New to SA, need advice for PTA area

Hi, I am not in the PTA area at all, but I am an Expat. I am on a forum called the Nest and we have an International board. It is mostly American Ladies living in other countries, some for 6 months some for a life time, it varies. If you ever feel you need support for being homesick, trying to understand another culture, etc please come on over and say hi to us - here is a link - community.thenest.com/cs/ks/forums/4110127/ShowForum.aspx

(Please don't misunderstand me, Moomie is lovely and very friendly, the other forum is a different style one for a different reason. I like to visit both)

I had my baby at Femina Clinic in Pretoria. My gynae was very supportive of a natural / vaginal birth. He is also the back up gynae for the midwives at Femina Active Birth Unit who have facilities for waterbirth. I had a emergency c-section post dates for very valid reasons, but he was prepared to let me go to 10 - 14 days overdue as we weren't sure of my due date. The other bonus is that Femina Clinic has all private rooms in the hospital and the nurses are helpful and leave you alone if you ask them to - I asked them to only come when I called for them and they listened to me. I was also in the hospital at 30 weeks with an early labour scare and they looked after me very nicely.

I have heard not such wonderful things about PTA East hospital lately, which is why we decided against it.

My gynae has rooms at Femina. Dr Paul Swart. I always had my appointment on Friday afternoons at 4:15 - his latest - so my hubby could come with me.

I have heard many people (doctors included) say that they prefer Kloof hospital over PTA east hospital. Unfortunately I can't recomend a sepecific DR as I stay in Centurion.

Hope you feel at home soon!!

and welcome to moomie, do not hesitate to ask lots of questions, everyone here is really friendly!!

Oh, and please join us on the TTC thread when you start trying for your next LO.

Hi and welcome to SA

I live in Cape Town but what I can suggest is contacting the Doula association in SA WOMBS, they will be able to point you in the right direction and should know where your best "Pro natural" Dr's and hospitals are. www.wombs.org.za/

tymicelle, how old are your boys? We have a nice group of ladies that meet around the Pretoria Area.

Shout if you need any advise on anything!

Hi and welcome to SA!
Yip, they say a lot of Dr's are c-section pro, but there are Dr's who will do natural.

Pretoria East has some excellent Dr's who will allow natural.

I use Dr Joubert. No issues with natural birth. Also Dr Trauw, Dr Pantazis.

Unfortunately I had emergency c-sec at 33 weeks with my son, but Pta East Hospital is one of best in Gauteng. All the staff from Doctors, to Nurses, even cleaning staff were wonderful and caring!