Hi. My husband has been offered a 2-year job assignment in Poznan. We're American citizens and my husband would be working with the Polish military. The one thing I'm concerned about is having our next child there. What would it be like for an English-only speaker to deliver a child there? How is the medical care? Would I be able to communicate with the doctors? I've heard that most people over 40 don't speak English; this is the age group I would expect most doctors to fall in, so I'm a bit worried. Any insight would be appreciated. Thanks!
MTA... seriously... dont worry about it... youll be well looked after... and i would have thought the company your husband will work for would supply additional private health cover too...
much of poland's health care system is respectable... especially dentists... brits go over to have treatment because its faster, cheaper and better than over here
Because as we all know us Enlish have the worst teef (mine are knackered) in Europe. Must be the tanins off the tea and all the warm brown ale we drink:)
Have a baby in Poland great idea then he/she has loadsa nationalities to choose from. Lucky child an EU and American passport. Surely the military will pay al costs. Is your husband military or civilian?
MTA there is very good private health care systems in place in Poland if you think you will need it, but there public system is great, i have had no problems heading to the doctors, the only good thing about private is you can see the same doctor all the time and the waiting time is short.
Don't be afraid to have your baby here in Poland. Poznań is one of the biggest Polish cities and the level of health care is really high, modern equipment, well-educated staff. However be prepared to pay for higher standard, especially family labour (?) if you want to have your husband with you. It 's also a good idea to find a nurse working in this hospital who will assist you and you could phone even at night and tell her to come to hospital because you're in labour. The only problem is doctors' and nurses' attitude towards patients who treat women (how to say that?) routine? That's why it's good to settle certain things before labour. If you are afraid of language problems it's also a good idea to find a doctor who works in a hospital and has a private surgery and knows English. You will know your doctor before going to hospital and will have psychological comfort, all doubts will be explained before. In Poznan there are several hospitals so you can visit them and see their standard and choose the best one. Ask about everything!
I am a US citizen giving birth in Poland in around April, and i would not reccomend it. You have many extra costs and unfriendly doctors. The pregnancy has been very stressful, and I would not reccomend it to anyone. The service and comfort level will not be the same in a Polish hospital, unless you are willing to pay a lot of money. Then you still have to figure out who and how much you need to pay, since no one exactly knows.
I gave birth in US hospital. It was really cool, friendly, smiling doctors, nurses, making jokes and you forget about the pain. The baby was with me in the same room, sleeping with me, nurses always checking up on you, giving the baby a bath every night, good food, excellent care, just really cool!!
In Poland they also provide good care but their attitude is different. They take everything more seriously but you should be fine. You're not the first woman in Poland to give birth, so if you have a good hospital you will be OK. Many women give birth at home with the aid of a mid-wife so don't worry too much. Poland has good medical equipment. Good Luck!
hi how are you getting on in poland about giving birth do they ask you for your ni number and how do you get the birth cirtificate for the baby after the baby is born and ho do you get the baby a passport to take the baby back to the uk if you dont live in poland but end up having a baby in poland what injections do the baby need before leaving poland and while the baby is there do you know any information will help
it depends where you'll be. i had my 2 daughters at zelazna hospital in warsaw and it was one (two )of the best experiences in my life. midwife and the doctor could speak very good english , so my partner knew what's going on (i'm polish). 2 weeks before childbirth i met my midwife to prepare the birth plan. also, i was having water childbirth with my second daughter.
Don't worry about the doctors - they are young and they can speak english, if someone is old, you can always find a young one (the private meeting). Don't bother about only-english speaker child cuz it will learn Polish 2-way speaking children is the best what you can get in live. Poland is not a wild area. It is simple and well-organized country, I think so and you will judge this by yourself.
Thanks for the responses. We're still waiting on final words as to whether or not we're actually going to Poland -- hopefully we'll know in a couple of months. Obviously the language barrier (on our part, as typical monolingual Americans) is the thing of most concern. We'll do our best to learn, but we'll probably have limited time. (MTA's husband)
Generally, this is something best sorted out with the help of the English-speaking doctor who will be assigned to provide first-stop health care to military personnel.
There will be cultural differences but not insurmountable ones. Poland can feel very foreign but, with preparation and help, misunderstandings can be avoided and risk minimized.
Having said that, my hospitalization at a top Warsaw hospital was made much more unpleasant due to a lack of elementary care. Before you ask, I'm not going to talk about it except to say that it was the sort of thing you wouldn't wish on your worst enemy and I do sometimes scream in my sleep ...
it depends where you'll be. i had my 2 daughters at zelazna hospital in warsaw and it was one (two :) )of the best experiences in my life. midwife and the doctor could speak very good english , so my partner knew what's going on (i'm polish). 2 weeks before childbirth i met my midwife to prepare the birth plan. also, i was having water childbirth with my second daughter.
if you are getting military or some kind of private assistance, you have nothing to worry about. There are stories about births that may worry you, but they happen only in public places (which I escaped, giving birth to my son in the UK). If I were you, I'd focus on your birth plan as some things are routine here and may not be in the US, and the other way round.
It should be all right, don't worry. All the best.
I had my baby in Poland (Warsaw Inflanska) - first child... didn't speak Polish too well at the time, it was all fine though - apart from the appendix I had to have out 4 days later and lying in another hospital and not being able to see my baby. Oh and I did not understand that the sticthes needed to be removed (thought they were dissolvable) So a month later back to the hospital I went to get them out. None of the Drs etc spoke English... but apart from the stitches it was not a problem... I was in too much pain to care and afterwards too exhilerated by the birth of my darling.....
Don't worry, you will be able to choose private health care and I bet will be cheap for you, and you can find english - speaking doctor before. Having a baby it is something natural everywhere.
I am also going to give a birth in Warsaw, but my husband and I still haven't decided yet in which hospital to give a birth. I am looking for english or russian speaking doctor. Could you please name the doctor form St. Sophia Hospital?
