Are you planning a childbirth in England? Ms Katarzyna decided to be born in the UK. She says that she feels safe thanks to excellent medical and social care. Find out about childbirth in an English hospital, how long is maternity leave in the UK and what benefits you can receive for raising a child.
In my case,childbirth in Englandwas planned. Together with my partner Zaf, we really wanted a baby. I got pregnant pretty quickly, four months after I stopped taking the contraceptive pill. Unfortunately, I had a miscarriage. I don't know the exact cause, but the doctor said the fetus died in the seventh week of pregnancy. I was advised to wait around six months before trying to conceive a baby, but as we had no precautionary measures, I got pregnant after just three months.
My emotions were mixed because I was afraid that I would have a miscarriage again. So I didn't tell anyone anything. I wanted to wait with the news of my pregnancy until the greatest risk of miscarriage was over, which is the twelfth week. When that time finally came, I was very happy because the worst was behind me. I felt that I would be a mother. In England it is accepted that although the pregnancy test is positive, you do not go to the doctor that quickly. So I had my first visit to Poland, because I was on vacation.
Pregnancy in England is conducted by a midwife
After returning to England, I made an appointment with my home doctor, the so-called GP, who referred me to a midwife. In England, it is the midwife, not the gynecologist, who deals with the pregnancy. In the 16th week I was referred to the hospital for the first ultrasound examination. The second ultrasound, according to English standards, was performed at the end of the fifth month of pregnancy. It was then that I found out that I would give birth to a girl. I have not had any more ultrasound examinations, because here the doctors say that two are enough. The second ultrasound calmed me down a lot, because - despite the fact that it was already the 20th week of pregnancy - I did not feel the baby's movements at all. So when I saw on the monitor that everything was fine, I breathed a sigh.
Women in the UK are actively pregnant
I didn't feel the movements of the little one until a month later, in the 24th week. I was very happy because it was as if I had established a deeper contact with my daughter. From then on, I felt movements regularly, usually lateevening hours. My pregnancy was uneventful and I had a good time. I didn't have morning sickness, heartburn, sore back or any other ailments typical of this condition. Only at the end of the 33rd week my legs started to ache. They were also slightly swollen, but that may have been because I was working a lot while standing. I must admit that I had a fairly active lifestyle: work, swimming pool, frequent walks. I highly recommend it, because exercise helps to bear the hardships of pregnancy. Of course, everything in moderation!
Caesarean section in the British Isles
Childbirth was a big surprise for me because it started three weeks too early. My water broke during the night, so I called the hospital where I was supposed to give birth. I was ordered to report to the ward. I didn't think it was because I didn't have any pains. Meanwhile, after connecting me to the KTG, a device that monitors the child's heart rate, it turned out that the child's pulse was missing. The midwife called the doctor for a consultation. After twenty minutes of observation, the doctor made a decision about caesarean section. From then on, everything happened very quickly. A friend was with me during the operation because my man panicked and preferred to wait outside. I got anesthesia in my spine and things sped up even more from then on. Already fifteen minutes after I was put on the operating table, I heard my baby cry. Soon the midwife showed me a baby girl. She was lovely. And so tiny! Then she was taken for examination for a while. Kayra was he althy, but very small. She weighed only two kilograms! The first time I held it in my arms, it seemed to weigh even less. Anyway, even if it weighed more, for me it was still my little crumb. When I hugged her for the first time, it was probably the greatest moment of my life.
Postpartum medical care
Later, when I was lying in the room after the surgery, I got a baby girl to feed. She started to suck on my breast, it was an amazing feeling. I left the hospital after a few days. I felt safe because the midwife would come to our house every other day. She advised and showed how to look after the baby. When Kayra was one month old, the midwife came to us once a week, and since she was two months old, I go with her to the he alth center for consultations. Such visits take place once a month.
How long is maternity leave in England?
I am currently on 45-week maternity leave. I used it because I was en titled to it, just like most mothers living in Great Britain. The first nine weeks are paid 100 percent, and the remaining 36 weeks are paidan allowance which is roughly half my salary. Besides, I get the so-called child benefit (around £ 20 a week). I have also applied for a child tax credit, an allowance for people raising a child, the granting of which depends on the amount of earnings. In the 25th week of pregnancy, each expectant mother receives 190 pounds of pregnancy allowance - this amount is enough to buy a baby layette. Comparing the situation of young mothers in Poland and England, I can say that it is much better in Great Britain. That is why I am very happy that my daughter was born there.
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