There's nothing more daunting than moving to a new city or another country for
that matter, pregnant! Because I was 11 1/2 weeks pregnant with our oldest
when we moved to Berlin in 2000 and because I got my doctor and hospital
through a friend's recommendation, I thought to compile a list of hospitals based
on word-of-mouth for you newcomers. You can think of these names as "bait."
Cast any of the names of these hospitals out there and you'll instantly reel in
reactions; thus, this short list is a good place to start. Good luck and remember,
you're never alone in your pregnancy in Milan! If you seasoned moms would like
to add a hospital or have another experience you'd like me to include, please
please let me, Alexandra, know!

hospital fees

Marsha Plat- mom:
"This list is all about cesareans because I thought I had to schedule one:"

Buzzi (public and private)
delivery and hospital fee: 1.964 euros delivered by doctor on duty with a four day stay for cesarean (for
single room add 570 euros night)
baby care fee: 900 euros
doctor visits: 32 euros call 02-57995476 to schedule


Mangiagalli (public)
delivery and hospital fee: 1.700 euros delivered by doctor on duty with a four day stay for cesarean
baby care fee: 100 euros
doctor visits 32 euros call 02-579950 to schedule


Casa di Cura S.Pio X (private)
hospital fee: ~5.660 euros
doctor's fee: ~4000 euros


public hospitals

Mangiagalli
Via Della Commenda, 12
02/ 5799 2252


Leila Marin- mother of three:
Mangiagalli can be compared to any large, metropolitan hospital as there are an average of 6,000
births every year; obstetricians are reportedly very professional and the over-all care is great. I've
heard varying experiences, but Leila Marin's was a good one and here's what she told me:

Because Mangiagalli is a big, public hospital, you'll want to find a doctor who's really on top of things,
meaning that your doctor knows how to "navigate" Mangiagalli in order for you to receive the best care.
If an epidural is part of your birth plan, make an appointment with an anesthesiologist from Mangiagalli
as you approach your due date. Once meeting the doctor who could assist you, you stand a better
chance of getting an epidural vs. not at all. If you've been seeing rotating OB's at Mangiagalli during
your pre-natal care, you could contact a private OB as well who could assist at your birth; that way,
you're guaranteed a familiar face. In the end, their fee would be more like a "tip" and 300 euros should
suffice.

Santa Catherina is the "private" part of the maternity unit where you can try to get a single room. When
you arrive at the hospital to deliver your baby, have your husband go immediately to the Santa
Catherina section to try to reserve a private room for you. However, there is still no guarantee that you'll
get a room to yourself should someone deliver before you who has also requested the same.
It's worth a try though, but deal with the situation as soon as you arrive. Otherwise, if you stay in the
public part of the hospital, you should be prepared to share a room and this could mean with more than
one person.


Amanda Helleur- mother of twins:
I gave birth at Clinica Mangiagalli October 2005. I found the hospital very thorough yet very clinical, I
saw Dottoressa Sarah Salmona every month for ecografia (ultrasound) as I was having twins, I saw her
half privately also for my general visits to her studio or at the Milan Clinic. I found here to be lovely, very
professional, and she speaks English. I would highly recommend her as an OB/GYN.

As for the care at the hospital, no birthing balls or pools here ha ha, no spiritual side of things, no
pleasantries, everything was clean and ordered. Yet after 2 months stay in the hospital for pregnancy
related problems, not once was I asked how I felt in terms of feelings rather than symptoms, no hand
holding or nurturing whatsoever, in a time when perhaps it is needed. But clinically sound care so that's
something at least. The midwives seem to have little power, unlike in England where a doctor is only
introduced when there is a problem.

I found a super Filippina to come in to the hospital to give a massage during my stay, nobody seemed
to mind me doing this and I would recommend as it was the only nice thing that happened during my time
pre- birth.

After care at the hospital was better, I mean after the birth. I stayed in the public section of the hospital
and I liked the nido, the ladies working there could be either super nice or mean and caustic, depending
on who was working when. The rooms were a bit world war one, yet functional I guess. I got some great
advice on breastfeeding. I had to ask though. I must share one funny thing, after my c section I was in
bed in agony waiting for someone to bring me a drink, two ladies arrived with what I thought was an old
fashioned teapot, hurrah I thought finally. Yet I was very mistaken as they were there to 'clean things up
downstairs' and the big teapot was full of warm water. I got the shock of my life when they whipped back
the sheets, I don't know if this is normal practice elsewhere in the world?

After the birth both of my boys were in Intensive care, this was a very different side of the Mangiagalli.
Excellent in fact; the most care and attention I witnessed anywhere in the hospital.

Deborah Regine:
I gave birth at the Mangiagalli, and was not at all pleased with it -  the prenatal course was booked for
six months before my due date and that was the least of it.  After having chosen the Mangiagallli for its
flexibility (multiple birth positions, birthing stool, wheel, epidural, etc), I was made to stay in the bed on
my back the whole time, which was for over 18 hours of labour.

I had the epidural in for four hours and right when I needed it most, THEY TOOK IT AWAY.  I had to
have an episiotomy, because they decided to literally push the baby out, leaning down on my stomach!
Admittedly, the after birth care in the private wing (Santa Caterina) was good, but expensive.

when you're expecting a baby