How is it to give birth in Norway when the father doesn't understand Norwegian!

[juhuuuu]

I'm Norwegian but the father is from Ecuador. He speaks English perfectly, but no Norwegian. I prefer to give birth in Norway so we are going there for the big event, but I'm a bit concerned about how his experience will be in the hospital (Haukeland). Does any of you have any experience with this kind of situation? Are the midwives in general sensitive to the language barrier so he won't end up feeling ignored and left out of the whole thing? Usually I don't have any problem to translate, but it this situation it might be a bit different :-)

 

 

[Kanskje snart? *igang igjen *]

Have no experience yet, tho my hubbie is from the UK..But my experience is that the doctors and nurses speak really good english, so I wouldn' t really worry too much.. I am sure they understand it is a big moment for both and wish for the father to feel included in the experience

[Anonym bruker]

We were very lucky as the midwwife was English. She translated for my husband.

[gingerangel]

My "samboer" is Scottish and had our first child almost four tears ago. As long as the birth kind followd the "plan" everything went OK, but then I had to have a "hastekeisersnitt" and I think the medical staff kind of forgot him not speaking Norwegian at the time, so he really didn´t have a clue what was going on. But the worst was probably afterwards when I was rolled out to "observasjonsposten" and he was suddenly all alone, wih a baby in the "barselavdeling" and he went to get some food as the birth took a long time, and was literally thrown out because the food was ONLY for the mothers(!)

[2trollunger]

My husband is English-speaking, but that was no problem at all! The first thing I said as I wattled into the hospital was that we wanted a midwife that spoke English! You'll be fine!

[Chunky81]

It went pretty well with us. We gave birth at Haukeland and my husband is English speaking. The midwife we had was really good (we also meet with doctors before and they all spoke English).

Not a problem at all... )

 

[TrengerEnVenn]

Hei Chiqui..

 

Im from philippines and my norwegean language is not perfect and im still struggling with my speaking. I gave birth in Trondheim hospital last May 2007. My experience was just perfect. I wrote in my "request list" that i request the doctors and midwife to communicate with me in english. I need alot of concentration to speak norwegean and that time i didnt have alot of that.

My husband is a norwegean, but all the midwifes and doctors spoke english to me. No problem. They are all kind and respectful people. I am sure all other hospitals in other places of norway are thesame. I am blessed i gave birth in norway and my child was born here.

I think going here back in NOrway for you to give birth is a wise idea. No better place to be a mother than in norway. Goodluck :-)

[isa3]

hey

 

Im german and when i was giving birth to "oldest" 3 years ago couldnt i speak a word norwegian,but the people in the hospital didnt make that a problem. everything went very well. I guess the most nurses and middwifes speak english.

 

dont worry to much

[binky]

Hello!

I think it'll be fine. My husband is Slovakian.. and I did the same as you, coming to Norway to give birth.

I think most people spoke English with him until they found I speak Norwegian(I don't look Norwegian btw). But you can always remind them to switch to English, they'll respect that or they SHOULD...

Good luck with your delivery!!

[Astorm]

I gave birth at Kvinneklinikken in Bergen, and I brought a wishlist with me where my first request was that we got an english speaking midwife, so I wouldn´t have to stress about translating during labour.

And they were great, after the midwives shift change we got a great midwife who spoke more english to us than norwegian, and she was such a great help and a brilliant person. Couldn´t have done it witout her!

[nybebis]

You'll be fine! We've had two kids and my husband was there both times. It's no probelm at all!

[Ladypau]

I don't see a problem at all..I would be more concern if the one giving birth didn't speak Norwegian (my case!)