Day 30: Just like I imagined it…

I had my first appointment at the maternity home I hope to have this baby in this afternoon. I was a bit tense, because I’d really set my heart on that place without ever having been there in person, and I was afraid I might be disappointed.
I wasn’t, at all. I arrived, and was greeted at the door by the midwife, who introduced herself straight away using her first name (and the “informal” version of “you” – a big thing in Germany, a lot of my colleagues at work still call me Mrs S.; inviting somebody to use your first name and call you “du” is often seen as a big occasion). Firstly, she showed me around, and that place is gorgeous! You can see some photos on the website above if you click about a bit, and it really does look like that in real life as well. It’s done up like a big flat – there are two birthing rooms, both painted in lovely warm colours, and with beds all made up with colourful duvets and loads of pillows. You couldn’t be any further away from a hospital if you tried. Then there’s a big bathroom with a huge round tub you can also birth in, a room for the courses (I signed up for my antenatal course straight away!) and a reception room. I immediately felt really at home and comfortable there.
The midwife made us a coffee (!) which we then took into the reception room, where we just chatted for like 45 minutes. The whole conversation was really relaxed, and yet informative. At no point did I get the feeling that she was rushed, or presenting me with a speech she’s learned off by heart. She was friendly and interested in me, and yet at the same time made me feel that she knew what she was doing, was competent and an expert in her field. She honextly told me the limitations they have there – situations in which I won’t even be allowed to try giving birth there (high blood pressure, breech position, etc.) and what they would do if I was there and things weren’t going the way we planned. They have limited resources for emergencies (oxygen for the baby, infusions etc.) but obviously they aren’t a hospital, and sometimes (but rarely) they reach their limits, at which point they are well-prepared for a transfer to somewhere better equipped. What I also like is that they always try to handle potential problems with natural methods (acupuncture, homeopathy), and I really got the impression they treat each person as an individual. She also mentioned that they don’t have any real schedule for a birth – as long as the baby and I are well, it doesn’t matter whether at what speed I’m dilating or anything…
Sorry, I’m waffling now, but I was just so impressed with the whole thing. I’m going for my first proper check up there on the 17th (cancelling the appointment with the psycho gyno from hell ;o), but today, the midwife felt my stomach, and actually told me where the head was, and we heard the heartbeat for the first time! Just little things, that made the whole thing seem more personal…
Anyway, I’m now praying even more for a healthy pregnancy, so that I can have my baby there!!
And, in other news, I just successfully completed NaBloPoMo!!! Hooray!!! And now I’m going to Marc’s parents’ for the weekend, and I won’t be posting at all!! Muahahahaha!

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