Medicine in Turkey for foreigners, pregnancy and childbirth in Antalya, hospitals in Turkey and doctors' competence
The most important things about childbirth in Turkey, Turkish hospitals, preparing for childbirth and postpartum rehabilitation at sea. Why do our people come here during pregnancy and choose to give birth in Antalya? What is the state of the hospitals? How comfortable are the Turkish hospitals and what are the costs of giving birth in them?
We decided to speak to an expert on the subject - a birth assistant and perinatal psychologist for pregnancy, childbirth and postnatal recovery - Kristina Hasrovi.
Medicine in Turkey. Childbirth in Antalya. Kristina's story
Talking about medicine in Turkey, we asked Kristina about her experiences in preparation for childbirth, birthing and postpartum. Here is what she told us:
- I come from Uzbekistan for myself, I gave birth to three children there, but I would like to say that the system continues to this day as in the post-Soviet space.
It so happened that we had three girls in our family, but we purposefully wanted a boy, so we had a period when, after moving to Antalya, we did go for the birth of our 4th and 5th child.
That is, the fourth person in the family was once again a girl, well the fifth one was finally a boy!
So, it turned out that I had my fourth child very easily at the age of 38.
The whole pregnancy went much easier, simpler and more enjoyable. I think it was due to the fresh air, by the sea, in a nice relaxed Antalya atmosphere.
Kristina was swimming in the sea until the last days, she was walking along the promenade, and all the time she felt like it was just a magical pregnancy.
She didn't have any swelling, no bad signs, no toxicosis, i.e. no such complications at all!
During her pregnancy, Kristina wanted to continue exercising: walking, swimming, gymnastics, so that she wouldn't gain weight and have an easy birth.
Kristina also realized that she needs to encourage mothers from other countries to come here and give birth, because it is normal to spend two or three months here, in a resort atmosphere and in a pleasant environment.
Turkey, after all, is not only open to the flow of ordinary tourists, but is also open to medical tours!
Doctors and clinics are constantly upgrading and following the trends that are introduced in Europe, and in addition the medicine itself in Turkey is developing at a high level. If we compare with our clinics in CIS countries, we can say that Turkish doctors are more sincere and go towards the wishes of women in childbirth.
Competence of Turkish doctors
Firstly, in Antalya there is a lot of competition amongst both private and public clinics, with many professors.
And you can go to any doctor, at any level, for any request, either a female doctor or a male one.
And there are doctors who have been educated somewhere in Europe. That's how they position themselves, by showing their diplomas.
Every private clinic has a doctor, and there are ratings, there are reviews, there is word of mouth, you can study the history of each doctor and choose the most suitable one.
Public and private hospitals in Turkey. Main difference
Public hospitals in Turkey, as well as private hospitals, keep up to date by attracting highly qualified doctors. They are also equipped with modern equipment, but in private hospitals it is newer and more advanced.
A significant difference between private and state clinics is in the price of treatment.
That is, if childbirth and treatment are absolutely free for Turkish citizens, or at a minimal cost partially covered by insurance.
But for foreigners, both treatment and births will have to be paid for, even in public hospitals!
But apart from that, public hospitals often have trainee birth attendants, who take some kind of training seminars. What many women in labour do not like is that it is not the doctor who gives birth, but a practical trainee.
And the attitude to childbirth in state clinics is closer to our CIS attitude of doctors, maternity wives, it is a little harsh, not quite as heartfelt. And a lot of things are forbidden. The presence of the father at the birth, for example, they have their own strict rules.
But in a private clinic you are your own mistress. A private clinic can be compared to an all-inclusive five-star hotel! It is very convenient and comfortable!
And everything you want: a swimming pool, a shower, a separate room, a partner, a friend, a sister, a husband, a doula. Well, everyone is there for you!
Health insurance in Turkey. Does insurance cover the cost of childbirth?
Most of the time, people flying to Turkey have a travel insurance that only covers emergencies.
In private and public hospitals, it does not cover pregnancy, because pregnancy is not an accident!
But if a person has some kind of business in Turkey, i.e. they come here, start their own business, pay the SGK insurance as a foreigner and the state fee, then the SGK insurance will therefore partially cover treatment and childbirth for this person!
Childbirth in Turkey. What documents need to be brought from home?
Many women who come to give birth in Antalya are worried about whether they need to bring their medical history with them. Should you take documents or translations from your health centre with you to Turkey?
Kristina, a doula and perinatal psychologist and childbirth assistant in Antalya, tells us:
- Lately, there is a trend that mums don't visit hospitals at all, don't go for ultrasounds, don't get any tests, don't get vaccinations, that is the trend of natural childbirth.
And that is why such women like to give birth in Turkey - doctors do not ask for accompanying documents and tests.
That is, if a woman needs to find out for herself the condition of her body inside, what missing micronutrients she or the future child would need, then we, accordingly, check this condition.
And if you don't need it, you don't have to go and ask or be interested. Vaccinations are also recommended by doctors, but it is the woman's choice, both during pregnancy and after birth. So they don't insist on it here.
We can write a statement at birth that the baby will not be vaccinated, and no vaccinations will be given!
Can we find a doctor, talk about birth scenarios, how the woman would like to give birth? Respectively, then choose a clinic, doctors, and if, say, there were any difficulties during pregnancy, it is desirable to have the whole history with you, so the doctor can understand what happened, how, why, and for what reason? There are, for example, IVF, there are possibilities of hormonal intervention, it is all better to know the doctor.
And translation can be done here on the spot, with an interpreter, when you meet the doctor.
And as for obligations, there is none of that here, because, according to Kristina Hasrovi, giving birth here is easy, gentle, magical, because there is no tension, no need for exchange cards and so on.
Where and how can a baby be registered after birth?
If parents are planning to have a baby here in Antalya, it is advisable to get in the queue at the consulate with the application for the baby's documents in advance. Because the only delay in timing is due to the waiting list.
It is advisable to arrive two months before the birth of the child, to apply for the metric at the consulate immediately, and, accordingly, to receive it already after the birth.
In Turkey, they give a certificate that the baby was born in a particular hospital, indicating the names of the parents and the documents with which the mother was entered into childbirth. The same documents will be used to issue a certificate of childbirth and the child's birth certificate can be easily obtained on the basis of this certificate.
Birthing costs in Antalya
Here in the Commonwealth of Independent States, it is customary to always thank the doctors and midwives and all those involved in the birth.
This is not the case here, but everyone with our mentality still wants to thank them sincerely.
In terms of cost, if you calculate how much work was done: the service of the clinic itself, the services of a doctor, nurses, medicines if necessary, it is difficult to understand why the cost of childbirth is so low: from 200 to 1000 dollars, depending on the hospital.
And this choice, of course, depends on the desire of the woman in childbirth. It is possible to choose all conditions, like Cleopatra in a bathtub, in a dark home environment, in a dark room with meditative music or in a bright room in the presence of doctors.
And the birthing mother herself goes through all the stages calmly, easily, as if she were at home!
Who is a doula and what does she do?
Many people confuse a Doula with a midwife, which of course is wrong. Doulas are educated, they have a certificate, they have master classes from other renowned Doulas. And they are constantly upgrading their qualifications, working on it.
But, the most important quality is to be calm, to be able to help the mother in childbirth, to concentrate properly, to focus on your body, to breathe properly, to fulfill all the desires of women during childbirth, to create a harmonious, calm environment, the same music, the same candles and to be able to give a soothing massage.
Doulas also help the woman after the birth with all sorts of practices and help with the baby. They also mediate between the doctor and the woman in childbirth. They listen to the opinion of both doctors and women in childbirth.
Thank you to maternity assistant and perinatal pregnancy, birth and postpartum psychologist Kristina Hasrovi for gathering information.
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