Welcome to the ExpatMauritius.com Blog

There are many facets of expatriate life that come as a total surprise. It is easy for outsiders to get the wrong idea about expatriate life: a perception that combines romanticism and leisure, adventure and pleasure, a better life, a hope, a future. It is seen as a privileged lifestyle and envied by those who stay behind. These qualities may, in some way or another, be present in the expatriate lifestyle, but with them also come the sacrifices, discipline, energy, focus, determination, self-discipline and connectedness that enable you to keep yourself together. Share your thoughts on this blog...

If you would like to suggest a topic, please mail us on admin@expatmauritius.com.

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Having a baby in Mauritius.

This can be quite a scary thought, particularly if you are new to the island. Please share your experiences and/or tips.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Mauritius seems to be the place to fall pregnant!

My first child I had here in Mauritius in 2006 along with about 6 of my friends who were all pregnant together. My second child I had at the end of last year(2008) and again there were several of my mates pregnant together(some are still pregnant).

I was fortunate in that my pregnancy both times was completely normal. I had 2 different gynaes who were both excellent and had trained abroad. A gynae is a very personal thing but when I speak to the other moms here, most of them seem to have found one that suits them so no worries there...

Antenatal classes, particularly in English, are a bit of a challenge to find. I did have a fantastic yoga teacher who I met with twice a week at our local gym.

Finding baby clothes, early food and nappies is easy! Specific formulas may be a challenge but there is quite a good range available. Also there are one or 2 excellent (but expensive)baby specialist shops where you can buy prams, cots, bottles, pumps etc etc in fact all the baby clobber you will ever need...

The only thing that I was a bit disappointed by was that there was not a facility that I was aware of for a water birth. In other countries, active birthing centers are everywhere but here in Mauritius, this is not the case. The clinic I was in both times was excellent. I have heard of a few other clinics that are also absolutely fine.

I understand that if your child is premature( ie less than 34 weeks), they have to be admitted to a hospital called Candos as they have the neonatal facilities necessary. On that note, I use 2 paeds and one has neonatal training. Also both have trained abroad.

There are a number of baby/toddler clubs that are formed by the moms in their particular neighborhoods. I found this very good support, especially for the first few months.

Anonymous said...

I think Mauritius is a wonderful place to have a child. I have had two lovely healthy happy children here. Most of your support comes from friends and if you are lucky a good nanny. Of course being in a small community there are a few things we miss,for example good breastfeeding advice. Clinic Darne is lovely, the nurses go out of their way to be helpful, with most of them speaking english.

Anonymous said...

I had my 2nd child late last year in Mauritius and was so nervous as I had my first child in SA. My gynae whom I absolutely adore was the reason I fell pregnant so quickly in the first place after having been treated abroad and was told that I would battle to conceive and was advised to have a hysterectomy. The gynae was so effecient in his treatment and left no stone unturned to ensure that I delivered a healthy baby. The clinic where he works from was not the most attractive, Bon Pasteur, but I have to say that the care I received was unbelievable. From the minute my husband and I walked into the clinic until we left we were treated as VIPS. My son was ill at birth and together with the nursing staff and Paed he received such special attention and was brought back to health very quickly. I must admit that speaking french was an advantage but the staff were well versed in English which is such a bonus when you are desperate to get information. Compared to my birthing experience in SA I have to say that delivering in Mauritius knocked the socks off SA (and I loved my first delivery in SA - both births were C-Section). My only down side is that I felt quite isolated in the hospital as I had very few visitors (generally people don't like to drive further than 10km's due to the single lanes and traffic), but apart from that I would do it again. Can't believe I said I would do it again as I am dead certain I do not want another child but based on the experience from falling pregnant to birth it was a breeze (healthcare wise). We are fortunate that the community is so small and that ordinarily you wouldn't be pregnant alone, there is always someone to walk through the process with you. Lastly, what an amazing place to raise children - truly a blessing.

Anonymous said...

Can you pls recommend a gynac I have been looking for one and expecting soon

Anonymous said...

I would like to know if any of you tried to store the placenta/ cord blood after birth. If yes which clinics / docs etc would do it and if you could reccomend some names.

Kelly Reed said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Kelly Reed said...

There is water birth available at Clinique du Bon Pasteur in Beau Bassin now. There is also a new NICU at Apollo Bramwell if you happen to deliver early.

Anonymous said...

Has anyone had to deal with citizen and visa issues after the birth of their child?

Unknown said...

Hallo my wife and I will be staying in black river for a month and would like to now that is the closes baby clinic to us, I have a 2 year old son

Thanks
Bernard