My name is Astrid, I am 34
years old, of Dutch nationality and married to Jan (Dutch as well)
and together we have 3 children: Marie 4 years, Theo 3 years and
Elsa now 1 year old and I will talk about this particular
pregnancy.
Was it difficult to be
pregnant in France far from home and from your family?
I have been in France since
December 1994 and our children are born in Toulouse. I did not
find it difficult to be pregnant in France far away from home and
family. One of the reasons may be that I already lived her for
quite some time when I got pregnant, I had a job and some friends
and I managed well in French. However, there are some differences
between the Dutch and French system. In France giving birth is
mostly considered as a medical act, whereas Dutch women have a
choice: either go to hospital (24 hours stay) or give birth at
home in their own environment with the assistance of a midwife
and/or doctor. In both cases a nurse will take care of mother and
child during the following week.
Did you choose to be
followed by a gynaecologist or by a mid-wife?
I chose
to be followed by my doctor until 6th month of pregnancy
(waiting list with my gynaecologist too long !) and thereafter
immediately to hospital Joseph Ducuing in Toulouse. This is hospital
with a small maternity of 20 individual rooms. My choice for this
particular hospital was merely on advice of my gynaecologist and Marie
and Theo were born there as well. At my first pregnancy I followed a
childbirth course at the hospital but I decided not to go during this
pregnancy.
Could you narrate how
you went into labour : was it during the day or the night? Was Ian panic or well-prepared? How did you feel ? Worried, afraid, or calm?
Delivery was pre-programmed in
the morning because I was 4 days over term. I was well prepared, a
little bit nervous but I knew what was going to come. My husband
was my coach. Labour lasted 5 hours under epidural anesthesia. I
think I could have had the opportunity to bath but I preferred to
stay in bed. Staff were nice and professional. The delivery went
well on the natural way and I was very grateful to discover our
daughter who was in perfect health. I stayed 4 days in hospital
and was really eager to go home to be with our children again.
Both families came to see us after Elsa’s birth and they enjoyed
their stay. Currently I have a full time job at home..
