If you live here, in the Algarve, and you find out you are pregnant, what is the procedure? Do you go to the Centro do Saude or the Barlavento Hospital.If you dont speak Portuguese and dont have Residencia can you get midwife/antenatal visits or help? Or is it best just to go back to the UK? Any advice appreciated. Muito Obrigada

I'm afraid I can't help you on this though I'm sure others will but I do offer you my congratulations & wish you all the luck for the future

[quote]get midwife/antenatal visits[/quote


This should be on the jokes page!


Go to the Centro de saude and see your family doctor, he'll send you for a blood/urine test to confirm, mine came back after four months (well, it was in 1991!!). You WON'T get any midwife visits or ANY help or advice from ANYONE, and if you DON'T speak the lingo... Sorry to paint such a bleak picture but that's how it is. If you do decide to have the baby here, don't expect any gas and air (there isn't any!), water births or anything other than a traditional on your back, legs in the air birth.

Oh and before you all start on me I've had three here so know what I'm talking about

You've had three here on the forum? Wow!!

Thanks Blue! Hope it will be alright as we lost our first 8 years ago, so this has come as a welcome surprise. We are not getting too excited yet until we see a doctor or get a scan to confirm everythings ok.
Bifas 1st Darling - if I've never been to a Centro do Saude, how do i get a family doctor? Can they arrange a scan to put my mind at ease? Thanks.

Hi Guest. I recently went with someone to help her get a "Cartão de Utente" and register her at the local Centro de Saúde. We were told you now either need residency or a letter from your nearest Freguesia (like parish council) proving you live in the area. The Freguesia in Carvoeiro asked for a copy of the deed of her house in order to do the letter. When we queried the situation at the health centre, as we knew other people had got the card etc without any of this, we were told it was new orders. Not sure of your situation but you might have to consider a private clinic if you can't fulfill the criteria above. Best of luck.

Have to say I'm quite shocked to read that BID!
I'm sorry to say this but that sounds positively antiquated!Are you really saying that there is no antenatal care available for a pregnant woman?..and no gas or air for a woman in labour?
you mention '91(when we arrived )..had a young friend there(she'd been living there for a few years and had her daughter there. She said everyone was very kind in the hospital (Portimao as I recall) but not knowing the language made her feel rather lonely.
She opted to have her second child in UK (just returned there for the birth)..
Guest,I do wish you the best and hope all is well and that all goes well for you..
How about private health care? Is that feasible for you? I feel concerned for your welfare. A woman is entitled to the best of care when pregnant and I sincerely hope that you receive it..
Good luck & God bless,
elliex

It seems there is only one solution for this problem in Portugal!
Don't get pregnant!
DUREX for ever!

It was'n't me now was it?!.......

I did my scans at Dr Pertl in Monte Carvoeiro, along with my monthly appointments, but when I got to hospital with my scans, etc there was a lot of "he's not a proper doctor" crap, I was made to feel as if I'd done something wrong which isn't exactly what you need at that moment!!. Still it didn't put me off!!!

When Oh when will Portugal start to come into the modern world.........
Ans.......When they get a Maggi thatcher in power.......and get rid of all cronies...until then.....they sink more and more..

I'm still sitting here completely astounded, on hearing that there isn't any such a thing as 'ante-natal' care/checkups for pregnant women, and no gas or air available for women in labour, in the 21st century in Algarve!
That you have to go private, for what I would assume, be normal practise in other western european countries?
How come?

I know a few women who have had children here recently (I have attended mum and toddler mornings with mine). You do get ante-natal care and scans here, you don't have to go private. I know many people who say the national health system here is better than that in the UK and certainly looks after your children. If you want to talk to any women who have had any experience here (and they have all said its been fine) then please pm me.

How about biffas first darlings comments about not getting a midwife or any help advice? Are you saying thats wrong?. She also said this should be on the jokes page.

I don't think you actually get a midwife. You do get ante-natal care though and scans.
I am not saying anyone is wrong. I know quite a few mums who've recently had children here, both privately and on the national health. I was just offering you some help and advice from people who have experience.

SB