GIRL! We are so excited. Andy has no qualms about being outnumbered. He claims he, "kind of likes girls"! I guess Rachel and I make that pretty easy. :) What's not to like??? Anyhow, last Thursday I had a midwife appointment and we were able to have an ultrasound done. This time we had a bit more cooperation from the baby. Rachel has been pretty insistent the whole pregnancy that we were having a baby girl. I guess we should have just taken her word for it! :) Rachel was cute on Friday when she stated that she wanted to go back to the doctor and, "see baby on TV". I guess Rachel really was paying attention during the ultrasound. She also insists that there are two babies (because there are two monitors). I'm excited for Rachel to have a sister. And when they argue and fight, I'll just pull out the I-never-had-a-sister card and hopefully they'll get along! :) Wishful thinking, huh? Everything looked great on the ultrasound. We were also able to see toes, fingers, a yawn, and her cute button nose.
Last week was a pretty informative week. We went to an English-speaking tour of the Amstelveen hospital on Wednesday night. A lot of it was pretty repetitive to us, but there were a few surprises of how they handle things here in Holland. For example, they don't bathe the babies until the next day. They like to give "their skin a chance to soak in the vernix". So, this little baby girl isn't going to have as many beautiful pictures her first day of existence. Also, you give birth in whatever clothes you bring with you, no hospital gowns are provided. And our guide told us, "Some women choose to give birth like Eve did" (i.e. the proverbial birthday suit). Ummm, I don't think so! When you get to the hospital, if you want a wheelchair, you best have a 2 euro coin with you. I quote, "it's just like the shopping carts at the grocery store". Of course you get your 2 euro coin back when the wheelchair is returned.
After our tour I was feeling a bit more comfortable about the possibility of receiving an epidural. They claimed that all they had to do was page the anesthesiologist and he/she would come to the hospital to administer the epidural. Well, on Thursday our midwife said that wasn't always so. The anesthesiologist at the Amstelveen hospital works 9-5, but there is always one of them on call. However, they aren't always willing to come in for an epidural and sometimes they arrive too late. So, my wonderful, supportive midwife (seriously, she was great) said we should go register at an Amsterdam hospital that has an anesthesiologist there 24/7. So, we did that on Friday. It's a 15-minute drive versus a 5-minute drive. I think I'll go for 10 minutes longer in the car to ensure I get an epidural!
So, now we are just counting down the weeks - roughly 11 more to go. They aren't too big on inducing here unless it is medically necessary. So, I'm guessing I'll at least go over by a week. Who knows, maybe I'll be one of the lucky few who actually go in to labor on the actual due date. My parents are voting for Dec. 4th (my mom's birthday). :) But all we really hope and pray for now is the safe arrival of a healthy baby girl.
7 comments:
Congrats on another girl. I laugh at the way they do things in Holland. I guess it will be an experience to tell the little gal! I can't believe we are both almost done. It has definitely gone so much faster than my first pregnancy!
Congrats Laura, another girl--yay! SO glad to hear things are going well and that the baby is healthy. I'll be interested to hear how this experience is different from giving birth in a US hospital. With all the talk about how 'bad' healthcare is in the US, I'll be curious if it really is much different elsewhere. Oh, I'm so excited that Rachel gets a sister, that's so fun!:)
I was always happy that my sister was just younger than me. We are best friends, even if we fought a bit when we were younger. I would definitely take the longer drive to be sure to get an epidural! I can't imagine not having one. I guess labor must be easier for some women (or they're much tougher, I'm thinking it's the former not the latter).
that's kind of strange they said they don't bath the baby until the next day. madison was bathed straightaway in our dutch hospital in leiden. good news...i found out that the hospital i have chosen also offers the 24/7 anaestheologist! yay! anyway, you'll have a fantastic birthing experience here. i loved my experience--so much so, we're doing it again!
Congrats!!! So very exciting! I am so relieved about the epidural....I was really very worried about you!
I guess now the thing to bother you guys about is a name???? ;)
I hope you are all well!
yea!! Girls are the best!!
Well you may not have had sisters growing up - but you got lots of them now!!! And we all love you and wish you well!! Can't wait to meet this new baby girl!
Post a Comment