An Expat Talks about What is Was Like Having a Baby in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

What is the name of the city or town that you are reporting on?

Ho Chi Minh City

How recently did you give birth in the country that you are reporting on?

2.5 months (24/11/08)

Describe your experience giving birth there. What type of facility did you go to? What (if any) type of pain management did you use? How long did you stay in the hospital? Was it a positive experience? Etc...

My wife and I used Franco-Vietnamese Hospital for pre-natal examinations, the cesarean section and infant follow-ups. My wife was provided all the tests, and then some, that were included in the pre-nat package. Everything was explained to us in Vietnamese and English. We had one ob-gyn throughout the process and he performed the c-section, as well.

The c-section began on time and except for our daughter deciding to shift from the head down position to transverse during the procedure, everything went according to the plan. My wife requested additional pain meds. The surgical nurse was quick to push the med directly into the point at the wrist.

I (husband) have had to use FVH for an emergency several years ago. We trust FVH.

My wife and daughter spent 5 days in the hospital. Nursing staff were professional, courteous and friendly. The insurance department was very cooperative.

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How did you choose your doctor, midwife or other type of medical professional?

Usually the doctor sees the initial patient and the patient can choose a doctor. We were fortunate to have an ob-gyn who works at FVH and is Ob-Gyn chief at another local hospital. He was the physician throughout the pregnancy.

If you were to have another child in this country, would you do anything differently in terms of preparation and/or the delivery?

No. If we have another baby, we would use FVH again and request the same ob-gyn. Infant checkups are done in the children's clinic and it operates like an HMO in the states; you get whichever doctor is assigned. The nurses who give injections, and other procedures, use appropriate handwashing and use gloves. The doctors we've seen have each washed their hands prior to examining our infant.

If a friend of yours living in the same country were expecting a baby, what advice would you give her?

I would suggest checking on different hospitals, such as Tu Do, Columbia, FVH and a few others. Hospitals are competitive and like to show off what they do. Take a tour and choose a hospital one is comfortable with and will accept their respective insurance programs, if the prospective patient has one.