New to France-Rhone-Alps

[Bellabaz]

Hello,

We have moved to Gex, France (near swiss border) just about 4 weeks ago and I am looking for other mothers in the area. I am also expecting #2 in about 5 weeks and although I am planning a homebirth I am quite discourage with the medical system's routine regarding birth. My midwife is actually swiss and they induce at 10 days post-term! So if I go overdue I am facing a medicalized hospital birth (although we will go to Swizterland because the hospital is closer).

Anyway, I also have a daughter who is 2.5. I don't speak French yet either so meeting other mothers has been difficult. If anyone is interested in getting together or is in the area, let me know!

[IsaFrench]

Hi, I 'm not near you (futher down south) but just wanted to say "Hello, welcome to France & good luck with your birthing plan"

[*theophane*]

hello there!
i was born there! i was raised between Divonne and Ferney Voltaire and Geneva, actually. i am now in CT ;-)
i left before being in childbearing age so i can't tell you much more i'm afraid, but i still wanted to say hi. it's a beautiful area, with many many foreigners. i am sure you could get some answers from LLL, probably the Swiss LLL section.
Did you check the Swiss section here on MDC?
also there might be some more mainstream boards, like MagicMaman.com, where there are people from the Geneva Area, whatever side of the border that means. Not all are mainstream people, i think.
Did yu ask your MW if she hosts gatherings?
or if she has groups she can recommend?
any natural stores where they have bulletin boards?
i know there are babywearing groups. (groupes de portage)
i think API has a section in CH.
the other French side of the lake (Haute Savoie) might also have interesting ressources, it's not so far actually.
I wish you loads of courage and energy, i know how it is to move abroad before giving birth, without friends and all.

iSABELLE

[Bellabaz]

Thank you both for your encouraging responses. Hopefully things will calm down a little bit so I can enjoy the last 4 weeks and bond a bit more with the baby to be.

I looked on the LLL site but they only have a group in the German part of SW. and the French groups are too far as well. When we get a bit more settled I will consider becoming a leader and starting one here maybe. There is a similar group that meets at a church but they don't meet until September. One thing I didn't realized when we moved here was that everything stops in the summer. So even though there are a lot of foreigners and international support groups, none of them can help me until the school year starts. I will definitely take advantage of them then but I guess it will have to wait until after baby comes.

I know everything will work out eventually, but this summer has been nuts and it was a little overwhelming for awhile. We did find a very nice babysitter to take care of dd while I take some intensive French courses this month, which should help meeting people too. I can understand some and I studied it before but I haven't used it in several years so thats what is so frustrating.

And not really having people to vent to about stuff is hard. But I can usually keep a positive attitude because I know I will meet friends it just takes time.

Thanks again and sorry for the long reply!

[*theophane*]

hello;

i just found this and thought it might help.
http://romandie.stillberatung.ch/
apparently GIFA is the French speaking ressource, maybe partnering with LLL? anyway it would be great to start being a LLL leader yourself!

Genève
Animatrice GIFA
Daphné Lachavanne [phone]
Français, anglais
Questions allaitement + maternage LLL
Catherine Koninckx [phone]
Français, anglais
Réunions (en partenariat GIFA et LLL)
Enfants bienvenus
Chaque 1er mardi du mois
Lieu Locaux G.I.F.A. - 11, Av. de la Paix - Genève
Heures 14h00 à 16h00

and:
http://www.mmjournal.com/

good luck!
come tell us how it goes!

Isabelle

[talli]

Hi there
We just moved to Cessy last month - so we are right next door !
I am originally from Germany, but my husband is Australian and we only speak English at home. I have 2 kids, a boy who is nearly 8 now and a 2 1/2 year old girl. Looks like I am 10 years older though, gulp - am I really in my late 30 already )))

Please let me know if you are still interested in meeting new moms, it would be great hearing from you and how you like it here and settled after those months!

[IsaFrench]

Hello, I'm a far from where you are but have you tried this english language website ?
http://frenchalps.angloinfo.com/
I don't use the angloinfo website myself because there's a strong local community already established where I live
but I've heard very positive comments on it, apparently you can post for free to try to meet up with other english speakers in your local area and also see what's going on already near you ...