America 2010

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Ultrasound Photos

Here are the latest ultrasound photos: The ones on the left are it's face looking out, the top right is the circumference of it's head and the bottom right one is it's whole leg and foot. If you read the little writing on each picture the EDD is the estimated date of arrival based on measurements. Everything was measuring in the 22nd week. Today I am 23 weeks!

:)

In case I didn't have enough skirts, I made one :P I've had this fabric for a year, but lost my motivation for sewing stretch skirts until I saw my SIL had made a bubble one. I thought that was the perfect solution to trying to make a normal hem. I then decided it was a good idea to make one now, because I can wear it now and later.

I made this yesterday and was so pleased with the results. I had to alter the pattern (1. because I didn't have enough fabric 2. I am not as small as my SIL :P), so I was scared that it would be too tiny when I was finished, but thankfully it's just perfect! (IMHO).

Week 22 Update

40 inches at the belly button...not sure what that means, but I thought it might be kind of fun to take a few pictures with my measuring tape.
My favorite pregnancy photo so far. On the last day of winter! Spring is here!!!

I went to the doctor today and all is good! The hubby filmed the whole ultrasound, but I won't share it here because of the bare belly :P He also filmed when she turned the screen away to check the gender! I haven't looked at the film (don't plan to). He has been troubled the whole afternoon trying to figure out what he saw and compare it with other clips on the internet.

Since 20 weeks I have been feeling the baby and I think at 21.5 weeks I could feel it with my hand on the stomach. 2 nights ago the hubby felt it for the first time. THAT was exciting!

Baby goes to Germany

We went to visit some friends for the weekend. We stayed with another young couple who have a 1 year old girl. Saturday we drove an hour to meet another couple. The boys went and worked out and the girls went to a baby shower! I think it was the first shower for most (if not all) the ladies. I had a lovely time! I was mad at myself, because I forgot to take the camera on Saturday!

I had the hubby take a few pics of me in the evening, because I love this outfit! The skirt and t-shirt are maternity and the jacket is normal (as you can see :P).

Our 'carrot' is 21 weeks...

Today I am 21 weeks and babyfit.com says that the baby is the length of a carrot (10.5"). I have gained about 10 pounds. That number scares me, but it seems to be be just perfectly average.

I attempted some timed photos, but I have the most awful expressions in them, hence the beheaded photo.

My latest exciting purchase is show below. I bought a Babylonia wrap from the Belgian version of Craigslist. I was thrilled. It was new, in-the-box, with the original price of 60 euros on it. I paid 15. The woman's baby was born premature and had to wear a monitor, so it didn't work with this. Mine is turquoise.

http://www.babylonia.be/product_manual/Tricot-slen_eng.LR.pdf Instructions on the 6 ways to wear it.

Birthing in 'Europe'

I figure I should do a post like this on my regular blog also :P

Belgium ≠ Europe.

Europe is a CONTINENT with 27 countries in the EU alone and 50 all together. So when I talk about baby stuff here, it's not in regards to all of Europe. Even the neighboring countries have very different policies. For example, "With 30 percent of all births taking place at home The Netherlands boasts the highest rate of home births in the world. In Britain home births account for 2 percent of total births, in Belgium this figure is closer to 1 percent. Similarly 99 percent of births in the United States take place in a hospital environment."

In answer to a question on here, Every 4 weeks (at some point 2) I visit a gynaecologist that is connected with the hospital where I will give birth, but has an off-campus office. Many midwives work at the hospital, so the one we met with this week was to do a basic checkup (since I had appointment only 2 weeks ago) and provide practical information over what classes the hospital offers and where I can receive help or information.

*In case* anyone is worried or concerned (or ignorant like the US border guard who asked, "Do they know how to deliver babies there???") about my giving birth there, feel free to stop. I do not have a problem saying that I am glad to be giving birth here instead of America for medical, financial and postnatal care reasons.

Medically I do not have any worries. I have regular appointments and access to any help I need. I will give birth in the hospital with doctors, nurses, midwives, anaesthetists, etc

Financially we are covered. I think I pay about 10 euro/appointment and insurance will pay for nearly everything for the birth. The other 'insurace' pays for pre-birth classes, midwife home visits after the birth, a part of household help, plus more. The government pays over 1,000 euros per birth and then an amount every month until the child is like 25! Each city gives about 100/birth.

Postnatal Care-The normal hospital stay is 5 days or 7 for a ceasarean. I find this good! I am happy that I will have proper care and people to help me work with the issues I come up with and show me how to take care of myself and the baby. The first week or two home I will have home visits from medical professionals to ask questions and get advice. Included in this care, I can pay a bit to have someone come to help cook, watch the baby, clean, etc, so I can recover.

http://brussels.angloinfo.com/countries/belgium/birth.asp