Sharing birth experience

Three weeks ago I gave birth at the Puri Cinere Hospital. I would like to dedicate this letter to the people who were of tremendous help to me during my pregnancy in Jakarta.

Being pregnant with my first child and having had an operation, during the sixth month of my pregnancy, here in Jakarta, I haven't had an easy pregnancy at all. Regardless of all the health problems that have occurred during that time, I always had faith in the medical staff and always stood by my decision to give birth in Jakarta, despite the different opinions within the expatriate community. Subsequently, having had a lot to do with the doctors and nurses here I feel the local care has been excellent.

I was very nervous during my pregnancy and scared of having a baby and becoming a mother. The main thing I wanted during the birth was to have a good midwife and a doctor who wouldn't dictate how everything was going to be. Instead, he should care and let me be part of the decision making process with regards to how I felt and what I think would be the most comfortable situation for me.

Two weeks before my due date, my initial doctor of choice unexpectedly resigned from Puri Cinere hospital. This left us with the inevitable choice of either finding a new doctor at Puri Cinere or going with my original doctor to Pondok Indah. I wanted to stick with Puri Cinere since I felt it could provide more personal care, in a more intimate environment, with no administrative rules against my wishes in having my husband and chosen midwife with me during the delivery process. Prior to my child's birth I saw my new doctor twice and felt comfortable and confident.

I would like to thank Puri Cinere hospital for its great service and I would particularly like to thank Dr. Winahyo for a safe delivery and Sister G. Saifuddin for her infinite patience in providing me with the strength and courage I needed and the nursing staff who were responsive and able to communicate in English with me.

ARIANE FERGUSON

Jakarta