My Birth Experience at Privatklinik Döbling, Vienna: A Personalized and Comfortable Journey
Giving birth is one of the most profound moments in life, and for me, Privatklinik Döbling, in Vienna provided a warm, family-friendly, and well-equipped environment. From the family room where my partner could stay with me 24/7 to the fully stocked baby essentials available in the room, it truly felt like the best place to welcome our little one into the world. However, like any experience, there were also a few challenges along the way.
A True Family Room: Together from the First Second
One of the most remarkable aspects of my stay was the family room—a private space just for us, where my husband and I could be together from the very moment our baby arrived. The room had twin beds that could be transformed into one big double bed, allowing us to co-sleep and experience the first nights of parenthood together, rather than being separated like in many hospitals. This made a huge difference in how we bonded as a new family.
The room was fully equipped with everything I needed postpartum, which meant I barely had to pack anything. Aside from a pair of pajamas, all essentials were provided:
✅ Maternity pads and toiletries in the bathroom
✅ A fully stocked changing station (“Windelstation”) with diapers, baby clothes, and all necessary baby care items
✅ Midwife support available at all times
Personalized Care: Choosing My Own Medical Team
One of the biggest advantages of giving birth at Privatklinik Döbling was the ability to choose my own doctor, midwife, and even the anesthetist. This was incredibly important to me because I wanted continuity of care—knowing that the people who had guided me through my pregnancy would also be there for my delivery.
Having a trusted medical team made me feel much more at ease, especially since I had a C-section. The experience was not only medically excellent but also emotionally reassuring, as everyone knew my history and preferences.
Postpartum Recovery: Support Every Step of the Way
After giving birth, I received amazing support from midwives, physiotherapists, and lactation consultants, who regularly visited to provide guidance, answer questions, and ensure I was healing properly.
Since I had a C-section, the physiotherapists played a key role in my recovery. They showed me:
🔹 The correct way to stand up, move, and carry my baby without putting strain on my body
🔹 Which movements to avoid and for how long
🔹 A set of postpartum exercises, explained step by step, with a small booklet to continue at home
This level of individualized support helped me feel confident and safe as I adjusted to life after surgery.
Kidney and Hip Ultrasound for Newborns: A Crucial Checkup
One of the biggest advantages of giving birth at Privatklinik Döbling is that they perform the mandatory kidney and hip ultrasound for newborns before discharge. These are required in Austria and recommended in many other countries to detect kidney problems and developmental hip dysplasia (DDH) early, which is critical for proper treatment.
At the time, I wasn’t very familiar with this screening, but it turned out to be extremely important. In our case, the ultrasound showed that my baby’s right hip was not as well developed as the left one. This led to a series of follow-up doctor visits, something I hadn’t expected at all. As a doctor myself, I knew about hip dysplasia, but I never realized how common and serious it can be until it happened to my own child. I’ll share more about our experience and what parents should know in a separate post because this is something every new parent should be aware of.
A Special Gift & Lasting Memories
Before leaving, we received a lovely gift bag with items for the baby, including a soft blanket embroidered with an elephant and the words “Born in Privatklinik Döbling”—a beautiful keepsake of this special moment.
Another highlight was the pediatrician who attended our baby’s birth. He was incredibly kind, answered all our questions, and even became our regular pediatrician after we left the hospital.
The Downsides: What I Wish Had Been Different
If I had to mention a negative aspect, it would be the food. While it wasn’t terrible, it was very hospital-style—plain, a bit repetitive, and not particularly satisfying. On the second day postpartum, when my appetite fully returned, I was absolutely starving, and the meals just didn’t feel like enough. I definitely recommend bringing some extra snacks!
Another challenge I faced was inconsistent breastfeeding advice. Different midwives gave me different recommendations on how often to feed my baby in the first few days, which left me feeling a bit confused. I was encouraged to breastfeed almost continuously, and because of this, I developed painful breast wounds. On top of that, my milk only came in after four days, meaning my baby was getting very little nourishment at first.
By the second night, my baby started crying uncontrollably because she was hungry. I wasn’t initially advised to supplement with formula, and as a new mom flooded with postpartum hormones, it was an incredibly stressful experience—seeing my baby cry and not being able to comfort her properly. Eventually, I called the midwife and asked for a bottle of formula, and the moment my baby had some milk, everything changed—she was calm, content, and finally able to rest. In hindsight, I wish I had been given clearer information and more support in balancing breastfeeding and formula supplementation when needed.
Costs & Important Considerations when giving birth at Privatklinik Döbling, Vienna
One of the most common questions when considering a private clinic for birth is: How much does it cost? In my case, I was fortunate to have private medical insurance with UNIQA, which covered almost all of the expenses. The only thing I had to pay for was the family room, as this cannot be subsidized by insurance. Still, compared to the overall cost of a private birth, my out-of-pocket expenses were relatively low.
A Key Consideration: No Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
One important factor to keep in mind when choosing a private clinic is that most of the time they do not have a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in case of serious complications. While Privatklinik Döbling, is well-equipped for standard newborn care, if the baby requires intensive medical attention, they will need to be transferred to the nearest public hospital. Fortunately, they have strong connections with public hospitals and ensure a smooth and quick transfer process if needed.
For me, this wasn’t a major concern, but it’s definitely something to consider when deciding between a private vs. public birth. If you have a high-risk pregnancy or are expecting complications, a public hospital with a NICU might be the safer option. However, if you have a low-risk pregnancy and prioritize a more private, family-centered experience, a private clinic like Privatklinik Döbling, can be a great choice.
Final Thoughts: Would I choose Privatklinik Döbling again? Absolutely!
Overall, my birth experience at Privatklinik Döbling was incredibly positive. The family room, the ability to choose my medical team, and the high level of postpartum support made me feel comfortable, well cared for, and never alone.
For any expecting parents looking for a private, supportive, and family-friendly birth experience in Vienna, I can highly recommend it. Despite these challenges, I still feel that Privatklinik Döbling was the right choice for me. The family-friendly atmosphere, the comfort of having my partner with me at all times, and the fully stocked baby essentials made a huge difference in my postpartum experience.
Would I choose Privatklinik Döbling again? Absolutely — every birth experience is unique, and while there were some challenges, I’m still grateful for the overall experience of bringing my baby into the world in such a supportive and comfortable setting.
PS: This post is not a sponsored advertisement. I personally covered the costs of my stay at the Döbling Clinic and simply want to share my experience with you.