Ok, I know a lot of you have children or are having. I was wondering, hoping, that maybe you could send some tips our way! It would be lovely to hear some of your experiences as well!
It is hard at times going through this on the other side of the world while everyone I know and love is so far away, but I know it can be done!
Thank God for the internet!
I'd like to know particularly anything I should ask my doctor or be aware of, because the medical system here is so different! Plus good memories/experiences to give me the boost? Sound good? Post Away please!

Kumara - all blessings, far to late in the day for me to give you info. (our son is now 37) just relax and let nature take its course...

GG

Thanks GG! That's exactly what my OBGYN keeps telling me! I am a worrier, what can I say!
Cheers!

If you feel the need take vitamin and mineral supplements. Use common sense around alcohol - the occassional glass is not going to hurt. Ditto with most foods. Sleep lots, I remember, even after all these years, going to bed at 9pm latest - I was just so exhausted. Then in the 2nd trimester I had bags of energy... could keep on working like the energiser bunny and the sex life improved! We stopped penetrative sex about a month before AJ was due, didn't want to wake him up! Afterwards I have to confess sex was the last thing on my mind for several months... but a foot massage or a back rub - oh wow yes please. Remeber we are each of us unique individuals you just go with the flow of what works for you. A friend of ours had a baby 5 weeks ago and is carrying on like basically nothing happened! Others will have different needs.

Come on Topless and Foggy post!

Congrats Kumara!

Every pregnancy is different, even in the same person, so do whatever feels right for you at the time. If you're tired, take a nap. If you feel like crying, cry. (Just warn hubby in advance that your emotions may be all wacky.) I remember Vorbis being panicked to come home from work and find me bawling my eyes out and unable to explain why. Also, if you're horny, go for it (while you still have the time and energy)!

i can remember her being almost insatiably horny in her second trimester.....something to look forward to.

Sorry for the late post, I just found this topic.

I'm so excited for you Kumara and hubby! Just take the time to enjoy everything about your pregnancy. Sit and relax with your hands clasped together over the baby, feel and imagine what he/she will look like, their movements. I really enjoyed being pregnant.

There is so much to learn and figure out about having kids. Start researching now how you want your birth experience to go. I know you said that they had a pretty good health care system over there, so I'm assuming you are having alternative medicine used on you, such as accupuncture and chiropractic. Those were wonderful.

You can never have too much information and not waiting until the last minute to decide what you want for you and your baby will help ease your tensions and worries.

I know Foggy went the birth at home in a tub route as we did the similar, except in a birthing center. I found hypnobirthing classes to be very centering and helpful in easing my fears concerning pain management and learning more about what my body was going to go through. That and trusting in your body and your medical advisor is essential.

Some things to consider in researching about now so that you are more prepared: drugs/no drugs; where do you want to have the baby; what medical "treatments" are you willing to have done to the baby and which ones are you not (circumsicision, vit K, ect); cloth diaper, disposables, diaper free; feelings concerning vaccination ect.

These are just a few things to think about. Not meaning to burnden you more considering you have lots of things to get ready for, but I felt that knowledge was power in helping to feel "ready" for the baby, emotionally as well as physically. You will always worry about the decisions you will make and all the if's, but feeling confident in your ability to know what is best for your baby will help significantly.

Best wishes on your wonderful journey. Please feel free to contact me personally if you want any detailed info on anything as I have researched lots of things in conjuncture to our pregnancy, birth, and raising of our child. I would be happy to point you in the direction of some useful information.

Miranda

Congratulations Kumara!!!

quote:

i can remember her being almost insatiably horny in her second trimester.....something to look forward to.

I was like that, from the start of my 2nd trimester right the way through!!! I would regularly waken J up in the middle of the night begging for it.

Just like everyong else on here, I would say that every pregnancy is different, every woman is different. You just have to go with it and your instincts. If you are anxious or worried about anything pester the doctor/midwife until you are have a satisfactory answer/solution.

Having said that the best advice I got was to ignore all the advice you get and do your own thing!

Best wishes, Gx

Thanks guys for the great advice so far! One of my friends here from Canada asked me about my Birth Plan on the weekend. Her mom is a Midwife in Canada and she grew up knowing all about birthing and babies. I replied that I didn't have a clue! So she's asking her Mom loads of questions and getting her to send me some information!
I have a lot of concerns here, but so far my doctor has been lovely! I had food poisoning Friday, Koreans eat a lot of side dishes made with fermented vegetables and they don't usually refrigerate them. Hubby ate the same meal and was fine, I ended up at my OBGYN's office with an IV or 2 plugged in my arm for a day. She stayed with me and tried her best to talk, she is such a good OBGYN, but she won't perform the delivery, so I'm not sure what to do!
I know I want skin to skin contact after birth, baby on my stomach as the cord is cut. I want to breast feed after birth ASAP, and they very often do not allow EITHER of those here, so we have to be strict. I want my husband to hold the baby, and the baby to be with us in the room, also not commonly allowed here! I know one foreign dad who lost out to his MIL and the Doctors, he wasn't allowed to hold his new daughter for a WEEK! A lot of Korean women stay in special hospitals for a month after birth! They aren't allowed to shower or have a full bath, some sponging is ok. They eat seaweed soup 3 times a day and are always kept in rooms that are around 30 degrees Celsius. There is great fear that otherwise they will not recover. Most Korean days barely see their child for the first month or 3, because the Mom and baby often go home to their parents home for care as well! We really don't have to worry about that, but a lot of the attitudes are worrisome! One Korean friend was very tired, she had her son 6 mths ago, only took 1 month leave. She went to a doctor of Chinese medicine, he told her the problem was BREASTFEEDING! He said it was better for her to stop and give the baby formula, and that formula was better than breastmilk! He said if she tried it for 2 months and didn't agree, she could start again! I was shocked!
*sigh* I believe knowledge is key, I feel much better knowing what is happening with my body and my baby. Guess I have a lot to start thinking about! Anymore comments, experiences, please share! Cheers!

quote:

One Korean friend was very tired, she had her son 6 mths ago, only took 1 month leave. She went to a doctor of Chinese medicine, he told her the problem was BREASTFEEDING! He said it was better for her to stop and give the baby formula, and that formula was better than breastmilk! He said if she tried it for 2 months and didn't agree, she could start again! I was shocked!
*sigh* I believe knowledge is key, I feel much better knowing what is happening with my body and my baby. Guess I have a lot to start thinking about! Anymore comments, experiences, please share! Cheers!

Can you say pay off from the formula companies? That's very worrisome especially since a doctor of Chinese medicine is supposed to be more naturalistic and read the cues from the body.

Do people in Korea practice Elimination Communication (EC)? I have been doing this with our little one since she was 4 months old. It's basically getting to know the baby's cues and understanding their need to communicate thier need to eliminate and providing them the appropriate receptical do do so. She is 1 1/2 and can use the toilet pretty consistently, wears trainers/pullups during the day. The biggest thing is that she isn't afraid of using the toilet like typical toddlers are when they begin potty training. I think it's awesome and I know other countries practice it more freely than the US does because we are so damned dependent on the diaper/formula/medical companies.

Definately stick to your guns on the things you want and don't back down for anyone. Make sure your hubby and friends who will be there to support you are also on the same track so that they can advocate for your wants/needs if you are not in the right mind. If I were going to give birth in a hospital, as long as the baby was healthy, I would not let the baby out of my or hubby's sight.

You'll do great. Believe in your body and the fact that women do/have done this naturally for millions of years without the help of medical interventions or formula or diapers, ect. I'm glad that we have medical interventions for those who truly need it, but I think we need to get back to the basics as much as possible. Just my feelings!

I'm getting ready to go see a movie next week called the Business of Being Born based on a book called "Pushed". I'll let you know how it is and maybe you could get your hands on a copy.

Take care of yourself!
Miranda

quote:

One Korean friend was very tired, she had her son 6 mths ago, only took 1 month leave. She went to a doctor of Chinese medicine, he told her the problem was BREASTFEEDING! He said it was better for her to stop and give the baby formula, and that formula was better than breastmilk! He said if she tried it for 2 months and didn't agree, she could start again! I was shocked!

is it possible the traditional doctor is a Taoist? Conservation of Chi for healing is very important, and the Tao has some negative connotations when it comes to those outside of self.

just seems more in tune. although the industries collusional conspiracy could be as well.

just pointing out an observation.

Cheers and All the very best Kumara!
Nigel.

My account has been deleted!

Congratulations! I had a baby 2 months ago and my pregnancy was spent in Eastern Europe (no internet, no tv, sex was the only thing we had!) where the healthcare was far different to the US or UK.

I took vitamins, rested up and drank loads of water. I followed the usual no blue cheese etc.

As far as a birth plan goes if you have a real problem with epidurals etc then say. Other than that go with the flow. I had a plan with my first but you don't know how it's going to be. I didn't bother this time around, we just played it by ear.

I breastfed my first for 15 months and I'm feeding the new chap myself. It's so much easier and you do get your figure back a lot quicker. But it can be very tiring if you are going back to work quickly.

Had food poisoning again on Thursday.
Abdominal pain and vomiting. not fun. Worst part was the big local hospital where I'm supposed to deliver didn't have an OBGYN to consult with, so I was in the ER for 3 hours on a plain IV because they didn't know what drugs they could give a vomiting, in-pain pregnant woman! Hubby begged them to let us go at 10am when my OBGYN's office opened and we went straight to her, with me vomiting all over myself in the car ride. Ugh. Within an hour of IV and drugs, pain ceased, vomiting ceased and I was able to sleep. So now I wonder what will happen when a 9 months pregnant woman in labour show up at the hospital! Not reassuring at all!

Not sure about Taoism here, they are Buddhist and a Confucius based society in general.But Formula companies are huge in Asia, if you've ever read about what is happening with them in the Philippines, it's a disgrace!

I'd read about EC before, we are debating trying it out, it sounds like a good way to go, but a bit of work in the beginning. Well worth it I think though. We do want to try Baby signing, has anyone here done it? I know 2 families who did it successfully here, and we really think it will be worth doing!
How was the movie? Worth trying to find? Downloading is our usual option here for Foreign films!
Other than that, baby was very modest at the last scan and kept those legs tightly crossed! 1 more week to the next scan, hopefully our future porn star will show the goods! Cheers all!