Hospital and Doctors in St. Barth

[kafic]

Hello!
I would like to know of women who had a baby or who know someone who had a baby in St. Barth, how was the experience? I saw on the internet that there is only one gynecologist on the island, is that right? For those who know, is he a good doctor? I'm worried that there's only one doctor ready to make a deliver. I would be very grateful if anyone could clarify me on this subject.

Also, for those with thyroid problems, I have not found any endocrinologists on the internet, can you tell me if there are any doctors who specialize in thyroid problems on the island? Sorry to be so specific but this are very important factors that I need to know before going there. I hope someone here could help me with this doubts.


Thank you very much!

 

[didier]

not sure when the last baby was born here, but its been a long time........perhaps not since the 1980's. if you go into labor, you take a plane to st. martin.

 

[andynap]

not sure when the last baby was born here, but its been a long time........perhaps not since the 1980's. if you go into labor, you take a plane to st. martin.

So if you are in labor there's enough time to go to the airport, buy a ticket if there's room, get on the plane, fly to SXM and get to the hospital? So no one on the island knows how to deliver a baby?

 

[KevinS]

As I understand it, it's common for pregnant women to move to St Martin prior to their due date, and to either stay with family or rent an apartment. The no-babies-born-on-St-Barth thing is a French government thing, supposedly due to the capabilities of the hospital, not a St Barth thing. As Diana noted, there hasn't been a planned delivery on St Barth in decades. My recollection is that there have been a very few unplanned deliveries in that time.

 

[elgreaux]

Many women also go to France, if that's where their families are located, or even Guadeloupe, and leave 2 to 3 weeks before their due date as mentioned. I am sure there are doctors and nurses at the hospital who could deliver a baby in an emergency but as there is no neo-natal unit there its hard if there are any difficulties with the birth, for mother or baby...

I do not think there is an endocrinologist on the island, maybe one visits from St Martin or Guadeloupe. As do a few other specialists...

 

[andynap]

I understand all that. I was talking about a woman in labor. I don't know what the original poster had in mind but as a tourist and pregnant the above suggestions may not apply. Ellen you gave the answer as to why it's not a regular thing.

 

[KevinS]

I was just reminded of a thread from about 4 years back, which tells of Peter and Sandra's son Noah's birth:

https://www.sbhonline.com/forums/showthread.php/76899

 

[stbartshopper]

The 'local' women/families we know who have raised their children on the island have generally delivered their babies in Guadeloupe. They all speak highly of the hospital there. I don't believe one can always leave the island quickly as planes are often full and the airport shuts down at night. We know of local internists and other doctors who treat for ailments such as respiratory infections, cuts and bruises, and maybe some broken bones but as we understand it, anything more serious is treated elsewhere such as St. Maarten, Guadeloupe, the U.S. or Europe. I don't know how an imminent birth or premature labor would be handled on the island as the medical facilities are not set up for that kind of healthcare- pre and post birth.

 

[didier]

So if you are in labor there's enough time to go to the airport, buy a ticket if there's room, get on the plane, fly to SXM and get to the hospital? So no one on the island knows how to deliver a baby?

if you are indeed in labor, it would be considered an emergency and even at night they would open the airport and fly you to st. martin. why would anyone come to the island if their due date is close?

 

[andynap]

if you are indeed in labor, it would be considered an emergency and even at night they would open the airport and fly you to st. martin. why would anyone come to the island if their due date is close?

They probably wouldn't but an early pregnancy with endocrine problems might cause a premature birth and I'm guessing that's why the original post. The end result is don't come.

 

[kafic]

Thanks a lot for your answers!
It made things more clear for me!