An Expat Talks about What is Was Like Having a Baby in Cork, Ireland

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

Cork

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

2 years ago

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...

CUMH. I had only 2 ultrasound scans: one at 9 weeks and the other was because I had bright red breakthrough bleeding. I had horrible morning sickness and was never given anything for relief. I ended up spending majority of my pregnancy sleeping on the couch while my husband took care of me. I found bathing, brushing my teeth or dressing a real chore since I was very weak due to the morning sickness. The doctor felt that I did not need any medication since I did not work.

I also wanted to find out the sex of my baby and was denied.

I had my baby without any pain medications.~ natural. Well, it was an easy birth with only 2 hours of pushing. I heard another mother that was in labour in our room asking for pain medicaiton and the nurse seemed to push for the 'natural' birth option for her. I doubt she received any pain meds either.

We were paying into private health insurance but could not afford to pay for a private room. So, I had to share a room with 3 mothers/and 3 babies. The babies sleep in the room with you and if the babies are extremely colicky or the mother is having issues~ good luck trying to sleep! I did not sleep for two days while I was in the hospital and even requested that nurse give me a 'sleeping pill'. No joke! It was hell! I was so glad to go home and finally sleep. Yes, I had more rest being a first time mom at home.

I will say that I like the nurse that assisted me during the afternoon. She helped me with breastfeeding and was really nice.

The best gift~ was my little baby. So, it was all worth it in the end.

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

Locally, I didn't have private.

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

I would ask more questions~ switch doctors if they do not help me with the morning sickness.

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

I would suggest private healthcare.