wow! That archive was a blast from the past. I miss Hollycrand. She knows everything about Germany!
I lived in Duesseldorf as an expat. Definitely meet up with the American Women's Club Duesseldorf
http://www.awcduesseldorf.org/ Since it's only 6 months and you're pregnant you might want to just stay put. If you have a strong backup at home, stay home. You will not get a homebirth in Germany and midwives are simply not the same. Go, visit while you still can, you may want to have a travel partner because my son was 2 at the time and I will never fly with him again after those transatlantic flights. If your husband has private insurance you will be able to find excellent english speaking doctors. Many women are there when their children are young and often have their children there because it's a great time since they won't be able to work. I thought our pediatrician was a little weird and we saw as little of him as possible. Put my son's well child visits 6 months behind but no complaints. We had public insurance Depending on how you feel about health care and vax you may want to just stay put for well child visits as well. There are many cultural differences and opinions when it comes to medical care. Homeopothy and such is often used but if you have issues (hope not!) with your new little one, stay home. With private insurance the doctors are excellent and will treat you very well because they are very easily getting well paid for their time.
If your husband has an apartment in Kaiserswert where most Americans with families live you will be set. Lots of english spoken and it's a beautiful place to live to boot! If he has an option that is where he should look if you plan on visiting often or living there full time after the baby is born. We lived on the other side of town but my husband is German and I speak enough and had lived there before so I was fine with a child. The public transport is very good and my son and I had a wonderful time running around the city. It really is the most perfect city in Germany. Large enough to have everything and small enough to be totally manageable. You will be there for Christmas with is really great!!!! Christmas is Germany is the BEST!!!! Breast feeding in public is a total non issue. You will want a good stroller. I strongly recommend wearing baby and pushing the 2yo. A double stroller would be way too big. If you can do it strollerless, all the better but that's just me. German children are quite used to sitting in strollers for long periods of time. Many tram stops are easy to walk on and off but some are still older and you will need help with the stroller. Usually you can just smile at someone and they will help you. Yes, many speak english but don't but if you are friendly people will go out of their way to help. Just get someone's attention, smile, point at the stroller and say "bitte" (bit-a) That's german for please. Than thank them with Danke (dank a) or Danka Shoen (dank a shun) And, by all means just say please and thank you in english it will be just as well received!!
If you go through the American Women's club you will find an instant group of friends in the same boat and it will be easy. Not crunchy, but perfectly nice anyway
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I think I could keep going. If you have any questions please PM me. I'd be happy to answer them or at least try. We moved there to be near my husbands family and HE hated it so we moved back within a year. So many wonderful opportunites there. Enjoy!!!!
Victoria:-)
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