This general hospital on the Isola Tiberina in the heart of Rome is considered the place for maternity care, which is why many labouring mums fail to gain admission. There is a cramped but efficient gynaecology and obstetrics outpatient clinic on the ground floor, which also performs ultrasound scans and foetal monitoring services during the final weeks of pregnancy. However, be aware that the use of antenatal services at the hospital does not guarantee access to a delivery room when the time comes; the maternity ward is almost always full to capacity and many women are turned away. The hospital runs antenatal courses for expecting parents as well as organising a monthly programme of one-off lectures on newborn care, post-natal depression, pain relief during labour and other aspects of childbirth and parenthood. The hospital is linked to Ospedale S. Pietro Fatebenefratelli on Via Cassia, which is popular particularly with expectant mums living in the north of Rome.
Laura Clarke
Contact Details:
Via di Ponte Quattro capi, 39, 00186 Roma / +39 06 68371/ www.fatebenefratelli-isolatiberina.it
My gynaegologist is based at the Fatebenefratelli on the Isola Tiberina and I saw her probably once a month during pregnancy, in addition to having certain diagnostic tests and one foetal monitoring at the hospital. I also attended several of the free lectures on childbirth and parenthood, which were excellent. However, when I went into labour the maternity ward was full and I had to choose between allowing the hospital to find an alternative on my behalf – but without having any say in where I would end up – or leaving under my own steam and trying to find somewhere else myself. I decided to find my own alternative and ended up at S. Camillo Forlannini, a general hospital on the Gianicolense whose staff have a deserved reputation for brusqueness but where the post-natal care is very good. (Laura Clarke)