Sunday, May 5, 2013
Call for contributors
I no longer live in Brazil and am looking for interested parties to continue updating the English-speaking OB/midwives lists and adding current content. If you are an expat or English-speaker living in Brasilia who is currently pregnant (or considering getting pregnant or the partner of someone who is pregnant) and you would like to contribute to this blog please contact me and I will add you as an author.
Friday, February 1, 2013
OB/GYN, doula and pediatrician recommendations - Liga
We highly recommend our obstetritian Raquel dos Reis, consultation price 300 RS (especially to those who really are in favour of natural birth) and hospital Santa Lucia. I was actually preparing for the natural birth but in the last weak my baby took a breach (sitting) position, so I had to do the C-section. However, the doctor waited until the process starts naturally (according to my wish) and only then i went to hospital. In cases like mine, the doctor does the C-section with her husband, also obstetritian, Fabio dos Reis. So, this doctor is really ready for any kind of situation. The doctor is also very much in favour of humanized C-sections - with music, calm atmosphere, etc.
Dra. Raquel dos Reis (obstetritian, speaks english)
SHLS 716 Conjunto C, Consultorio 306, tel. 3245-1322, cel.9982-8600.
We also recommend the doula Rafaela, consultation 150 RS, who does wonderful job. Both, Raquel and Rafaela speak english and are promoters of natural birth.
Doula Rafaela Ferreira Rosa
Centro Clinico Via Brasil Seps 710/910 Tore B Sala 541
phone...442-8141 cel. 9959-8662, email rafaelarosa@yahoo.com.br
And now we have a wonderful pediatritian, Joao Pimentel, (consultation price 300 RS), who really picks up his mobile phone 24 hours in cases of doubts, etc.
Dr. Joao Pimentel (pediatritian)
Liberty Mall, SCN quadra 2 bloco D torre A sala 718, phone 3037-3377/ 3032-3377, clinica@crescendopediatria.com.br, www.crescendopediatria.com.br
Well, I could go on and on about different aspects of my pregnancy and birth. We went through a lot during the pregnancy, also some less positive aspects like bureaucracy with insuarance for the birth, forced c-section ideas (during first pregnancy months we had other obstetritian) and we had a lot of doubts at the beginning about the medical standarts in this city.
Dra. Raquel dos Reis (obstetritian, speaks english)
SHLS 716 Conjunto C, Consultorio 306, tel. 3245-1322, cel.9982-8600.
We also recommend the doula Rafaela, consultation 150 RS, who does wonderful job. Both, Raquel and Rafaela speak english and are promoters of natural birth.
Doula Rafaela Ferreira Rosa
Centro Clinico Via Brasil Seps 710/910 Tore B Sala 541
phone...442-8141 cel. 9959-8662, email rafaelarosa@yahoo.com.br
And now we have a wonderful pediatritian, Joao Pimentel, (consultation price 300 RS), who really picks up his mobile phone 24 hours in cases of doubts, etc.
Dr. Joao Pimentel (pediatritian)
Liberty Mall, SCN quadra 2 bloco D torre A sala 718, phone 3037-3377/ 3032-3377, clinica@crescendopediatria.com.br, www.crescendopediatria.com.br
Well, I could go on and on about different aspects of my pregnancy and birth. We went through a lot during the pregnancy, also some less positive aspects like bureaucracy with insuarance for the birth, forced c-section ideas (during first pregnancy months we had other obstetritian) and we had a lot of doubts at the beginning about the medical standarts in this city.
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Pool nets
A friend passed on this information for a company that makes pool cover nets and also screens windows.
Brasilia Telas
8498-1312 or 3456-1373
They gave color choices, which was a nice option for the net.
Brasilia Telas
8498-1312 or 3456-1373
They gave color choices, which was a nice option for the net.
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Maternity Clothes
If you are a fan of Brazilian style clothing (very high
heels and inappropriately tight pants), then you are in luck! If not,
shopping for maternity clothes in Brasilia may be a bit of a challenge.
Similar to everything else in Brasilia, maternity clothes here are very
expensive. The best advice is to borrow from friends! However, if
you find yourself needing to add to your monotonous rotation of maternity wear,
here are a few suggestions;
Feira do Guara - Moda Gestante
I found two stores at Feira do Guara (there may be more).
I found that sizes here run small. I'm used to maternity clothes
that are comfortable (yeah, I finally get to wear an elastic waistband) but
some of the Brazilian styled pants leave you wondering if you should actually
diet in order to fit into their "skinny jeans." Most jeans were
around $R250. Tops averaged around R$80-R$120. There were a range
of shirts from those with tacky logos to those that are work appropriate -- although,
a lot were polyester. I finally did succumb to Brazilian fashion and
bought myself a simple, black, cotton jumper - it was on sale for R$60. I
only wear it around the house, but was very impressed when I saw a pregnant
woman wearing it in bright blue at Tower TV (she had the full jumper version
with pants)!
A Barriguda
I actually found some really cute maternity dresses here.
Although most of the prices were somewhat high -- typically around $350 -
$400 for a dress. I also found some very Brazilian looking jean overall type
outfits.
Here is a brief list of maternity stores in the area that
I know about (I’m sure there are more):
A Gestante
Asa Sul 510, Bloco B, Loja 69
3304-2244
A Barriguda
Patio Brasilia LOJA: 508, Piso 3
Patio Brasilia LOJA: 508, Piso 3
Asa Sul, CLS 315
102 Sudoete
Moda Gestante (Feira do Guara)
Corredor C - Box 75
3382-4163
Monday, October 22, 2012
Pagamento no ato
When I was pregnant one of the first things I realized I didn't know how to say in Portuguese was "I don't have health insurance and I'll be paying cash." And you need to know this because you are constantly seeing a doctor or blood technician and even if the doctor speaks English, odds are their receptionist does not. So for those who haven't already gone and figured it out the hard way (with pleading smiles, hand motions, and the pre-emptive handing over of credit cards), here's my experience with paying for medical services, as well as a couple of common phrases you may need to understand.
"Particular ou Convenio" or "Pagamento no ato"
At a doctor's office usually Brazilians arrive and hand their health plan card to the receptionist/assistant. This identifies them to the receptionist and gives their payment information. Most embassy folk, however, will be paying up front and requesting reimbursement from their health insurance back in the States (or other country of origin). So I suggest that upon your arrival in the office, go to the desk and tell them your name. "Eu sou [Donna Brown]. Tenho uma consulta as [oito e meia]." It isn't always necessary as frequently the receptionist knows you are the foreigner due to your having worn jeans and flats instead of a dress and heels.
The next thing they will ask is "Particular ou convenio?" or "Pagamento no ato?" If you are paying up front, you say, "Particular." or "Pagamento no ato." Particular means that you will be handling the payment yourself, Pagamento no ato basically means "Payment up front". Then they will calculate your fee and you usually pay before seeing the doctor. For some reason I typically paid after the appointments with Dr Rachel Santos dos Reis. But her assistants won't let you forget so don't worry about walking out without paying. It won't happen.
At Sabin you take a number from a little box and you have the option to choose preferencial - choose it. Pregnant women and the elderly are expedited - people expect you to do this and will encourage you to go to the front of lines. Don't be shy!
My experience with the clinics and medical offices is that doctors don't accept credit cards, but clinics do. Sabin will accept cards, but my OB and ultrasound technician did not. So always have at least R$350 with you when you go to a doctor.
What did I miss? What is your experience with paying for care at doctors and medical offices in Brasilia?
"Particular ou Convenio" or "Pagamento no ato"
At a doctor's office usually Brazilians arrive and hand their health plan card to the receptionist/assistant. This identifies them to the receptionist and gives their payment information. Most embassy folk, however, will be paying up front and requesting reimbursement from their health insurance back in the States (or other country of origin). So I suggest that upon your arrival in the office, go to the desk and tell them your name. "Eu sou [Donna Brown]. Tenho uma consulta as [oito e meia]." It isn't always necessary as frequently the receptionist knows you are the foreigner due to your having worn jeans and flats instead of a dress and heels.
The next thing they will ask is "Particular ou convenio?" or "Pagamento no ato?" If you are paying up front, you say, "Particular." or "Pagamento no ato." Particular means that you will be handling the payment yourself, Pagamento no ato basically means "Payment up front". Then they will calculate your fee and you usually pay before seeing the doctor. For some reason I typically paid after the appointments with Dr Rachel Santos dos Reis. But her assistants won't let you forget so don't worry about walking out without paying. It won't happen.
At Sabin you take a number from a little box and you have the option to choose preferencial - choose it. Pregnant women and the elderly are expedited - people expect you to do this and will encourage you to go to the front of lines. Don't be shy!
My experience with the clinics and medical offices is that doctors don't accept credit cards, but clinics do. Sabin will accept cards, but my OB and ultrasound technician did not. So always have at least R$350 with you when you go to a doctor.
What did I miss? What is your experience with paying for care at doctors and medical offices in Brasilia?
Monday, September 24, 2012
Alexa: Medevac to the USA
How do you feel about your birth experience?
I feel good about it. It was tough being away from my husband for a long time, but I had a great support system of family and friends to help me before and after my daughter's birth.
What would you change and how?
I wouldn't change much, although I ended up having to be induced in order to deliver my baby before my husband had to leave to head back to Brazil. It was a very tough and lengthy labor and delivery, as a result. I hope to not have to repeat that in the future.
Why did you chose to go for your delivery?
I chose to go back to the states because I felt like I had more good reasons to go than stay. Primarily, because this was my first baby and I didn't really know what to expect with childbirth as it was, let alone giving birth in a foreign country where I don't speak the language well and medical practices are different than in America. The rate of C-sections is extremely (and in my opinion, alarmingly) high in Brazil, and I didn't want to worry that my doctor might not be familiar with vaginal births, epidurals, etc. or might even be unwilling to help me try to have my baby the old fashioned way. My husband expressed an interest in me staying and giving birth to our daughter, Ava, here, but also told me he wanted me to be comfortable and that he supported whatever I decided. I ultimately decided I wanted to feel as comfortable as possible -- physically and emotionally -- and back in Texas was where I could do that.
I am also very close to my family and so I was happy to spend such a long time at home with them, despite the fact that I obviously missed my husband, Jeff. I definitely felt his absence the most after Ava was a week old and Jeff had to leave to come back to Brasilia and back to work. I was staying with my parents, and they helped me with Ava all day and in the evenings, but I did not ever wake them up to help me with her in the middle of the night, as I sure as heck would have done to Jeff, had he been around. I felt a bit like a single mom to a newborn during some sleepless nights and early morning feedings, and that was tough. Another plus, though, was having a lot of family come in from out of town to see us. I didn't have to worry and wonder about when everyone was going to get to meet my baby. If they wanted to come we were just a few cities or states away, not an international flight away.
Although it wasn't a deciding factor for me, the shopping that I was able to do before and after my daughter's birth was a major positive to being back in the states. Need one more larger pair of pants? I'll just go pick one up. And after Ava's birth, once I had a better idea of what she needed or didn't, I was able to easily and inexpensively go buy everything we wanted.
Why did you chose your doctor/midwife? Were you happy with your choice?
I chose my doctor here based on recommendations from the Health Unit and word of mouth. Dra. Salete Rios is a good doctor and a very nice person who also speaks English. She gave me her cell phone and told me to call her if I ever needed her, and meant it. She has a small office that was often packed, and I sometimes had to wait a long time past my appointment time. You can't be in a hurry for regular check ups. Dra. Salete doesn't do sonograms in her office. She sent me to a female radiologist in Victoria Medical Center, the same building where Dra. Salete's office is located. Her name was Dra. Luciana Souza at Santa Clara, and she was very nice, very professional and spoke great English.
I chose my doctor in the states by going through the list of doctors in my insurance's network, then narrowing them down by location and whether or not they were board certified, which was important to me. I also looked for reviews online from real past patients. I chose Dr. John Thoppil at Cedar Park Medical Center and was very happy with him.
Did you feel like you had control over your labor experience? Is there anything you would do differently?
Yes and no. My daughter was slightly overdue, and my husband had to leave within the week, so my doctor suggested I be induced. I was induced, according to plan, but my body must have really not been ready yet because I was in labor with painful contractions for more than 15 hours before I was dilated enough to push, and before that things were progressing so slowly that my doctor suggested a C-section at one point. I ended up pushing for FIVE hours before Ava arrived. It was a very tough labor and delivery. I was, however, aware at all times of what was going on, and able to talk to my doctor and the nurses about what our next move should be, my pain levels, my concerns, etc. These were conversations I couldn't have had in Portuguese. Looking back, I wouldn't change much of anything, because we had to do what we had to do in order for my daughter to arrive before my husband had to leave, but I hope to not have to be induced in the future. My nurses, doctor, aftercare, etc. were all phenomenal. Everyone worked hard to make sure that I was as comfortable and cared for as possible, my delivery and recovery rooms were clean, comfortable and state-of-the-art.
Did you find Brasilia to be a pregnant-friendly place? How so?
Most definitely! In the states, you are lucky to find a "mother-to-be" parking spot outside a store and that about ends your maternity benefits. Here in Brazil, there is a preferencial line or "caixa preferencial" in pretty much every type of store or bank, which lets you get fast-tracked through a special checkout line. You can even cut in front of other people, if you are ballsy enough. (I never really was... it's so foreign to me.) During a Carnival event in Brasilia last year, I had to use the bathroom and went and stood at the back of a line of, like, 30 drunk women at a gas station. Within a minute of catching sight of me and my huge baby belly, they all unanimously agreed, and in fact, insisted, that I go to the very front of the line. Amazing! Having a baby with you also gets you preferencial treatment. I still get this VIP treatment at most places when I have Ava with me.
How was the treatment of your newborn by the hospital staff?
Wonderful. Couldn't have been better. They were there to help and checked on me and the baby often, but weren't overbearing, either. They tried to be as respectful as possible of our need for family alone time, but also were there in a jiffy to help with Ava if I was struggling with something or needed some rest. They also sent me home with all kinds of freebies -- for Ava and for me. I still use the baby brush they gave us on her.
If you had assistance with breastfeeding, was is useful?
I did have assistance with breastfeeding that was helpful. I took a childbirth class and a breastfeeding class in the states while I was home at the end of my pregnancy. (I had looked into doing this with my husband in Brasilia, but the only people who offered such a class in English charged an arm and a leg for it, and I didn't get the sense that I'd be learning the same kinds of things that classes in the states offer.) Both of the classes I took in the states had good information about breastfeeding. After Ava was born, I fed her successfully within about an hour to establish a bond and get things going, but I still needed help along the way, in the following days and weeks. My nurses at the hospital were there to help when I became very exasperated with my lack of sleep and a little trouble with our latch. They helped me a great deal to relax physically and mentally. A week later, when I was back at my parents' home where I was staying, I was so engorged that I was in pain, and the hospital's lactation consultant helped me with some tips. She had left me her card and told me to call anytime. She was very accommodating.
Anything else we should know?
If you are going to go back to the states, or even considering it, read the packet on what to do when you are Medevac'd, available from the Health Unit, and contact the nurses in D.C., as you will be instructed to. Study up on what you will need to do to get your baby his or her passport and visa and don't delay on any portion of this stuff if you want to be back with your spouse within six weeks after the baby is born (about the shortest, fastest possible turnover time for all the required documentation to get you both home). Don't be shy about writing "URGENT!" "DIPLOMAT WITH NEWBORN!" and things like that on the outside of the FedEx envelopes that you will have to send in for you baby's passport and visa. The paperwork on maternity medevacs even suggests that you do so. I also emailed and called the people I was sending this stuff to. It helped. I got Ava's passport within maybe five days and the same with the visa. Be pro-active.
I feel good about it. It was tough being away from my husband for a long time, but I had a great support system of family and friends to help me before and after my daughter's birth.
What would you change and how?
I wouldn't change much, although I ended up having to be induced in order to deliver my baby before my husband had to leave to head back to Brazil. It was a very tough and lengthy labor and delivery, as a result. I hope to not have to repeat that in the future.
Why did you chose to go for your delivery?
I chose to go back to the states because I felt like I had more good reasons to go than stay. Primarily, because this was my first baby and I didn't really know what to expect with childbirth as it was, let alone giving birth in a foreign country where I don't speak the language well and medical practices are different than in America. The rate of C-sections is extremely (and in my opinion, alarmingly) high in Brazil, and I didn't want to worry that my doctor might not be familiar with vaginal births, epidurals, etc. or might even be unwilling to help me try to have my baby the old fashioned way. My husband expressed an interest in me staying and giving birth to our daughter, Ava, here, but also told me he wanted me to be comfortable and that he supported whatever I decided. I ultimately decided I wanted to feel as comfortable as possible -- physically and emotionally -- and back in Texas was where I could do that.
I am also very close to my family and so I was happy to spend such a long time at home with them, despite the fact that I obviously missed my husband, Jeff. I definitely felt his absence the most after Ava was a week old and Jeff had to leave to come back to Brasilia and back to work. I was staying with my parents, and they helped me with Ava all day and in the evenings, but I did not ever wake them up to help me with her in the middle of the night, as I sure as heck would have done to Jeff, had he been around. I felt a bit like a single mom to a newborn during some sleepless nights and early morning feedings, and that was tough. Another plus, though, was having a lot of family come in from out of town to see us. I didn't have to worry and wonder about when everyone was going to get to meet my baby. If they wanted to come we were just a few cities or states away, not an international flight away.
Although it wasn't a deciding factor for me, the shopping that I was able to do before and after my daughter's birth was a major positive to being back in the states. Need one more larger pair of pants? I'll just go pick one up. And after Ava's birth, once I had a better idea of what she needed or didn't, I was able to easily and inexpensively go buy everything we wanted.
Why did you chose your doctor/midwife? Were you happy with your choice?
I chose my doctor here based on recommendations from the Health Unit and word of mouth. Dra. Salete Rios is a good doctor and a very nice person who also speaks English. She gave me her cell phone and told me to call her if I ever needed her, and meant it. She has a small office that was often packed, and I sometimes had to wait a long time past my appointment time. You can't be in a hurry for regular check ups. Dra. Salete doesn't do sonograms in her office. She sent me to a female radiologist in Victoria Medical Center, the same building where Dra. Salete's office is located. Her name was Dra. Luciana Souza at Santa Clara, and she was very nice, very professional and spoke great English.
I chose my doctor in the states by going through the list of doctors in my insurance's network, then narrowing them down by location and whether or not they were board certified, which was important to me. I also looked for reviews online from real past patients. I chose Dr. John Thoppil at Cedar Park Medical Center and was very happy with him.
Did you feel like you had control over your labor experience? Is there anything you would do differently?
Yes and no. My daughter was slightly overdue, and my husband had to leave within the week, so my doctor suggested I be induced. I was induced, according to plan, but my body must have really not been ready yet because I was in labor with painful contractions for more than 15 hours before I was dilated enough to push, and before that things were progressing so slowly that my doctor suggested a C-section at one point. I ended up pushing for FIVE hours before Ava arrived. It was a very tough labor and delivery. I was, however, aware at all times of what was going on, and able to talk to my doctor and the nurses about what our next move should be, my pain levels, my concerns, etc. These were conversations I couldn't have had in Portuguese. Looking back, I wouldn't change much of anything, because we had to do what we had to do in order for my daughter to arrive before my husband had to leave, but I hope to not have to be induced in the future. My nurses, doctor, aftercare, etc. were all phenomenal. Everyone worked hard to make sure that I was as comfortable and cared for as possible, my delivery and recovery rooms were clean, comfortable and state-of-the-art.
Did you find Brasilia to be a pregnant-friendly place? How so?
Most definitely! In the states, you are lucky to find a "mother-to-be" parking spot outside a store and that about ends your maternity benefits. Here in Brazil, there is a preferencial line or "caixa preferencial" in pretty much every type of store or bank, which lets you get fast-tracked through a special checkout line. You can even cut in front of other people, if you are ballsy enough. (I never really was... it's so foreign to me.) During a Carnival event in Brasilia last year, I had to use the bathroom and went and stood at the back of a line of, like, 30 drunk women at a gas station. Within a minute of catching sight of me and my huge baby belly, they all unanimously agreed, and in fact, insisted, that I go to the very front of the line. Amazing! Having a baby with you also gets you preferencial treatment. I still get this VIP treatment at most places when I have Ava with me.
How was the treatment of your newborn by the hospital staff?
Wonderful. Couldn't have been better. They were there to help and checked on me and the baby often, but weren't overbearing, either. They tried to be as respectful as possible of our need for family alone time, but also were there in a jiffy to help with Ava if I was struggling with something or needed some rest. They also sent me home with all kinds of freebies -- for Ava and for me. I still use the baby brush they gave us on her.
If you had assistance with breastfeeding, was is useful?
I did have assistance with breastfeeding that was helpful. I took a childbirth class and a breastfeeding class in the states while I was home at the end of my pregnancy. (I had looked into doing this with my husband in Brasilia, but the only people who offered such a class in English charged an arm and a leg for it, and I didn't get the sense that I'd be learning the same kinds of things that classes in the states offer.) Both of the classes I took in the states had good information about breastfeeding. After Ava was born, I fed her successfully within about an hour to establish a bond and get things going, but I still needed help along the way, in the following days and weeks. My nurses at the hospital were there to help when I became very exasperated with my lack of sleep and a little trouble with our latch. They helped me a great deal to relax physically and mentally. A week later, when I was back at my parents' home where I was staying, I was so engorged that I was in pain, and the hospital's lactation consultant helped me with some tips. She had left me her card and told me to call anytime. She was very accommodating.
Anything else we should know?
If you are going to go back to the states, or even considering it, read the packet on what to do when you are Medevac'd, available from the Health Unit, and contact the nurses in D.C., as you will be instructed to. Study up on what you will need to do to get your baby his or her passport and visa and don't delay on any portion of this stuff if you want to be back with your spouse within six weeks after the baby is born (about the shortest, fastest possible turnover time for all the required documentation to get you both home). Don't be shy about writing "URGENT!" "DIPLOMAT WITH NEWBORN!" and things like that on the outside of the FedEx envelopes that you will have to send in for you baby's passport and visa. The paperwork on maternity medevacs even suggests that you do so. I also emailed and called the people I was sending this stuff to. It helped. I got Ava's passport within maybe five days and the same with the visa. Be pro-active.
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Stacy: Delivery experience at Hospital Brasilia
Q&A with Stacy, who delivered her baby at Hosital Brasilia with Dr Salete Rios. Stacy labored for eight hours with no progress before delivering via Caesarian section.
How do you feel about your birth experience? What would you change and how?
I feel great about my birth experience. I would say it was on par or above the experience I had in the United States. Fortunately for us, Morgan and Phill had already compiled a list of paperwork items that needed to be addressed for our baby, so we didn't muddle through the experience, we knew exactly what to do because of their research and experience.
One thing I would change was my aftercare experience. I did not like that for the aftercare of a c-section, I was prescribed a headache medicine. I found the pain was much more profound and needed more pain relief. My Dra. refused to help, but our Med Unit at the Embassy took care of me when she didn't.
Why did you chose to stay (or go) for your delivery?
I chose to stay here in Brasilia because I did not want to be away from my husband and other baby for the minimum 6 weeks I would have had to, had a chose to give birth in the States.
Why did you chose your doctor/midwife? Were you happy with your choice? Did you feel like you had control over your labor experience?
I chose my doctor, Dra. Salete because of her close location to our house and once I got to know her, I felt very confident in her abilities and felt her love toward our family. I wrote a birth plan out for her and she was bewildered. No one had ever given one to her before. We went through it line by line and she did whatever she could to accomodate me, reminding me that the ultimate decisions would be up to her.
Did you find Brasilia to be a pregnant-friendly place? How so?
Yes I did. Besides all of the other women who were pregnant at the time, I felt like I had a great network of ladies to share with. Brazilian people also adore pregnant women and I was given special attention and consideration whereever I went - the grocery store, the bank, etc.
Describe your labor. Is there anything you would do differently?
I have what is known as cervical stenosis, so every part of me goes into labor, except my cervix, which refuses to open. It happened with both of my deliveries. However badly I wanted to give birth naturally, my body would not cooperate. Dra. Salete knew about my condition, but she also allowed me to labor as long as I wanted as long as the baby and I weren't in danger. When we reached a certain point, hour 8, she suggested that we move towards a c section. In my state of crying as I was wheeled into surgery, she gave me another option to continue labor if I so chose. She was accomodating on every level.
Would you have gone to the hospital sooner? Later?
I went to the hospital when my contractions were 3 minutes apart, figuring there is no way they could force a c section on me at that point. Ends up that they didn't force me, but it was still the only way my baby could be delivered. I would still have gone in at the same time. No reason to sit around the hospital and not be allowed to eat or walk or do whatever I wanted.
How was the treatment of your newborn by the hospital staff?
They treated my new baby beautifully. They also treated me very well. They came in all the time to check on her and me. They bathed her daily.
If you had assistance with breastfeeding, was is useful?
I received a run down in Portuguese on how to do it, by a male nurse, no less. I found his advice very helpful, but my baby was a natural pro.
Thanks for sharing Stacy! I know many women will benefit from hearing about your experience.
How do you feel about your birth experience? What would you change and how?
I feel great about my birth experience. I would say it was on par or above the experience I had in the United States. Fortunately for us, Morgan and Phill had already compiled a list of paperwork items that needed to be addressed for our baby, so we didn't muddle through the experience, we knew exactly what to do because of their research and experience.
One thing I would change was my aftercare experience. I did not like that for the aftercare of a c-section, I was prescribed a headache medicine. I found the pain was much more profound and needed more pain relief. My Dra. refused to help, but our Med Unit at the Embassy took care of me when she didn't.
Why did you chose to stay (or go) for your delivery?
I chose to stay here in Brasilia because I did not want to be away from my husband and other baby for the minimum 6 weeks I would have had to, had a chose to give birth in the States.
Why did you chose your doctor/midwife? Were you happy with your choice? Did you feel like you had control over your labor experience?
I chose my doctor, Dra. Salete because of her close location to our house and once I got to know her, I felt very confident in her abilities and felt her love toward our family. I wrote a birth plan out for her and she was bewildered. No one had ever given one to her before. We went through it line by line and she did whatever she could to accomodate me, reminding me that the ultimate decisions would be up to her.
Did you find Brasilia to be a pregnant-friendly place? How so?
Yes I did. Besides all of the other women who were pregnant at the time, I felt like I had a great network of ladies to share with. Brazilian people also adore pregnant women and I was given special attention and consideration whereever I went - the grocery store, the bank, etc.
Describe your labor. Is there anything you would do differently?
I have what is known as cervical stenosis, so every part of me goes into labor, except my cervix, which refuses to open. It happened with both of my deliveries. However badly I wanted to give birth naturally, my body would not cooperate. Dra. Salete knew about my condition, but she also allowed me to labor as long as I wanted as long as the baby and I weren't in danger. When we reached a certain point, hour 8, she suggested that we move towards a c section. In my state of crying as I was wheeled into surgery, she gave me another option to continue labor if I so chose. She was accomodating on every level.
Would you have gone to the hospital sooner? Later?
I went to the hospital when my contractions were 3 minutes apart, figuring there is no way they could force a c section on me at that point. Ends up that they didn't force me, but it was still the only way my baby could be delivered. I would still have gone in at the same time. No reason to sit around the hospital and not be allowed to eat or walk or do whatever I wanted.
How was the treatment of your newborn by the hospital staff?
They treated my new baby beautifully. They also treated me very well. They came in all the time to check on her and me. They bathed her daily.
If you had assistance with breastfeeding, was is useful?
I received a run down in Portuguese on how to do it, by a male nurse, no less. I found his advice very helpful, but my baby was a natural pro.
Thanks for sharing Stacy! I know many women will benefit from hearing about your experience.
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