Photo Walk

The fields near our home.

Such a peaceful street

My walking buddies

This is a small river

More fields

Even relaxing at this time of year

An old farmhouse

Our local church

Some photos from a recent walk to try and get baby moving.

Pre-natal yoga

As I mentioned, I started a new yoga class last week. When I was pregnant with Isabella I did a bit of yoga at home but I didn't go to a course. Money was tight with all the other baby expenses and I couldn't find a local course.

This time my midwife recommended it. She said that many second time mums regret not doing as much for the second baby. For example, I won't be doing classes this time as I know what to expect and it's harder to find time to focus on this baby with my first one running around.

Luckily I found one here in Leeste and it's affordable because we don't have to buy as much for baby number two as we kept everything Isabella had.

Last Thursday was my first session and it was really moving. I'm hormonal as hell right now anyway but it felt like the first time I was making time to focus on this baby and our connection. It was also very relaxing which I really need at the moment.

It was a small group - just five of us and all the others are further along than me so we have to see how the course develops but I really hope we find some new recruits! It was an added benefit to meet other mums to be in the area and there's even talk of a baby yoga class.

The yoga was a mix of stretching and relaxing. I really noticed how tense I am and came out aching but in a good way. I'm feeling lots more aches in this pregnancy so it was good to work on them.

I find the leader, Marcella, really nice and she has a very sing song voice which helps to create such a calm atmosphere. I'm really looking forward to tomorrow.

30 Things - Get back to my pre-pregnancy weight

To be fair, I didn't go through the same post partum diet and exercise regime that most new mothers have to. Of course breastfeeding helps but ten weeks of illness did this for me. They say it's easiest with your first anyway. I guess we'll see.

For the last week I have been back in non-maternity clothes. There are still things that don't fit but they didn't fit a year ago either. Having gotten ruthless with Isabella's wardrobe this week, it's my turn next - watch this space.

My Top 3 Pregnancy Reads

If you know what a bookworm I am you will have realised that this post was coming. I've been mixing up my classic reading with some pregnancy and baby related recommendations and here are my top three so far.

What to Expect...

This is of course the go to guide for pregnant women the world over. It's easy to see why. It answers every question you could have during pregnancy (and some that come later) without the scare mongering and contradictions you find online.

I especially loved the week and month break downs. It was exciting to track our progress and recognise that our 'symptoms' were perfectly normal. I recommend this one to all pregnant friends - luckily there is a German version. Also, I wasn't surprised to see the Spanish version in my Columbian roommate's bag at the hospital.

Great With Child

I think I have mentioned this one before. It's a series of letters from one mother to an expectant mother. It is a very sweet reflection on pregnancy and motherhood. Where 'What to Expect' covers the physical side of things, 'Great With Child' is more spiritual.

Bringing Up Bebe

This is my current read. I am three days and 150 pages in and already sold enough to recommend it. It is a well researched comparison of French and American parenting styles. It is interesting to consider how English and German ideas fit in. I'm not sold on either system but there are some interesting points from both countries. It brings up lots of thoughts at what can be a confusing time for new parents.

It's a Girl!

After 32 hours in labour at the hospital, our beautiful daughter was born on Wednesday. We named her Isabella Kathleen. 

Labour was the toughest experience I've ever been through but it's true what they say that it is forgotten the moment you see the baby. I also realised that my labour was surprisingly smooth and easy compared to many others I spoke to.

We are still finding our feet home so posts will be hit and miss for a while. One thing I want to make clear though is that this will not be the first of many baby photos and posts featuring Isabella. I'm keen to keep family and friends up to date but the blog is way too public for me and I don't want to expose her to that. I'm not criticising parenting blogs - I love them and will certainly be using them in the next few months! It's just not what this blog is intended to be.

For now let me just say that I have a newfound respect for all mothers! (and fathers who are as involved and supportive as my husband has been - thank you Nico!)

Bump Photos

Looking huge now!

With our due date looming we were keen to get some last bump photos, especially some with Nico as well. It took a bit of time and effort digging out the camera gear on another hot day but yesterday, we finally got around to it and I love the results.

The belly button is almost popping!

All together

Belly close-up!

Finishing Touches

 Our Ikea delivery finally came yesterday which meant that we could put the finishing touches to the nursery and feel completely ready for the baby's arrival. Furniture building at 38 weeks was surprisingly okay - another reason I like Ikea so much.

Above you can see the easy chair, recommended by a colleague, for our nursing corner in our room. Should make the late night feeds a little more bearable!

Here is our cute little changing table. We headed straight out to our favourite baby store for the neutral changing mat. I love both new pieces of furniture, the wooden look really fits in and keeps a spacious feeling for the flat.

Nursery

As my mum is visiting, we took he opportunity to get the baby's room ready. We're still waiting for an Ikea delivery and the rest of the baby washing to dry but other than that, we are all set.

We are very lucky that Nico's family kept lots of baby things so we have lots. That crib is the one that both Nico and his mother slept in as babies. I think it's lovely to keep the tradition and love the neutral colours.

So, just a little reminder baby B, we are ready when you are!

Hospital Bag

It's taken a while but the hospital bag is finally packed and ready. For first time parents, it's hard to know exactly what to take and what to leave at home. I found lots of good advice here and here. 

We are also very lucky here in Germany that the hospital provides everything for the baby and me until we leave so we don't have to squeeze in nappies, wipes etc.

I'll update over the summer what we actually used and what we didn't need so watch out for that and in the meantime, baby B can make an appearance whenever he or she likes!

30 Things...Try Acupuncture

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Yesterday I had my first acupuncture session. My midwife recommended it as it is supposed to prepare the body for labour and make it go smoother and faster when it does come. She told us that the needles were placed on the legs but otherwise I had no idea what to expect.

She started by explaining that acupuncture is a way to transfer energy and information between my physical and spiritual bodies. I was sat in a chair and had to practise the labour breathing techniques, which are like those used in yoga, in order to ground myself.

Three needles were then inserted into each leg. Two on the outside below the knee and one on the inside above the ankle. They were left there for about half an hour. When she was searching for the points I could feel when she had found them. It's hard to explain but it almost tingles, then she puts the needle in. It doesn't really hurt. You're not allowed to move and you don't feel them the whole time.

When the needles come out, it may bleed a little but it stops quickly, the marks fade quickly and so does the feeling. 

I'm on weekly sessions from now until labour starts. It's hard to tell what effect it has had until we see how labour goes...I'll let you know!

3 unexpected pregnancy experiences

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When we found out we were pregnant back in October, there were many things that I was completely prepared for - morning sickness, cravings, a tidal wave of emotions. However, there are some things that just don't seem to be discussed. Don't worry if you are eating while reading this...I'm not going down that road - the women of the family will fill you in on those details. Here are three things that I didn't hear about in advance.

1. Joint Pains

Especially in the hips. Completely logical and manageable and I'm not complaining (I feel truly blessed by this pregnancy), but the biggest barrier to my getting sleep lately are the hip and knee pains which mean I constantly have to change sides. I just keep focusing on the fact that the more preparation my body does now, the easier labour should be.

2. Not eating for two

Okay, so I know I am eating for two but when I imagined his third trimester I thought our food bills would be doubled and I'd be eating everything in sight. However, I just can't! I'm eating enough and putting on weight but it's on more of a 'little and often' basis. At a family celebration over the weekend we went for a three course meal and I had to give up half way through because of my circulation. Also, it makes sense when I think how squashed up my stomach must be, wherever it is now. 

3. No panic!

I've had the hormone waves and huge emotional highs and lows over the last seven months but I expected that by the time I hit maternity leave I would be nesting and panicking like mad. Maybe this will still hit in the next five weeks but at the moment we're taking it all in our stride. We still haven't store bought anything and the 'nursery' is still stood there empty. So far I'm quite the hippy - things will be done when they need to be done. Panic will not help! 

Maternity Wear

C&A

It was so nice to get out and about today and invest in some new clothes. I've been avoiding buying new clothes for so long in an attempt to save money, I'd quite forgotten how good it feels. It really makes you look forward to having the chance to wear the new outfit, you feel all sparkly and new in it, all of that seemed extra special in the maternity section today - imagining this bump getting bigger, imagining a whole new future when these clothes don't fit anymore...

I got a skirt like the one above, two new tops, some small and a lovely summer dress suitable for church among other thing. It feels great to have more than one pair of trousers and two tops that I can leave the flat in.

Another added benefit that a colleague told me about a few months ago - even though it's still something of a capsule wardrobe, that's a huge plus, it takes half as long to get ready because you're not spoiled for choice. It makes up for the fact that it takes me twice as long to put socks and shoes on now... 

Sweeter Dreams

From the little research I have done, I expected crazy dreams during pregnancy and even some insomnia but I thought the insomnia would be brought on by the baby moving about.  

The sleeplessness has only just kicked in but I'm finding it really hard to pinpoint what is causing it.  I don't have trouble nodding off but when I wake up at two or three in the morning, there is no getting back to sleep.

However, for the last few nights things have improved again and I thought I would share some of the things I've been trying on here in case someone else could benefit from them.

It's a long time since I went to bed without reading a few pages first.  If we watch TV until bed time, I find it much harder to switch off.  It's not something that I've changed lately but something I really recommend.

First of all, as soon as I get into bed, I've started filling out a gratitude journal.  Lately, what with all the hormones, lots of things have been getting me down and I wondered if that might be what keeps me awake, so I decided to take the focus off the negative and start appreciating the good things.  I aim to write at least three things each day and so far it is working.  I go to sleep feeling much more positive.

Something I have been using for a while that suddenly started working is one of these pregnancy pillows.  It helps soo much.  I thought it was just to stop pregnant women rolling onto their stomachs but it really helps with the joint pains and heartburn and for the last two nights I haven't moved in my sleep.

Finally, I have been applying lavender to my temples and pulse points before I go to sleep.  We used to just use it when we couldn't sleep but now I use it all the time.

We have a midwife!!

After much searching, emailing and ringing around we have finally secured ourselves a midwife!

This wasn't something I even thought about until another pregnant colleague told me that she was trying to find one and they were all booked up until September.

I didn't even know that you have to find one yourself here in Germany.  We will actually have two midwives.  One who helps us through the preparation and the first weeks with the baby, and one who delivers the baby in hospital, unless there are complications, which is when they call the doctor.

The problem is that Summer is very busy because many midwives take holidays then, plus more babies tend to be born then.  A couple of midwives I spoke to are actually expecting their own babies in June.  The added problem is that German insurance companies are boosting the premiums for midwives next year, forcing many of them out of practice.

Anyway, we have been very lucky at last to find a midwife - and one who is actually based in Huchting.  She offers prenatal courses and post natal check ups which are covered by my health insurance.  I am so excited to be meeting with her on Friday to discuss our future treatment.

Maternity Ward Tour

On Monday evening we headed back to the hospital to get more information on the maternity ward and process and other things we need to do in the next three months.

I wasn't really sure what to expect.  One nice thing about the whole pregnancy process for me is that it is new to both of us and I have no experience of the UK system so nothing to compare it to really.  We're learning as we go along and with advice from friends and colleagues which feels really nice.

The evening started with the head midwife and one of the doctors giving a talk in a lecture theatre and taking questions.  This bit was especially good for me as I learnt lots of vocabulary that will be useful - although I am not sure I will remember it all while in labour...  The process made everything seem much more real and a little scary but nothing too bad. For the parts that did worry me, I felt it was better to have time to consider them rather than have them sprung on me during labour.  It was great to be able to imagine the labour a little more clearly though.

After the questions we were taken on a tour of the maternity ward.  There is a waiting area with warmed seats and then several birth rooms which were, for my expectations, very modern and spacious.  Each one has a big bed and a bath for water births.  They have been renovated fairly recently and have lots of modern equipment.  The dimmed lights made them seem quite calming and I hope it has the same effect in June.

The post-birth process was also explained to us.  There are rooms where you can stay with one other mother and baby for two to five days depending how the birth goes.  

All in all, I was really impressed with the system and the facilities and am looking forward to going back while on maternity leave to formally register there.  We got lots of information so now it is onto the search for a midwife!

Pregnancy Advice

While I feel really blessed that we are expecting a little one in June, what has surprised me the most about being pregnant is how scary it can be.  I always knew that the idea of giving birth can be quite scary but I didn't expect to worry quite so much for the whole nine months! 

First, you just want to get through those magical twelve weeks, and it does get easier when the morning sickness eases but there are so many things to think about that I don't think it will ever quite go away - I mean even when the baby is here there will be lots to worry about.

As the time draws closer, I am finally starting to but some of the worrying aside and start to get excited and I thought I would share some of my sources of information and inspiration with you today.

I check out most of the technical stuff here and here.

Many of my favourite blogs also have many posts on their experiences with pregnancy and parenthood.  You can see them here, here and here.

Apart from that, of course friends and family who have been through pregnancy can be invaluable - especially close family as you obviously share a medical history.

If you are like me and experiencing this in a whole new setting, it can be useful to network with friends and colleagues.  I am incredibly lucky that we have had nine babies born at our school since I started working there, five colleagues currently pregnant, and some of those are also to bilingual parents so I have a wealth of information which is handy when trying to navigate the complex German way of doing things.

Most of all, try to relax and if you are really worried about something - go to the doctor.  They must be used to lots of worried mums but safe is always better than sorry.

Yoga

Since the start of the year I have been back on the yoga mat, this time indulging in some Buddha Bellies pregnancy yoga.  So far I am still on the thirty minute beginners section but I am loving it.  It's soooo relaxing and I have been doing it every Sunday so far so that I don't feel lazy when we stay in because of the weather.

In February, I will no longer be teaching on an evening so I plan to do yoga twice a week - the thrity minute session on a Wednesday afternoon and the forty five minute intermediate part on a Sunday.  I hope it will also help to prepare me for labour but at the moment I am just enjoying the relaxation both in my muscles and my mind.