On February 17th, I had a positive pregnancy test. I hate the term "trying" when referring to having a baby. My reality is that I have a healthy relationship with my husband. We made a conscious effort for me to go off birth control. These types of decisions, more often than not, produce babies. So, we are having a baby. I am excited and very nervous. Yes, I already have a 3 year old so I should know what to expect, right? Wrong. First of all, every pregnancy is different, as is every baby. Secondly, in my mind, when it comes to children one and one makes twelve, not two. I feel like adding another to this already comfortable set of three is going to be trying and interesting... and fun.
So I am living in England and I am going to have a baby. No big deal... or so I thought. Americans!!! Listen to me NOW!!! Socialized healthcare? SO NOT AS GOOD AS IT SOUNDS. The idea is fantastic, yes. Everyone being able to get free healthcare. And if you have the common cold or an ear infection, indeed this idea of going to a clinic with your children for free is easy and stress free. But if something major happens, like oh, having a baby, its darn near impossible to get anything done. I estimate I am around 9 weeks. You think, "you're 9 weeks, shouldn't you know when your due date is?" If I was in the states, yes. Because I would call my OB/GYN, schedule and appointment, show up for that appointment, get and exam and an ultrasound and BOOM! Doneskies. However, I am in England. I make an appointment with the surgery (clinic) down the street, show up for the appointment, meet my very, very, old doctor. He asks me a few questions about my health. Tells me to make an appointment with the midwife, who will meet me at my house. No exam. No ultrasound. No information. I make the appointment with the midwife and she never shows up. I call the surgery and they say I have to meet her there for the first appointment, not at my house.
I don't know. Maybe I am being irrational. But I am 9 weeks pregnant, I think. And I have no answers. So while England has great tea, wonderful pastries, and pretentiously spells random words with a "u" (reference to Britney Mann's blog)... it seems to have a mediocre, if that, healthcare system.
