Watch the pregnant lady grow

In this post, we will show the progression of Sarah's pregnancy with profile photos taken roughly every two weeks.

March 1

March 15

April 3

April 17

May 1

May 16

June 2

June 18

July 1

July 15

August 1

August 21

September 2

September 15
(If anybody is reading this post, this could be the last picture of Sarah pregnant that you will see!)

Swiss doctors

I think that Swiss doctors are very dedicated and seem to be on call at all times. My doctor has been on holiday this past week so I saw another doctor for my checkup last Monday. When I had seen my regular doctor two Mondays ago, she said that she would see me on the due date (this Wednesday), but we didn't set a time. Since she was away all last week, I figured I would call her tomorrow (Monday) to schedule the Wednesday appointment. Well, she called ME on a Sunday afternoon to schedule the appointment herself! We are both kind of surprised that she called on the weekend. But unlike my sister's doctor who didn't attend the birth of her daughter because it was a Sunday, I know that my doctor will be at the delivery - no matter when it happens. She has told me so. Pretty comforting, hmm?

Miscellaneous Swiss baby info

We have learned a couple of new things about having a baby in Switzerland:

1. When you have a child, your employer has to give you an extra amount in your salary each month (about $200). If you and your spouse are both employed, only 1 employer is required to pay it; this extra money lasts until your child is 18.

2. We will get a one-time 'gift' from the government when the child is born of approximately $800.

3. Health insurance really does seem to cover everything relating to having a baby - I recently heard from a woman that the hospital bill after her child was in the ICU for months amounted to over $100,000 - insurance covered it all.

Moral of the story - it's good to have a child in Switzerland: they seem to promote it! (But they don't necessarily promote marriage before having children - people wait until having a child to get married because a couple with no kids pays a lot more tax.)

Turning Baby

A week ago Thursday, we found out that Baby had not decided to turn on its head. So after an agonizing day, we decided to try an external version - basically, a manual turning of the baby by a doctor putting his/her hands on my abdomen and moving the baby around.

Our appointment was for this last Thursday (the 19th) for this procedure. We arrived at the hospital around 7:20 in the morning. It took a while to get into the room and settled. They monitored the baby’s heartbeat and me for contractions and then gave me a drug through a drip to relax my uterus. But then there was a delay – the doctor (not my regular dr. but one with experience in this procedure) had to deliver a baby in another room. So we had to wait. Eventually the doctor came back with another doctor. He did the procedure, and, all told, we think the whole turn lasted less than a minute and a half. He made it look so easy that Stephen thinks he could have done it! He just put a couple of fingers from both hands low on my abdomen, on the baby’s bottom. Then he pushed and turned, and when it was about halfway around, he cupped his hands at the top, around the baby’s head, and continued turning it. Stephen could see a long shape in my belly turning around (I couldn't really see anything)! And then it popped into place, head down!

We stayed in the hospital for another 4 hours and then they checked the baby's heartbeat and position again - it hadn't decided it wanted to turn back (only about 2% change position after such a procedure). This baby is a mover and Friday and most of Saturday it was pretty still. We think the poor thing was disoriented. However, I woke up early this morning (before 4) and the baby was really moving about. Now I am slightly nervous that it managed to re-turn itself back into the breech position. We do have a doctor's appt tomorrow (Monday) am and she will check the position again. If they think it is still possible to turn it, they will try again and induce labor the same day so Baby wouldn't have a chance to re-arrange itself! I suppose I went through this turning thing once so I can do it again, but it would be nice not to. It wasn't painful - just kind of uncomfortable; Baby moving around is often uncomfortable as well so that's nothing new!

A Shower and A Visit

Every morning at work, my department gathers for coffee for about 10 minutes. Depending on how much I have to do, if I am in the middle of something or not, etc, I may or may not join them. On Friday, I joined them and when I got down to the end of the hall where we gather, I was surprised - with a baby shower! Since it it summer, many people are on holiday so it was just a small group. There was a pile of gifts though and berry cake and home made Filipino rice cakes (which I thought were very sweet). We have added to our collection of clothes and also received a few toys and practical things. It is unusual here to have a baby shower and if there is one, it is usually held after the birth of the baby. I think the Filipino in my department organized this - such a before-birth custom is common for her as well - and I also think she is pretty excited about this baby, too! I only wish Stephen could have been there as he is more concerned that we are missing out on all of these types of things by living so far from 'home.'

On Saturday, we went to the clinic where we plan to have the baby for a visit of the maternity facilities. We had chosen this clinic without checking out such things, but thought for my piece of mind, especially, it would be good to go and have a first look. They have three delivery rooms that all seemed well equipped though only one has the jacuzzi in it. The baby would be measured, etc. in the same room and only leave the room if it had to be put in an incubator. The operating room for emergency c-sections is right down the hall. The baby can stay in my room with me all the time if I want. They have bassinets on high stands so it would be level with me in the bed. And the area to change and bathe the baby isn't far away. I'm feeling all excited and more comfortable about this now - but Stephen left feeling a little more nervous, I think!

Holier water?

Sarah's parents will be coming (from Iowa, most likely) in October to see Baby, and, because it's the end of our time in Geneva (at least that's what we're planning), they will help us pack up and clean our apartment (which needs to be left better than we found it, according to Swiss practices). And since my parents will be coming in August for the birth, we plan to have Baby baptized in October when Sarah's parents are here.

We'll have the baptism at our church on one of the Sundays Sarah's parents are here, and Sarah's father will do the baptism with our pastor (remember that Sarah's father is an ELCA pastor and that he did the vows part at our wedding). I had the idea of getting some water from the Jordan River to use at the baptism. I hadn't thought of this when we were in Israel and Palestine last December (just when we thought we might be pregnant), so when the idea arose, the dilemma of how to obtain some emerged. One of Sarah's coworkers went to Jerusalem a couple months ago for a meeting, but he forgot to get some water from the Jerusalem representative of Sarah's organization who works there. No problem. We just waited until a fellow church member who works for the World Council of Churches went there a few weeks ago. He apparently brought us back a big bottle, which he obtained himself (we haven't gotten it from him yet). While he was at the river, which is on the border of Israel and Jordan (two countries that aren't really friendly with each other), an Orthodox priest he was with put on a sort of robe and went all the way into the river. Our friend wanted to as well, but he thought it was best not to at the time because he was functioning as the WCC general secretary's spokesman. Anyway, we know this bottle contains authentic Jordan River water.


But then today, another fellow coworker of Sarah came back from Jerusalem with another bottle of Jordan River water, although this one was purchased in Jerusalem, so we can't trust its authenticity 100 percent. But they market it well as a Holy Land souvenir, as real "holy" water.


Well, whatever Jordan River water we use, we will probably get water from some other sources too for use in the baptism - Lake Geneva, which is water from the Alps, and perhaps some water from a source or two in the United States. This is already a well-travelled, international baby, mind you, so water from around the world, from places he/she has a connection to through family is what we are thinking of achieving. Yes, I know Baby doesn't really have a connection to the Jordan River, but in a way, all God's chil'un do, don't they?

Boy or Girl?

Three women have now told me at work that they think it will be a boy - something to do with how I am carrying the baby. Stephen had a dream that it was a girl and one of his aunt's also believe its a girl. My mom dreamed that we took the baby out and played with it - but she didn't know the sex. I still talk to Baby using both he and she interchangebly - not sure I have had strong feelings one way or the other. Knowing that we WILL know soon is pretty exciting!

A month and a day...

We are starting to feel that the end is in sight. Today was the first really warm summer-like day that we have had in weeks. If I was in the sun, I felt pretty hot and uncomfortable. But it isn't humid, so in the shade, I did ok. The forecast is for cooler temps again so who knows how this last month will go.

Last night at the pre-natal class, we went over positions to help the labor and delivery go more smoothly/help the process along. We are to practice them a couple of times a week just to remember what we need to do! Next week is our last class. We also have a doctor's appt next Thursday where we will see what position Baby is in. Stephen and I have different ideas sometimes what the hard parts that poke out are! Baby is still pretty active though it has calmed down some nights which means I am definitely sleeping better.

Learning about Delivering

Last night at the baby class, we heard all about the delivery. I am still worried that the baby won't turn around (put its head down) and therefore, we will have to decide if we want to try and give birth naturally (and maybe have a c-section) or just plan a c-section. I worry about having it naturally with its head in the right place - the head in the wrong place makes it that much worse! The mid-wife said that if the mom wants to, after the baby's head and shoulders have cleared the birth canal, the mom can reach down and bring the baby up to her chest. (Dad could, too, but she recommends (for a variety of reasons) only from the mom's point of view, e.g. behind mom's shoulders and not facing mom head on, if you get what I mean.) I am not sure either of us want to do that!

And we found out we could take the placenta home if we wanted to - I'm definitely not interested in that. Otherwise, the hospital will burn it. Anyone know what happens in the U.S.? We also learned about a variety of other things relating to the process - I definitely feel well informed now.

Squirming and squeaming

Does my voice make you squirm? When I call you, do you start moving uncomfortably when you hear it's me? This is the case with Baby. Well, maybe Baby is not squirming or uncomfortable; maybe that's just the only way it knows how to respond and communicate that it hears me.

At the suggestion of our baby class instructor, I've tried communicating more directly with Baby - not just putting my hands on Sarah's stomach, which caused Baby to press back with its head after a couple minutes. But now, after speaking to it (our baby books say Baby is well into the stage in which it can hear from inside there), I can even wake Baby up and make it respond with my voice. It squirms and presses back on my hand, although this makes Sarah physically uncomfortable when it moves a lot. But this is fun - I feel like I'm bonding with Baby already.

We had the second session of our baby class last night. We talked about what the signs of labor are. One topic was epidurals. I almost had to excuse myself from the room when the topic came up. I am allowed to - and plan to - be in the delivery room. But there are some parts of it - even aside from an epidural or C-section or anything medical - that I am wondering if I can handle. I am very squeamish when it comes to injections or the sight of blood or the thought of any kind of surgery. So after the class I told Sarah that I would be there in the delivery room to support her, but if the need arises for an epidural, I told her I would definitely be leaving the room for a few minutes. If I should stay during this time, I think I would faint or vomit and then be no good for the rest of the labor.

Many parts of the labor were described in detail, and it was all very helpful. One message came through clearly - one has no control over the timing of it all. I think this will be a good first test for us (especially Sarah, the real planner and list-maker!). It will be only the beginning of a new, unpredictable life with a child!

Feeling Big

I am definitely feeling big - and looking at this picture - need to work on my posture more! People keep asking me when the baby is due and I can tell they think it should be any day now. I know I can't do anything about it, but I am hoping the baby will turn itself around. I have started clearing my desk at work - making sure things are filed, not starting any new projects, taking home my personal things. I don't want to leave that for anyone else to do.

I am glad that our prenatal class has started. I was getting worried about that as well - it kept getting postponed. I know, I shouldn't be worrying about things, and I try not to, but it's a bit hard.

Training for the parents

Three things to report on:

1. We had another appointment with the baby doctor last week. We are now visiting her monthly as we go through this final stretch. She did an ultrasound to see if Baby has turned upside down toward the head-first birthing position. We think Baby has turned a bit since our last ultrasound, but I think the doctor was expecting it to be pretty much in the birth position. But she says we'll wait another month until the next appointment, and she'll do another ultrasound to check its position. Right now, it's pretty much upright.

So now we have to coax the baby to turn. There are methods for getting babies to do this, but they are medically risky (ranging from experimental accupuncture to physically turning it - I wasn't going to ask more about that, but the doctor said it was painful for the mother), and the worst-case scenario is a C-section if the baby ultimately doesn't turn (to avoid a breach birth). But it has time. So I've told Baby to be good and to start turning. Perhaps you'd like to send your own requests to Baby, and I'll pass them on. Otherwise, the baby is at an average weight - 1.9 kg (it can/will get up to 3.5 kg by the time it's born), but in terms of size, the doctor keeps saying it's big. So perhaps there's not much room in there for it to turn!

B. Friday night we had the first session of our five-week baby-preparation course. We found such a course in English, and eight or nine couples are taking part. We are the only Americans in the group (I always expect to find more Americans in groups like this or in something like French language lessons). The other couples (and all but one father came too; the one who didn’t show had a previous commitment, so in the 21st century, pregnancy truly is a joint “project”) are from Ireland, China, Japan, the Philippines, Australia, France, India (wife)/Italy (husband), Uganda (wife)/England (husband).

The first session was mostly about diet (and how women can deal with constipation). The instructor is a midwife who has worked all over the Geneva and neighboring areas. She told us that she would speak in general terms and that everything did not have to apply to everybody. But if you were to believe that you had to or should be following everything she said about what to eat, how to exercise and stand and avoid stress and heavy work, then you should be feeling guilty and that you have already been a bad parent before your baby is even born. I don’t think we’re doing even half of what she said. I know – the point wasn’t to make me/us feel guilty. And I shouldn’t because at every trip we’ve made to the doctor and clinic, we’ve heard that our baby is normal and healthy. So I think we’re doing pretty well.

Besides hearing about diet, we learned many interesting things. In Switzerland, unlike in the United States, where “drive-by births” became popular and the political buzzword several years ago, the typical hospital stay after birth for the mother is a full five days! Yes, that’s for a normal birth! And here they won’t send you home even after that long if there is nobody there (father or other family) to care for the mother. Swiss insurance provides for 10 days of home visits by a midwife (not necessarily 10 visits, but just 10 days of care). So we’ll take advantage of that. You are also entitled to three lactation consultations a year after birth. If we need any other instruction or advice, besides our pediatrician, there is this free clinic staffed by midwives that we can walk into or call. These classes are taking place at this clinic. So, the first months of raising a child should be a piece of cake (yeah, right)! At least we have many resources (even redundant ones) at our disposal – instruction or advice will not be far. And besides, both sets of grandparents will visit us during these first few months as well.

III. As today is Father's Day, Sarah gave the father-to-be - moi - a gift - a little letter from Baby with some coupons for some time out for Dad at Starbucks. No doubt I'll enjoy those!

Baby's first big purchase

Well, we finally bought a stroller. This has been a long process of visiting many baby stores (in at least two different countries), looking at many models, looking at manufacturers' Web sites, comparing types, and thinking. (Plus there is a lot to choose from here in Europe - we think there is a lot more to offer here and more innovative equipment for babies than in the U.S.) But then again, this is the usual process for both of us when we make a major purchase. We're definitely not the type to rush into anything.

But it's just a stroller, you say. Yes, but it's more! Because we are moving out of Geneva in several months, we did not want to get too much furniture or equipment for the baby (we'll buy it all when we finally settle down somewhere), and so we had been looking at a three-in-one type of stroller, and an Italian brand model (Chico) caught our eye early. This is what we ultimately settled on. In addition to your traditional stroller (which we will be able to use when the child is a few months older), it comes with a car seat/carrier and a bassinet/carrier, and it's this part that will double as Baby's bed at home until we leave Geneva. The car seat and bassinet both go on top of the stroller part so you can push the baby around in those things too.

So finally Daddy gets a picture on this blog, and this is me with the new stroller. We spent a little time learning how it all works today. Talk about a sophisticated piece of equipment (and we still haven't figured it all out)! You would probably be shocked at the price, but remember that we got three major pieces all together (which have to be bought by every new parent anyway) and probably won't need to buy any other furniture or equipment while we're here (plus the woman at the shop said this model should last us ten years; I wanted to tell her that a 10-year-old would be too big for the stroller anyway). While it means comfort for Baby, this stroller is really for the parents - it will be a nice model to have and use. Sarah keeps saying, "I'm pleased."

So you'll see Baby gettin' around town in style - getting on and off the bus, at the tea room having coffee and croissants, and at the grocery store buying a baguette. I'm just worried that it will remember what a nice stroller it had at birth and then, at 16, demand that we buy it a sports car!

Our pediatrician

We met with our pediatrician today. For some reason, I was all nervous about it. I even had a dream/nightmare about it. I think partly because I did not know what to expect and as usual, the whole question of 'how good will their English be?' It went fine and we got lots of useful information. Stephen had some good questions about vaccinations and living in a third world country with a baby. In case you are interested, the only real difference between Swiss and US vaccinations is when they do the one for Hepatitis B. Glad we have that out of the way.

Our next appointment with the 'baby' doctor is at the end of next week. We have been seeing her once a month, but I have a feeling she will soon step up the frequency. I think this time she wants to check where the baby's head is.

Traveling around

During our road trip, I wore the shirt Stephen gave me for Mother's Day (see photo) a couple of days. For those of you who can't read French, it says 'It's for August.' All of the comments I had were interestingly from men - I think they thought it was amusing.

We stayed at a couple of b-and-b type places; there the women had to comment on our pregnancy, when was the baby due, was it our first, did we know the sex, etc. Stephen and I had stayed at this one place before; we couldn't believe how excited the woman was for us! She was amazed that we had taken this baby on a 2,839 kilometer trip - she is sure that will make the baby 'show its nose' early! I am also finding I am getting preferential treatment becuase of my tummy - someone offered me their seat on the bus, I have jumped the queue in the restroom (by invitation!). I feel I little guilty - I am not that big yet!

More on the Moving

Sometimes this child is SO active that I wish it would calm down a bit! I wouldn't necessarily say it moves at certain times during the day, but I generally feel it around lunchtime and then some time during the night - any where from 2:00 to 7:00 in the morning. I don't mind the 7:00 times, but if it is rather forceful at 2:00, I would rather it was sleeping so that I could sleep! The other night, the moevements were so strong, I swear I was feeling a body part - most likely the head based on the position. That's a bit creepy for me. It's more like an alien than a child then to me. Something is trying to come out of me - straight through the abdomen.

Otherwise, in answer to the most frequently asked question, I am feeling fine. Tired because of not enough sleep, but I think that is the only reason. We only have 12 weeks to go!

Mother's Day

Stephen got me a gift for Mother's Day as a Mother to be. It made me a little teary-eyed. Sometimes, I really can't believe that this is happening and I wonder, "Do we really know what we have gotten into?" We will have to share a picture of this gift, but it might be a while. We leave on Thursday for a road trip through France. This picture is from our most recent trip to France - which included a side trip to Chartres to view the catherdral there.

We had another ultrsound on Thursday to check the progress of the baby's thryoid (since I have a low active one). Everything looks good they said. The baby is now approximately 1.2 kilos. It will be around 2.8-3.6 kilograms at birth the technician told us. Supposedly, we are right on track. We also have a picture to share from that but that may also take a while! It's a cute frontal view of the face. Hard to tell who it really looks like, personally.

Things are lining up...

We now have a pediatrician! I wouldn't have known really that I needed to look for one in advance except the paperwork for the clinic asked for the name of your pediatrician. So our doctor recommended three names; I managed to find two of them in the phone book (guessed well enough at the spelling of their names); called one and she was accepting new patients. So we have a prenatal appointment the first week of June. Stephen doesn't quite get why we need to go, but the receptionist (with her limited English) said usually one should come in 2 months before the due date. I think it is mainly just to meet this person. One more thing taken care.

We are supposed to start our prenatal classes (in English) in June, but I haven't been able to get the start date confirmed. That is making me a little nervous, but the Swiss are usually good about getting back to you.

An American whose two children were born here told us today that because our baby is being born in Switzerland, if our child does not marry an American and is not living in the US when they have a child, our potential grandchild would not automatically have US citizenship. Interesting and strange ...some things you never think about - and wonder who comes up with these rules!

Baby Stuff

Time is flying by. We basically only have 3 months to go. As we get into warmer clothes, people are commenting on my size - I think mostly because they can see more! As you can see from the picture attached, I am getting as big as the domes of this cathedral! (According to Stephen, that is!)

We are trying to figure out what 'accoutrements' we need. Trying not to buy everything (partly because of knowing we will move, also cost is a factor). Two Saturdays ago we went to a baby shop Stephen had found in France. The number of stroller options is amazing. We have basically figured out that we want a three - in -one: a bassinet/carrycot that straps on to the stroller with the car seat that you can strap on instead and then the stroller finally acting as a stroller for an older kid. These things are really expensive though and there are lots ot brands too. I am part of this e-mail group for moms in Switzerland and sometimes people post things for sale there. But we haven't gotten anything that way and it's hard to tell from pictures if what they are selling is what we want exactly. I don't really want to buy new, but I feel limited here in finding used things.

We do now have one useful item - a baby bathtub! We had gone to dinner at one of Stephen's former co-workers and they passed along their bathtub. So one thing down! (We are also collecting an assortment of clothes....) Pricing diapers has also been interesting...that is certainly a cost outlay. We may look into a more ecological option!

On our visit to Mosocw, I think I really wore myself out one day - we ended up resting most of the afternoon and Stephen did some things on his own. I know I have to take it easy - it's just hard to not be able to do everything you want to do! But Stephen is being very patient with me which I appreciate!

Those elegant French speakers

On Thursday we had another check-up with the baby doctor. Its main purpose was for Sarah to take the screening test for diabetes that one can contract during pregnancy. This involved drinking a sugar powder dissolved in water an hour before the appointment and the drawing of blood. The check-up was also to follow up with us on the major ultrasound we had a few weeks ago. All is normal and well from that, the doctor said. She didn’t do another ultrasound herself because this other one had been done a few weeks ago, and she didn’t feel listening to the baby’s heartbeat was necessary at this visit either because she feels the baby is moving enough. Sarah says the baby is moving a lot. We found out yesterday that the results from the diabetes screening were normal – no further tests are necessary. But with the baby moving a lot, you’d think that Baby is on a sugar high a lot from something, wouldn’t you? I don’t think Sarah has cut back on her chocolate consumption during this pregnancy (we found a good flavor of a favorite brand in Copenhagen last weekend). Spending these nine months in the womb in Switzerland, Baby will be used to Swiss cheese and chocolate before it is born!

While at the doctor’s, she asked Sarah if her assistant had taken a urine sample, using that very word. But then, as the conversation continued, she switched to using the word “pee-pee” and used it several times thereafter, never using “urine” again. I thought this was so funny. Of course, the doctor speaks with a French accent, and French speakers can make anything sound elegant, even talk about “le pee-pee” or “le poo-poo.” (I saw a great commercial in French a few months ago that explained the two flush buttons – one big, one small – on our toilet and many other toilets in Europe: A real-estate agent was showing a couple a house, and in the bathroom he pointed to the two buttons that delivered big and small flushes for – you can guess – either “le pee-pee” or “le poo-poo.”) Sorry, I know some may be disgusted by talk of this, but I think we’ve got the best terminology in French for dealing with a toddler!

There was also talk at the doctor about Sarah’s size. I’ve noticed in the past few weeks that she is looking big, but, you know, I haven’t been around pregnant women a lot before to know how one’s physical growth progresses over the months. The doctor said Sarah has gained a normal amount of weight at this stage, but she also said if one grows large during pregnancy, that means one could have a big baby. If we didn’t have anything to worry about in this pregnancy before, now we’re worried about having a large baby (well, I’m worried for Sarah having to deliver a big baby). But what can we do?

Now the search is on for a pediatrician. The baby doctor recommended a few. There are many things to line up and get in place for the delivery – all the arrangements (including a sort of rendez-vous) at the clinic, making sure all the right doctors will be there, etc. Again, after living in Europe for several years and learning about the Middle Ages so much here, I keep asking how women during that time managed to have babies. They didn’t have regular doctor visits and have to worry about getting everything lined up for the delivery. And all the mail from our insurance company! Luckily Sarah’s in charge of processing all the bills and reimbursements (if you think an insurance company’s bureaucracy and paperwork is hard enough, try doing most of it in French!).