance) and where you are in the UK.  Some places are great, some good and some bad no matter where you are.

My experience in the US was amazing vs. the pregnancy care I had here.  Could have been our location in the UK and US that made it that way...

No experience with the American Hospital in Paris personally (had both of mine in the UK) but surely you would run into issues with coming back into the UK with baby as they wouldn't have a passport yet?