My husband and I are expecting our second child (the first to be born in CH) in June. We have basic insurance and have attended the Informationabends at both Triemli and Universitatspital. In the next week or two, we need to decide on one. I'm leaning toward Triemli, based on anecdotal evidence from friends. If anyone can offer further input/experiences, I'd be most grateful! (p.s. Although my first pregnancy resulted in an emergency C-section, we are hoping for a natural childbirth -- i.e. minimal interventions -- if at all possible this time around.)
my friend gave birth at Triemli over 1 year ago. they were very nice but the mid-wife had a break or there was a change of shift, and they were stuck without any help for a few hours, which caused her quite a bit of pain. with someone with experience, she could have shifted her position and the pain could have been avoided.
This is not specificially about birthing, but I would just like to add that I found many Doctors and workers at Unispital to be useless.
The xray tech did not properly affix the gonadal protection. When I complained, the head surgeon defended the tech, with some bizzare theory of bouncing xrays. Finally when the Resident drew him a picture to explain I was right, the head surgeon just said: Well it's such a small dose of radiation, it really doesn't matter.
Really grinds my gears!
Best of luck with the delivery and the new addition for you and your husband!
I gave birth to my first baby at Triemli hospital nearly 3 weeks ago and I thought the hospital and staff were amazing. Unfortunately there is a change of shift of staff every 8 hours which meant for me 3 different midwives but all 3 of them were so supportive and took looks of time to explain everything to me in detail. (all in English too).
I was offered a warm bath when I first arrived which was the best pain relief I had in days and would highly recommend it. It is probably possible to have a waterbirth if you wanted. When i first arrived they took all my details and asked at the time what my birthing preferences were so i am sure you can let them know exactly what you would like at this time. I let them know i was wanting a natural birth but open to pain relief including gas& air and an epidural. I ended up having a c-section although all the doctors and midwives were very good at explaining my options. (perhaps they were a little persuasive in the c-section but for me at the time it seemed like the best option).
The days following the birth in hospital were also very good with English speaking staff assigned to me and all my questions answered and lots and lots of help with breastfeeding 24hrs.
My wife had our baby in Triemli nearly 3 years ago and it was fine. We also had a change of midwife but that could be good for a long birthing session. Fresh eyes and ears and all that.
They also have a first class childrens hospital there just in case it's needed.
hello, I also was debating between the two and chose triemli. Everyone was really nice, I also had 3 midwives! I do think they sometimes can end up pushing for a c section as have heard from a few others that they ended up having one. I kept insisting I did not want one and was adamamt so in the end they got the head doc and he delivered my baby so if you do choose Triemli try your hardest to insist on naural! Good luck!
I was recommended Unispital by my OB simply because they can handle more complicated cases. I havnt visited either trimli or unispital but on the phone i found it easier to converse with Uni as they were more forthcoming with info in English.
Do any of these hospitals conduct information-evenings in English?
I gave birth at Unispital and all in all couldn't fault them... although I did end up with a c-section due to 'failure to progress' and baby becoming very badly positioned during labour despite my best efforts. Their op theatre is brand spanking new. I did however have access to gas&air, birthing pool and homeopathy, accupuncture and other alternative therapies if I chose. The midwives were very supportive of my natural birth wishes and supporting my position with the docs (until the docs just wouldn't wait any longer..) and ditto for the midwife shift changes - I had 4 or 5 in total.
I found the midwives and doctors (all english speaking in my case) were wonderful (except for one rather gruff, rough and over-stressed anaesthetist with a thing or two to learn about bedside manner who we promptly complained about and got the head guy instead - the kindest most compassionate doc I have ever met). The nurses on the ward afterwards were mostly lovely (except for one rather matronly but well meaning night nurse) and all spoke english. Excellent breastfeeding support (it's a UNICEF certified ' baby friendly hospital ' as is Triemli)
The public postnatal ward is not the most modern in decor (70s?), and with 3 beds to a room could get crowded if busy, but while I was there they always kept the middle bed empty. Everything is in the same building though (the tower part of the Frauenklinik) with great views , so if you are separated from your baby for any reasonm e.g. if the baby needs neonatal care, you don't have to leave the building to visit, you can just pop down in the lift.
I can't comment on Triemli but have also heard good things. What made my decision in the end was pure logistics - Triemli is across the other side of town for me, whereas unispital is just down the road.
The info evening we went to at Unispital was only in German, but they also run an antenatal weekend course in english which is excellent, run by Francine Lüthi - a lactaction consultant and senior midwife there, and includes a tour. But of course this is not free.
Thanks Jot, your input is much appreciated. I will attend the info evening next week...in German, but have been assured that I can ask questions in English and they will do their best. Will enquire about Frau Luthi and the classes as well as the tour.
I had a good experience in USZ last September. In my opinion how the birth goes is determined by the midwives assigned to you on the day. I had someone who had just finished their training who was 'supervised'. There was nothing wrong with her but there was nothing that great about her either. I got through the first stages by sitting in a bath and not much advice. Thankfully when the shift changed I had a fabulous midwife and I couldn't fault them.
The birthing rooms were very spacious and well equipped althought as far as I know not all the rooms have a pool which you may want even if you don't actually give birth in it and those rooms are also smaller. You could request one when you phone to tell them you're in labour or as you arrive.
The wards are rather outdated but the nurses were very attentive.
The day before yesterday (2nd March) there was an article in the Tagi with the head of the Maternite at the Triemlispital. Due to lack of space/staff they have already had to turn down 20 cases since January and redirect them to other hospitals. You need to read the whole article, because from what I can gather you might find yourself having chosen Triemli and even so being sent elsewhere. Before you make a final decision you might need to check that you really will be there when you give birth.
My due date is next week, and my doctor had registered me to give birth at Triemli back in March. Here's a little pre-birth information I wish I had known earlier that I would like to share with any other expectant mothers, just in case somebody finds it helpful.
After your doctor registers you at Triemli, you should receive a packet of information in the mail that includes very important forms (registration, required documents, doctor contact information, photo release, room upgrade, registration with the city office), plus very helpful information regarding making a pre-birth appointment with a midwife at Triemli about six weeks before your due date to discuss your medical history and wishes for birth, the number to call when you think you are in labor, hospital policies, and arranging for post-birth midwife visits at home.
I never received this mailing, but fortunately had a friend who had given birth at Triemli who shared her experiences. This inspired me to call Triemli to ask about the packet and the midwife appointment. If I had not known, I would have accepted the word of my doctor and the people I spoke with at Triemli who just advised that I keep waiting for the packet to come in the mail. The baby would have arrived before the packet, and I would have had lost the opportunity to fill out the required forms, learn about hospital procedures, and meet with the midwife before the birth, in a much calmer state.
It sounds like I just slipped through the cracks (not a complaint, it can happen to anyone), but I hope this information helps another mom-to-be stay ahead of things with regard to birth preparation. We have plenty enough to think about!
Thanks bwhoover for this advice. I'm 16 weeks pregnant today and really am green about procedures for the birthing requirements in CH. I will get on it.
Triemli is superb! They've got a mix of fluffy homeopathic stuff and meds, so can appease you whichever way you lean. All the midwives and ob/gyns were lovely and respected my birth plan. It's quite far from me but worth the distance.
Oh, and everyone but one midwife spoke excellent English.
I had my last scan with them when I was around 28 weeks pregnant, the baby was in breech position, and the doctor already hinted me to think about planned c section.
I was shocked as it is too early and what I have read babies turn till the last minute, so I agree with the feeling that they push for a c section . Not sure if this is due to the fact they like to have their agendas booked in advance.
But other than that I find them (trimeli) quite helpful and informative so far.
I know someone who had an external version done by Dr passweg in triemli. if you are interested in avoiding a c section, you might want to look into it.
I recently gave birth at Triemli. I chose Triemli because I wanted a natural birth if possible after my first child was born by unplanned c-section and my doctor (not at Triemli) advised me that Triemli would be supportive of this decision. At 38 weeks, I was rushed into the hospital with bleeding and the staff there were excellent. Believe me, I saw a lot of shift changeovers during the 40-hour labour that followed! Happily, with their help, I succeeded with a natural delivery this time. I also found the after-care on the ward very good.