Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Birth and parenting classes for expectant parents are
held independently by
sages-femmes
and also at many
hospitals. Hôpital Notre-Dame de Bon Secours at 66 rue des
Plantes, Paris 75014 conducts a
sophrologie
programme
of relaxation, including Yoga and Lamaze techniques (tel:
01.40.52.41.48). The English-speaking hospitals provide
prenatal and childbirth care as well.
All births must be registered within three days at your
mairie
. The hospital provides the forms and information.
New parents should ask for a copy of
La Naissance à Paris
.
All births should also be registered immediately at your
own embassy.
Pharmacies
Pharmacies display a green neon cross outside; the cross
is lit when the shop is open. Pharmacies carry only
health products such as prescription and over-the-counter
homeopathic remedies, skin preparations, suntan lotions,
tooth brushes and healthy cosmetics; beauty and skin
products are widely available at department stores and
supermarkets, often at better prices.
To fill a prescription under French health insurance, hand
the
ordonnance
(prescription) that your physician has given
you to the pharmacist.
Pharmacists are highly trained and extremely
knowledgeable about medication, of which there are many,
since French physicians tend to medicate heavily. Generic
equivalents are used and the pharmacist may ask whether
you will accept a generic equivalent, which is less expensive
and most often equally effective. If you have doubts about a
particular product, ask your doctor. Without any prescription
though, you can discuss your symptoms (cold, flu, headache,
etc.) with the pharmacist, who may recommend non-
prescription remedies.
The pharmacy in each neighourhood should display a
poster (
placard
) indicating the nearest night and Sunday
pharmacy (
pharmacie de garde
). The local
commissariat
will
also indicate doctors on call and open pharmacies. The
pharmacies listed below have English-speaking personnel
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