Pregnant!!

[hazieluna]

Hi,

I just found out we are pregnant, expecting our first in September. I live in Amsterdam. I know midwifes are the norm here but I'm wondering about birthing classes and other resources in English. Does anyone have any suggestions on where to start looking and also advice!

Any help appreciated!!!

Thanks!

[sarahmck]

Congratulations!

I didn't give birth here, so I don't have any personal experience in that area, but I have had some recommendations for midwifery practices. I'd be glad to tell you what I've heard.

The American Women's Club is doing a seminar on January 24th called Having a Baby in Holland. It's 10 Euros for non-members. I'd be glad to give you the information if you're interested.

Finally, the English-lanaguage LLL group meets monthly here in Amsterdam. The next meeting is next Thursday the 18th. Pregnant women are always welcome. Again, I'll be glad to give you the info if you're interested.

Sarah

[hazieluna]

Congratulations!

I didn't give birth here, so I don't have any personal experience in that area, but I have had some recommendations for midwifery practices. I'd be glad to tell you what I've heard.

The American Women's Club is doing a seminar on January 24th called Having a Baby in Holland. It's 10 Euros for non-members. I'd be glad to give you the information if you're interested.

Finally, the English-lanaguage LLL group meets monthly here in Amsterdam. The next meeting is next Thursday the 18th. Pregnant women are always welcome. Again, I'll be glad to give you the info if you're interested.

Sarah


Thanks Sarah! I am very interested in both actually. I had no idea there was a LLL here. When I fist moved to Amsterdam I thought about joining the American Women's Club but at the time it was too expensive for me.

Anyway thank you for the info.

natalia

[sarahmck]

Hi Natalia,

The next LLL meeting is next Thursday the 18th from 10-12 at Mina Ohuchi Bregman's house at Raphaelstraat 2hs. The meeting costs 2/3 Euros for LLL members/non-members. I know Mina likes to have an idea how many people to expect, so if you plan to come, just let me know and I'll pass the word along. Bringing a healthy snack is always appreciated, but isn't necessary.

The Having a Baby in Holland seminar is going to be on the 24th from 7-9:30 at the ABC Treehouse at Voetboogstraat 11 right off the Spui. Pre-registration is required by writing to mcfarlandtara@hotmail.com or 06 41 89 51 39. The cost is 5/10 Euros for AWCA members/non-members. Partners attend for free.

I hope to see you at LLL next week!

Sarah

[hazieluna]

Thanks Sarah! I am working full time so I can't make the LLL meeting. I guess I'll go once I'm off from work.

I'm going to sign up for the American Women's talk on "Having a baby in Holland", I think that is perfect. Thanks again for all the info.

Btw how can I get the info about future LLL meetings?

natalia

[sarahmck]

Btw how can I get the info about future LLL meetings?

PM me your e-mail address and I'll get Mina to add you to the distribution list.

[krizzanne]

I just want to say: congratulations!

[rzberrymom]

Congratulations from me too!!

I have lots of pregnancy and birth books in English--if you need any, just let me know. I also have a Hypnobabies course on CD somewhere, and I could try to find it if you want to borrow it.

I gave birth here, and my only advice would be to ask your midwives all the difficult, nitty gritty questions that you would of a provider in the U.S. (actually, I'm not sure whether you're from the U.S.--sorry if I got that wrong!) I had this idea that since they have one of the most natural birth systems on the planet and they're held up as an example, I didn't have to worry about things like them prematurely breaking my water, routine episiotomy, etc. But, I think midwives vary A LOT here. I had a very medicalized group of midwives, but I've heard wonderful things from friends who have also given birth here. I think one of the birth books I have here has a list of questions to ask.

Anyway, good luck! Let us know if you need anything!

[hazieluna]

Thank you! To be honest I'm in the throes of morning sickness right now and have been mostly hibernating in this weather! I have my first ultrasound in two weeks. I have already had an appointment with the midwife practice I'm going to use. They are on the Bilderdijkstraat, I don't know if any of you are located in Amsterdam?

This is my first pregnancy and I'm really excited about everything. I don't know if I've asked all the right questions at all, just mostly listened. It's a bit hard to be doing this in a foreign country, my partner is Czech and I'm half Spanish and half American. I know in Spain and in the US they are very hands on - Dr. takes control of the birth and you end up hooked up to machines telling you how your body is doing instead of allowing you to feel it. I'm scared but I'm also very committed to a natural birth at home. I'm happy that's the norm here.

I would love to borrow some books! Oh and the hypnobabies would be great!!! I've read in MDC about other women using this technique!

So a few more questions! I'd like to do cloth diapering, do you know of anywhere here in NL that you can buy them from? Or should I just order them from the US? I've found quite a few online places that deliver to NL. Also why is all the maternity clothes here so expensive?? I would love to be able to order from Old Navy, they have some really cute stuff and not expensive at all! Strange the stuff I end up missing....

Okay sorry for the rambling! And thanks for all the congrats, it doesn't even seem real yet!

[sarahmck]

They are on the Bilderdijkstraat, I don't know if any of you are located in Amsterdam?

I'm in Amsterdam, but I'm not familiar with that midwife practice.

So a few more questions! I'd like to do cloth diapering, do you know of anywhere here in NL that you can buy them from? Or should I just order them from the US? I've found quite a few online places that deliver to NL.

We use cloth diapers. It's totally uncommon here. The doctor at our consultatiebureau said that there are no other kids who visit there that are in cloth. I got all my stuff in the States, but I did live there at the time. There are lots of places in England to get stuff, too. I am aware of the existence of one company here, www.bambinomio.nl, but I have no idea what products they have, what the quality is, etc.

If you ever want to talk about cloth diapers or see what we use or whatever, feel free to contact me.

[clogmama]

So a few more questions! I'd like to do cloth diapering, do you know of anywhere here in NL that you can buy them from? Or should I just order them from the US? I've found quite a few online places that deliver to NL. Also why is all the maternity clothes here so expensive?? I would love to be able to order from Old Navy, they have some really cute stuff and not expensive at all! Strange the stuff I end up missing....


Congratulations!
I had a home birth in the Netherlands and I must say it was the best experience of my life.
I also do cloth diapering, and I use the prefolds from the United States. I also use an all-in-one variety from Motherease, which I ordered online. However, at Hema you can buy cloth diapers and fold them yourself. They work nicely for infants, and I think it's fun to fold the diapers. They dry much more quickly than the prefolds and can be line dried. Try a second hand children's clothing store--they often have cloth diapers and covers. I bought a wonderful wool diaper cover ( a Disana cover, made in Germany) for 3 euros second hand. The Disana website has information in English, and seems to carry very nice eco-friendly items. Also, I used wool nursing pads and found them to work much better than any other variety (I just noticed them on the Disana website).
Good luck!

[SuzymomofLaura]

Hi Hazieluna, congratulations on your pregnancy! Hope the MS will have worn off some by now. At http://katoenenluiers.startpagina.nl/ a lot of links to online resources for cloth diapering can be found, Dutch and international. I have no personal experience with any of them as yet, but want to CD my second baby, due in june, so I will in the near future... :)
Feel free to PM if you need help with translating!
Suzy

[krizzanne]

Hey, I have some used cloth diapers and covers if you are interested!

[hazieluna]

Thank you! Nice that I get to have this resource! I'm going to check out the websites and see what I find.

krizzanne - I am interested in your CD. I'm not due until Sept so maybe SuzymomofLaura wants first dibs to your stash since she's due sooner?

Yesterday I got my first u/s and we were so excited to see the baby. I'm really happy about the hands off approach here in NL to pregnancy. I'm 35 and my midwife didn't push me to have extra testing and neither did the OB at the echo.

I feel very relaxed which is not my usual state, usually I'm a worrier.

[SuzymomofLaura]

krizzanne - I am interested in your CD. I'm not due until Sept so maybe SuzymomofLaura wants first dibs to your stash since she's due sooner?

You're a dear, but I inherited my sisters stash, and since I love to sew, I plan to sew some extra myself in addition. So please feel free to accept Krissies offer!
You know, my youngest sister is due in september, she's the same age as you!
There is some additional advice I'd like to give you if I may. I totally agree with rzberrymom in asking your MW ALL the difficult questions imaginable, but I would advice you strongly to work out a birthplan as well. In the Netherlands homebirthing is considered normal, low-risk and preferrable, BUT if any complications arise that a MW isn't comfortable or entitled to deal with, you will be transferred to a hospital. Your MW might or might not stay with you then, but has to literally 'hand you over' to a gynaecologist, and he/she will have sole responsibility from there on. Chances are that you'll have a much less medicalized birth when you have made a birthplan, just in case, if this would happen. Maybe your MW can help you write it.