Who to blame - Sanitas or Hospiten?

Amanda and I are expecting our first baby in December (the 9th to be exact!). We're both very excited and everything is going well - or it was until a few days ago! Don't panic, the baby's fine! We took out private insurance with Sanitas about year and a half ago, largely because we were trying for a baby and wanted to have insurance. We've been going to Hospiten in Estepona, as we know a few friends that have had their babies there and they seem happy with it. The appointments and scans have been good, you need to hang around a bit for you slot, but that's no issue. So, back to the story... on Sunday a friend of ours called us to tell us that Hospiten were no longer taking clients from Sanitas as of November 9th. Naturally we thought this couldn't be as simple and surely they'd let those pregnant women, who had been seeing the Dr's there, continue until the birth - so gradually phasing it out. But no! That's it! So now we (well Amanda!) is giving birth in about 7 weeks and we don't know which hospital we can go to. It sems incredible that this can happen and it's difficult to know whose fault this is, whether it's Hospiten's or Sanitas', I'm sure they'll blame each other! the options seem to be to go to USP in Marbella, or use the Costa del Sol Hospital. While I'm sure both are fine, it's crazy that at 7 months pregnant we should have to change all our plans and be left in the lurch like this.

English language Antenatal classes on the coast

Are you looking to prepare yourselves to give birth & become parents here in Spain? Would you like the experience to be the best one possible?

Having spent over 20 years working as a midwife in Dublin, London, Australia and the Middle East, Anne Halpenny uses her experience to provide Antenatal classes in English, on the Costa del Sol. Her local experience includes workng at St Bernard’s in Gibraltar and the Hospital Costa del Sol, since 1999. During the courses, 4 evening classes, you will hear about and be able to discuss honest, non-biased and factual informaton that will help you make decisions and achieve all you wish for.
Anne says: “The clases have been very successful, with people’s feedback including ‘informal, interactive and extremely informative’ and ‘helpful, essential and non-patronising’.

Continued support until the birth, is part of Anne’s service. Post-natal advice and home visits (as in the UK) can also be arranged after your baby has arrived.

To make enquiries please go to www.annehalpenny.awardspace.com
Email annehalpenny@ireland.com
Tel: 630 231 037

Website for mums in Spain gets it's new look!

MumsinSpain recently launched its new-look site! Visitors will be able to access a wide range of information, from birth experiences in Spanish hospitals, articles related to pregnancy and tips on raising a child in Spain. There’s a comprehensive A-Z Directory (from Obstetricians to Childcare) and perhaps most importantly, the opportunity to get advice from other mums living all over the country via their forum. This popular forum is where mums can continue to share experiences and recommendations, as well as make new friends in their area.

MumsinSpain is also a great supporter of Mums in Business, with a dedicated section containing helpful articles and inspirational success stories, as well as a network where "mumpreneurs" can register for free. "There are a great many mums in Spain who look to set up their own businesses. Spain offers much in the way of opportunity and we already have members who have met through the forum who have gone on to set up their own companies together" says Claire Ogier, founder of MumsinSpain. “Being a Mum is the most rewarding job I have ever had, but it is also extremely hard work, tiring and at times lonely. Many of us find ourselves far away from the support system we may have had if we were still living in our own country. I hope that MumsinSpain will, in some small way, help to fill that gap".

http://www.mumsinspain.com/