Barcelona Mum

Sue Behan - Midwife and Health Visitor

Sue Behan is a Madrid based midwife and health vistor. Sue offers home visits during pregnancy and after the birth of a baby as well as general advice on any issues from parents to be for example common pregnancy aliments, optimal fetal positioning, relaxation and breathing techniques, perineal massage, signs of labor and when to attend hospital, breast feeding information etc
(+34) 628604425 suebehan@live.co.uk

Comments
"I thought many of the mums will be happy to know about Sue and the kind of services she is offering. If like me you have met with some of the unhelpful 'matronas' it is great to know that there are other options!" (AL)

Click here to read an interview with Sue

Recommended by Anne Lennon

Home Birthing - Midwife and Obsterician

Midwife Graciela Maria Perez Lopez and Obsterician Dr Emilio Santos Leal run a clinic at the Centro Urdimbre, Gaztambide 59, 6ºiz, Madrid 28015 http://doctorsantos.com (+34) 915447971

Comments:
"Graciela was a wonderful midwife - I felt very safe and trusted her completely. She's calm and caring, very experienced and speaks perfect English." (KW)

To read Kirsty´s story regarding a home birth in Madrid, please click here

Recommended by Kirsty Wildgoose

Yolanda Caballero - Doula

Yolanda trained as a midwife and nurse in the UK lived in UK 10 years where I studied nursing and later on midwifery. She then went on to train as a Doula in Madrid specializing in antenatal yoga and breastfeeding techniques.
tf: 654069121 angula45@hotmail.com

Comments
"Thanks to my Doula I had the birth that I wanted. It was natural and very special.The thought Of giving birth for the first time (just turned 40), in a country (Spain) that I did not grow up in made me feel very nervous. I was also set on wanting it natural (if possible).  From the first day of our meeting it was the start of a lovely relationship.
We met on several occasions to cover all aspects of pregnancy, giving birth and breastfeeding. I anticipated our meeting with great excitment.
At the hospital I felt truly reassured and supported by my Doula. Whilst there I used the Gym ball, walked around the hospital and tried various yoga positions, just to name a few. She was also my voice when I was not in a position to do so. The result was a very speical birth.
But our relationship did not end there. My doula visited me at home to assist me with breastfeeding and any concerns that I might have at the time. I welcomed her arrival with open arms" (SL)

Recommended by Sylvia Lopez

Dr José Espinosa

Dr José Espinosa works at the Quiron hospital and comes highly recommended for his support for natural birthing options. He also speaks English.
Calle de Diego de Velázquez 1 28223 Somosaguas, Pozuelo de Alarcón 902 151 016  www.quiron.es

Comments:
"Dr. Espinosa believes in natural medicine and for example has prescribed homeopathic medicine for me that helped me to dilate up to 4cm! at home without contractions and without noticing it (and I am a first time mother!) They didn’t do the episiotomy enema, or shave me. They have a multi-position birthing stool which allows you to give birth in a squatting position or on all fours.When I gave birth (in January 2008) they didn’t have birthing pools but they hope to. I received personalized friendly treatment from Dr Espinosa. He gave me his email address and answered all (lots of them)of my  queries very quickly. They generally don´t have any problems with doulas being present during the whole delivery process, but you need to ask beforehand. Both, Montse Cob and Elena from www.city-yoga.com, have already worked there. Both doulas speak English and Elena even speaks German" (BB)

Click here to read an interview with Dr Espinosa (in Spanish)

Recommended by Brigitte Biehlemail

Gynecologist Ana Suarez

Ana Suarez in a gynecologist who trained in the UK and speaks perfect English
Clinica Betancor 917302684

Comments:
"I chose Ana Suarez because she spoke English. I spoke no Spanish on arrival and I felt I didn’t want to have any misunderstanding when it came to the most important medical moment of my life. Shes a wonderful lady who was educated at Kings and so speaks perfect English. By the time I got pregnant I’d known her for a couple of years so I was happy for her to tell me what to do. I would thoroughly recommend her." (LH)

Recommended by Lucy Hales

Dr Oscar Martinez Perez

This doctor is the head of  the Gynecology and obstetrics department and speaks English. 
Sanitas Hospital de la Zarzuela, Calle Pleyades nº 25, Aravaca. 916136988. 
 

Recommended by Joy Mackie

Dr. Marcos Ordenes

 Dr Ordenes works in the mornings at : Hospital Ruber Internacional 91-387-5149/91-387-5131/2/3 www.ruberinternacional.es
and in the afternoons: C/ Orense, 6, – A-4 28020 Madrid 91-555-8844
 

Regina Cardenas

Calle Viriato 73  28003 Madrid Telf. 914413322
and
José Abascal 33 Piso Bajo-Pta B  28003 Madrid (Madrid)

Comments:
“The only gynaecologist in Madrid that I know delivers babies the most natural way possible. She has special delivery rooms  in CLINICA LA MILAGROSA and now also at CLINICA BELEN. The only thing is that she charges an extra fee (even if you have private insurance) of two thousnad euros,  perhaps now it is more...” (SB)

Recommended by Saskia Bostelmann

Montse Cob - Doula

Montse Cob lived several years in the US and speaks perfect English. She is a doula and runs all of the pregnancy yoga, preparation, etc classes at City Yoga. She works with a woman named Elena who also speaks very good English.
http://www.doulas.es/directorio/mad-2.html
 

Recommended by Saskia Bostelmann