Reality
Maternity care in the hospitals is of a very good standard.  In the community, it is non-existent.  Having your baby on the Social (NHS), the care varies from area to area.  You may see a midwife occasionally and a doctor even less.  Private care by a gynaecologist will be on a monthly basis.

Scans
Social – On average, three scans during pregnancy
Private – Monthly

Birth Preparation Classes
Social – Depending which centre you belong, but in Spanish only
Private – Not at all

Labour & Delivery
Social – Your choice, Candalaria or Hospiten Sur
Private – Your choice, dependent if you want an epidural or not

Pain Relief
Horror stories surround this subject from no pain relief, to having to go to the north if you want an epidural.  And before you ask, Gas and Air does not exist here at all.  So where do you go from here?…DON’T PANIC!
*Epidurals are available in the north both socially and privately.  In the south at Hospiten Sur, the service is a bit haphazard.  It is hoped that in the near future they will be more readily available.
*Pethadine is available although it is not always given.
This is all that is available in the hospitals, though there is a lot you can do yourself.
By attending Birth Preparation Classes, you can be better prepared for the big day.  Knowing what to expect can take much of the fear out of the event.  Attending these with your partner helps them to help you during labour.
Yoga classes during pregnancy are individually designed to each stage of your pregnancy, helping you to gain flexibility, strength and tone.  Yoga also helps with posture, breathing and relaxation.
RefleXology helps to relax the body and mind during pregnancy and is also used to encourage labour.  This must always be done by an experienced and well qualified RefleXologist.
Osteopathy and Acupuncture can be used to relieve the aches and pains of pregnancy, constipation, indigestion and heartburn.  It has been reported helpful in reducing morning sickness.  Acupuncture can also be used to encourage a baby to adopt the normal “head down” position for labour and also a useful tool for pain relief.
Tens Machine is not yet accepted in the hospitals here, but no reason why you could not use it in the early stages of labour at home.
After delivery, following a very short stay in hospital, you are on your own.  Apart from Paediatric visits, there is no support network.
We at Perfect Health can provide you with the support network you need.  Our services include everything mentioned in this article, with the addition of a family care service after you have had your baby.
Contact Perfect Health on 922 719 625

(Taken from the article at Tenerife News)