Giving Birth in Spain: Are the Horror Stories True?

32 Weeks

Soon after I found I was pregnant, I began looking online for forums, websites, articles, anything that would give me tips on what it was like to have a baby in Spain. Here are some quotes from an article found at http://www.expatica.com/:

"I had found a birthing position that worked well for me when I had my first son in England. It was a completely ordinary position, but you would have thought that I had asked the doctor if he could come into the woods with me and light joss-sticks from his reaction!"

"I was put on my back with my legs in stirrups."

When she didn't want to forcibly push because she didn't want to tear, the female doctor on duty told her: 'With the volume of deliveries that we have here we haven't got time to wait until you're ready to push."

She (a Spanish midwife) is highly critical of the childbirth system here, describing it as over-'medicalised'.
"It is all defensive medicine with the idea being this is dangerous; let's get this baby out as fast as we can," she says.
"Natural birth is about being patient and waiting. Here almost everyone is induced. Almost everyone is given episiotomies and the drug oxytocin.
"Women can't eat and drink. A drip is stuck into her with glucose. The worst thing is a woman being on her back without being able to move which is the worst position to have a baby in."

But here is one encouraging quote:
According to Eurostat figures, in 2004, infant mortality in Spain was 0.35 percent of births, compared to an EU average of 0.45 and the UK's 0.51. (Read full article here.)

So as you can imagine, I've been somewhat anxious about what my birthing experience will be. My midwife from the states has emailed me a few times and she recommended a birthing position that would help me prevent tearing. So at one appointment, I thought I'd see if any of the stuff I'd read was true. I asked my doctor if it's true that women in Spain can't choose their birthing position. Her response? "Oh no. You'll be on your back with your legs in stirups." Smile.

With Renae I had quite a few complications all relating to my somewhat messed up pelvic bone structure, plus a few other things. Basically, if this baby is big, my midwife in the states said I'm pretty likely to have the exact same problems (which I'm trying to avoid this time around). Even in the states, with what happened last time, many women are often given the choice to do a c-section the 2nd time around.

Here I'm not yet sure what will happen. The upside of a c-section is it's planned, my recovery will be much better than last time because I won't have the other recovery plus the run over by a truck feeling you get from a long labor. The downside of a c-section is your husband cannot be in the room with you. This is a strict rule they follow to a T. Trust me. I've asked. And of course, it would mean future births would be c-sections too.

The upside of delivering naturally (and natural for me includes an epidural for sure!) is that the labor could go much faster than last time (too many hours to count), and our little boy could be much smaller, thus easier to push out. Plus, the way they do episiotomies in all of Europe is different than in the US, and would actually help me out quite a bit.

But for me, it all really comes down to getting a healthy baby. I've come to the conclusion that I can't control what will happen and I just need to be OK with that. Spain has a very low infant mortality rate, and babies are born healthy everyday. So although the process of getting here might not be that great, Baby Boy Masson is pretty likely to arrive safe and sound eventually. I can deal with the aftermath. Plus, honestly, the whole birth experience for me is not some big emotional event (which is weird because I'm usually a big sentimental person and I'm also a huge feeler). It's just something you gotta do if you want a baby. :)

More articles about giving birth in Spain:
http://www.womeninspain.com/birth-in-spain.aspx
http://kellycrull.com/personal/giving-birth-in-spain/
http://www.expatica.com/es/essentials_moving_to/essentials/10-things-to-prepare-before-giving-birth-in-Spain_12980.html

To end on a happy note, here are a few pics of Renae from some potty training we did this week.


She loves eating melons!



See?

A Trip to the Real Cinderella Castle

This is the Cinderella Castle at Walt Disney World



. . . And THIS is the real Cinderella Castle-Neuschwanstein Castle


Neuschwanstein Castle was built in the 1880's. King Ludwig II of Bavaria comissioned it in honor of his friend Richard Wagner. It was designed by a famous set designer, not an architect which explains why it has such a fantasy type look to it. Ironically, King Ludwig only lived there about 162 days. He was labeled insane and then found a few days later, dead in a lake with his psychiatrist. The deaths are still a mystery to this day, but it's supposed that his death was part of a coup.


Only a third of the rooms were completed and within a few weeks of Ludwig's death, the castle became a museum and has been one ever since.

Our first glimpse of the castle!

On our day off, we took a half day trip to the castle and we were glad we did. Although it was a little chaotic at times (try organizing a trip for 50 plus parents and kids!) the scenary was beautiful and it's always nice to see a famous landmark.

A view from a castle room . . . no wonder Ludwig picked this spot!

Pictures weren't aloud within the castle, but I did sneak this one of Renae climbing the princess steps in one of the towers.

The castle kitchen . . . can you even imagine?

Walking down the long road to the buses.

There were a few great view points along the way.

You could even catch a ride in a horse drawn carriage! (For 6 euros a person . . . )

You can see Renae has time to stop for a cheese face picture . . .

"Renae, you wear my new hat."

"No Daddy, YOU wear it."

"OK. You're right. I look the best in it."

Guten Tag!

After some very serious thought and consideration, we've decided we are going to move to Bavaria, Germany. It doesn't matter we don't speak German or have a job there. It's just where we want to live. OK, we're not really moving but we all can dream can't we?


View of the Bavarian Alps

We returned from a week long conference in Germany and fell in love with the scenary. Every day we were able to look out the large windows in the conference center and see something similar to the scene above. The weather was much cooler than it is here in Spain, and everything was greener! What a nice change of pace for early August. I'll be posting more pictures of the scenary from our day off in a later post.

Everyday we experienced great Germany food, buffet style. I think I had meat and potatoes almost twice a day! Renae did a great job eating the variety of food we gave her.


And she even learned how to drink out of a wine glass . . .



Renae and her friend a year and a half ago . . .



. . . And the two cuties in Germany!

This time they actually played with each other and had a great time.



The four friends back in January . . .



And here they are in August!

Seriously, Renae had so much fun running and playing around with these 3. And we had a blast hanging out with their parents!



Me and my favorite guy, with the view from our hotel behind us. Gorgeous. (I'm talking about the view . . . .)

Checkmate.

We found a huge chess board on one of the roofs of the hotel. There was also a sand volleyball court up there! Crazy! Renae enjoyed moving the big chess pieces all over the board.

Plotting her next move . . .

Renae the daredevil

We were able to enjoy the indoor pool a few times and of course, Renae was a fish. She has really gotten better at kicking her little legs all over the pool, and jumping into the water (even when we're not looking!)

"Hey David!!"

Renae's best buddy David couldn't come in and swim, but he had fun watching from the outside.

Daddy and Renae had a cold one day so they skipped out and rested . . .

More to come later!

My First Hair Cut

I'm back! My Mom has been the main blogger for quite awhile, but because we're leaving for Germany tomorrow, she let me do a post. I'd like to tell you about my first hair cut.


"Mom . . . you're letting Dad use those scissors on me??"

Last weekend when my Crazy Uncle Lance and Aunt Kristi were here, Daddy decided it was time to give my hair a trim. I must admit, I was getting tired of Mom constantly messing with the hair in my eyes or on my neck. So I guess Dad knew what he was talking about when he said I needed a hair cut.


"I've got candy to eat while this thing happens . . . not too shabby."

Mommy of course whipped out the camera to take pictures while Daddy chopped away. I heard my Nana tell Mom that she didn't trust Daddy to cut my hair well beacuse of how he cuts his own hair. I kind of like Daddy's summer hair cut. It's soft and fuzzy.



"Had I known he was going to give me crooked bangs, I'd have asked for a refund."

Overall, the haircut turned out pretty good. I have less hair in my eyes, and my neck doesn't get so hot. Did you know that it's REALLY hot here?? We stayed inside a lot this week in our diapers. Well, I wore my diaper most of the time. Don't worry, I'm not saying Mommy and Daddy have diapers, much less wear them at home!! But we did do whatever we could to stay cool.



"Just about done!"

We're off to Germany tomorrow where the weather looks like it'll be a lot cooler. I can't wait to see old friends!!

I Finally Went to a Bullfight

Bullfighting is a very Spanish, very cultural thing to see here. I've avoided going a long as possible. Whenever a fight is on TV, I have to change the channel because it grosses me out. However, we were given 4 free tickets to a bullfight last Sunday, and there were 4 adults so . . . I really didn't have a good excuse not to go.


The "picador" is the man on the horse who must stab the bull with his spear thingy.



Renae seemed to have no problem enjoying the "aminals" in the ring. No matter the bulls kept getting killed . . .



She even clapped each time the crowd did. "Yay a bull died!"



Yeah . . . Kristi and I weren't so sure how we felt about all of it.

This guy got gored in the leg!!! But he finished it and ended up doing such a good job that the master of ceremonies guy cut off one of the bull's ear and gave it to him. If a matador receives 1 ear, it means he's done very well. If he receives 2 ears, it means he's done an amazing job.

Two of our favorite people in the world. Seriously.

Come On Baby!

In December we had one set of good friends come see us, and this past weekend, we had the other set come see us. We are so blessed!!


Kristi and the Preggo in the Plaza Mayor.



Jesse and I-can't-take-a-normal-picture-Lance in the Plaza Mayor

P.S. Valerie, Kristi and I took a picture in front of the palace with "you" in it. But it's on their camera so they'll have to do the photo shop to get you in it. You enjoyed it. I promise. :)

Who knew we had access to Mt. Dew?

Lance, Mr. Statue, and Jesse. All in serious Nacho thought.

On Friday we headed to the waterpark where we all fried. Literally. We had a long relaxing day in the sun and on the slides (even me! I sucked in my tummy so I could do just one ride.) and in the wavepool. Again, Renae was a fish. By the end of the day, Lance, Kristi and I were burned to a crisp. And yes, we used sunscreen.

Kristi is laughing about something, and Renae is trying to help.

After a long day at the pool, we celebrated 3 birthdays within a month of each other. I sang all by myself.

Saturday was a special day so Renae needed to get dolled up.

It was special because we went and ate amazing burgers at Alfredos Bar-b-que!! (Going there is like a quick trip back to the states.)

Riding on the bus to do tapas.

Enjoying the churros just a bit too much . . .

There is more to come. Check back later.

Another Year Older

Jesse turned 28 on the 14th and we took the day to relax and celebrate!
With Renae at a friends house for a few hours, we headed to Retiro.

Enjoying my favorite Spanish summer time drink. (Ice, sugar and lemon. Yummy.)

Jesse opened up his cards from Penni and Kevin, and Grandma and Maynard.

What a better way to spend your birthday than rowing a pregnant woman around in a rowboat! I can't complain. It was pretty nice.

We thought it would be fun to make Jesse look like a shmuck for making his pregnant wife row the boat . . . I lasted about 5 minutes . . . and we mostly went in circles.

A statue of a mermaid (not a merman) killing some kind of fish. Nice.

This is the closest I've been to the Alfonso the XII monument.

Spanairds like to make out in public. I consented to a quick kiss on the cheek.

A rare family photo . . .

After our afternoon date, we picked up Renae and headed to a friend's pool for an hour of cooling off. Renae continues to be quite the fish and loves to be in the water. Then, we went home where I made a nice healthy American meal of Chic-fil-A esque fried chicken, and homemade french fries. We topped it off with homemade angel food cake, strawberries and ice cream. Not a bad day.