My African Pregnancy: Third Trimester

My third trimester being pregnant with baby #2 has thankfully been uneventful.  I have seen my doctor every 4 weeks, then 2 weeks and now every week.  The baby is measuring ahead and according to my doctor will be a "big baby".  Though she states he/she will be between 7-8lbs when born, that is not big by American standards but I guess it is for Africa.  Ultrasound measurements put the baby's feet over 3 inches long, no wonder it can kick so forcefully.  I have seen some chubby cheeks, hair, and even fat rolls on the ultrasound.  Overall, the baby is doing really well and I am thankful the doctor never let the baby's gender slip so we can be surprised when he/she is born.

The other week I also took a tour of the hospital.  I was glad to see that the labor and delivery rooms were pretty much the same.  Though after the baby is born, you are either put in a room with 3 other moms and their babies or hope to get a private room.  I can't imagine trying to get any sleep in a room with 3 other possibly crying babies, but if it is just for 1-2 nights, I can manage.  Mark also won't be able to stay over at the hospital which is fine with me since Adalyn would enjoy being at home with him.  If this was baby #1, I might be more hesitant.  I was surprised by the mother/baby items the hospital provides, originally thinking I would have to bring an entire nursery along.  It was also interesting to see that when the babies are in the nursery they put them in an incubator to keep them warm, instead of swaddling them and leaving them in the rolling bassinet.

Most of their procedures seem to be very similar to what I experienced in America.  Such as when to call the doctor, options for pain relief, delivery processes, and postpartum care.  One appreciated change is that you can eat and drink whatever you want during labor.  I am relieved knowing that I have at least done this before with Adalyn so I have an idea of what I am getting myself into, just not sure of how it will go in a different country.  One aspect that is different is their procedures for a circumcision.  It is not common in South Africa for boys to have circumcisions so they do not perform this procedure at the hospital.  A few weeks after birth I would have to take the baby to a pediatric surgeon to have the circumcision.  Some of the immunizations are a little different, such as the tuberculosis vaccine, and sometimes offered at different stages.  I have my list of when babies are given what in America so I hope to stick to it as close as possible plus add in anything extra recommended for babies here.

With my pregnancy winding down, I am thankful for how smooth this last trimester has gone.  I am still able to golf, walking 9 holes each week and I'm able to keep up with Adalyn.  She has learned that I cannot carry her and that I have to sit down more often.  Adalyn is a mama's girl and before this pregnancy wanted me to do everything so it is nice to see her take to Mark more and their bond strengthen.  Adalyn came at 38 weeks and I think that sounds like a good time for baby #2 to make it's appearance, though my doctor thinks she will see me at my 39 week appointment.  We are excited for this new addition to our family and to share it with our friends and family.

Thankfully the golf course does not enforce their rules that everyone has to
wear a collared shirt since I can't find one to fit my belly.  

Best $2 for an hour of work I have ever spent

Before moving to Africa we knew that by American standards labor would be considerably cheaper.  Little did we realize how hard the workers would work for the amount they are paid.  I have seen such hard work in our domestic, Joyce, and our gardener, Obit.  When looking for a house, we wanted one with a large lawn so Adalyn would have plenty of room to play.  We also wanted a private back yard and I feel like we got exactly what we were looking for with our home.

Of course with Mark gone from 5:30am to 6pm every week day, he was not up to doing yard work on the weekends.  With the vast amount of labor workers willing to do just about anything we figured a gardener was perfect.  Originally the owners of our house hired a gardening service.  It consisted of a group of 5 men with their own equipment doing about an hour of work mowing, trimming, racking, etc each week.  I did not have much luck with communication between myself and the group of men, nor the owner of the company so we parted ways.  Part of the gardening service also provided pool care, where 2 additional men would come once per week to brush the pool, adjust the chemicals and clean the filtration system.  Since they were a part of the gardening service we severed ties with them at the same time.

I did not have any luck finding another gardening service but thankfully we found Obit through our neighbors who have had him as their gardener for 3 years and the neighbors across the street have employed him for 14 years.  Both of which had nice lawns so we gave it a shot.  Obit comes to our home from 8:30-3:30 every Wednesday for $16 US.  He originally cost $15 but told me that every March he gets a $1 raise, and I was quite proud of him for asking for a raise so we upped his pay.

Luckily our home also came with quite a few gardening tools and an electric mower.  I rarely see a gas mower here, every gardener is carrying an extension cord over their shoulder as they mow.  It is also customary to bag all clippings, which to me seems time consuming but when telling a neighbor that in the US we would let the clippings shoot out the mower and lay on the lawn, he gave me a look of disgust.  Another time consuming tasks is weeding the driveway.  Most driveways here are brick so weeds pop up between the bricks constantly.  Obit will spray them but then sits on a paint can and individually pulls out each weed in our large 3 car drive way.

Of course he is trimming the bushes, raking the leaves, but he also takes care of our sprinklers which seem to need a new pipe or head every month.  He will plant whatever flowers or plants I come home with and even cut down a dead tree for us.  I was quite surprised he cut down an entire tree with a hatchet in the matter of a day, pulling out the stump with his bare hands and all.

Obit cut down a tree between these two, almost as tall.  I was impressed.

I was wondering what we would do with the tree, but he preceded to cut it up and Joyce took it home for fire wood.  The trash company here will take all our clippings and dead limbs, which is nice since I am not sure where I could even dispose of them.

Every week Obit also cleans our pool.  He brushes it and I take care of the chemicals and cleaning the filter system.  Obit will do anything I ask of him, though he will not sit at the table to eat his lunch.  He prefers to sit in the grass, but at least he enjoys my cooking, or maybe he complains to Joyce but since they talk in another language I have no idea.  Occasionally I cannot understand Obit's English so we will communicate through Joyce and everyone has a good laugh at it.  I also cannot get Obit to use our restroom, or in fact come into the house, even when it's raining.  If I am talking to him in the front lawn and want to show him something in the back, though it's quicker to go through the house, he won't do it and always walks around.

Obit wears a blue uniform every time he comes, which is common among most of the gardeners.  Adalyn thinks every man we see in a blue uniform in Obit, and will wave and call his name at them.  I have actually enjoyed seeing the friendship between all the gardeners in the neighborhood.  Obit will stop to chat with them, and they always wave at me when I drive by.  Some people have their gardener work every day so it's nice to see such friendly faces all the time.  I have probably met more gardeners than I have neighbors.

Obit is very quite but with a huge smile greeting me daily.  Since he is not much of a talker, I don't know a whole lot about him but he did say that his wife works at a hospital and he has 3 grown children who live near him in a township called Mamelodi.  Obit will take the taxis everyday as his walk would be 2+ hours each way.  He is a wonderful worker and very nice man.  Adalyn enjoys following him around the lawn, using her own broom when he is sweeping and helping him pull weeds.  I am very thankful to have found him and enjoy seeing him at the neighbor's home throughout the week.

Mark, there's a monkey on your back

This past weekend we traveled to the Haartbeesport area to visit the Bush Babies Monkey Sanctuary.  A little more pricey than most of the adventure we take, but worth a visit.  Guided tours run every hour and last about an hour.  We had the most knowledgeable guide, who would point out monkeys by their name despite the fact that the entire place held about 110 monkeys currently.  Before entering the huge enclosure we were advised to not bring food and to watch our pockets as the monkeys are quite smart and know where to look.

The entire enclosure has multiple walking paths lined with huge trees and a few streams.  It did not take long to see our first monkey and though most of the monkeys are not friendly to the point where they come up to you, they don't scamper away either.

The guide gave detailed info about each type of monkey and how they are taken care of in the sanctuary.  Most of the monkeys are donated from those who tried to raise them as pets but failed along with a few abused monkeys.  All are roaming free together in this huge habitat and feed mostly on the items they would normally find in the wild with some supplemental food given as well.

As we made our way down the track, the guide would have us change courses if he saw a larger grouping of monkeys ahead.  Around a bend and there was one particular friendly monkey who walked right along the path with us.  They the monkey got curious and started to reach into people's pockets before it noticed that Mark had a bag on his back.  In the matter of seconds, the monkey jumped on Mark's back, unzipped the bag and started rummaging around.  The monkey was not too thrilled when the guide came over and made him get down.

Down a few more paths and across some beautiful swing bridges we saw some lemurs high in the trees.

 I was surprised that with about 110 monkeys we did not see more, but of course they are constantly on the move too.  Some great views could be seen through the sanctuary and given that most of it was shaded by the trees, it made for a good walk.  Adalyn ejoyed spotting the monkeys and running ahead to explore the area.

The guide kept mentioning how they are not getting as many visitors as they would like and are having to come up with new ideas on how to increase their income.  I will say that for about an hour and a half of fun, $20 per adult was a little high compared to most of the activities we have done in the area.  It was a nice morning and something different to do.  I hope they are able to stay open as their whole concept of allowing the monkeys to live in as normal of a habitat as possible is inspiring.

Our little African fish

Prior to our arrival in South Africa we enrolled Adalyn in swim lessons as she has no fear of water and I figured we would have a pool at our house, so I thought lessons were in order.  We attended an 4 week session where we went two times per week to a local community center in KC for group lessons.  Adalyn enjoyed the experience, but I did not think the instructors were very thorough nor paid good attention.  Mark or I would be in the pool with Adalyn and of course she did not want to follow our instruction the entire 45 minutes.  We left the states with little faith in her new swimming abilities and hoped to find something better in South Africa.

Two months after moving here, we enrolled Adalyn in swim lessons and she took off.  I was skeptical that the 20 minute swim lesson that she would share with another 3 year old and an instructor would accomplish much in that time frame, but I have been proven wrong.  Once a week we venture about 10 minutes down the highway to an indoor heated pool that has graduated levels in the pool to help teach different aspects.  Adalyn jumped right in and of course listens much better to her instructor than her parents.

Adalyn also loves swimming with her friend, Mika, who does not speak any English but that does not hinder their playing.  I was not knowledgeable in what Adalyn should be learning, other than how to swim, but the instructor's ability to teach her new aspects each week amazes me.  She has learned to float by herself on her back, then turn over and swim, and turn back over and float.  She knows how to properly get out of the pool by herself and also how to get to the edge if she falls in.  Adalyn will dive 3 feet below to get objects, no goggles needed, and can swim unassisted for about 6 feet.  She has learned how to breath properly, something I still can't seem to figure out for myself.  Her instructor has just started showing Adalyn how to dive into the pool and it's too cute.

In a 20 minute time frame, they get a lot accomplished, Adalyn has fun and I am very pleased with her progress.  Now if I can just get her to do all the same learning aspects at home instead of wanting us to carry her around the pool.  She still does not have a fear of water, and it scares me that she knows how to take off our pool net all by herself, so a pool alarm is in our future.  I greatly enjoy watching her at lessons and it is nice how comfortable she is in the water.

I attempted to upload 2 videos but between my iphone and the blogging site, they won't go through so you can just picture my African fish in your head.

When the ambulance does not come.

I want to share an experience my domestic worker, Joyce, had as I found it eye opening as to the hardships many people face here in South Africa.

A few weeks ago, Joyce's neighbor from Zimbabwe was chasing after her 3 year old boy who then ran into the street and was struck by a car.  The government ambulance was called as well as the police but neither showed up and the boy died in his mothers arms at the scene.  Joyce said it was a horrific scene with blood everywhere and since no one in her community has a car, they could not transport the child either.  The driver of the car did not offer to take the boy to the hospital.  Of course upon Joyce telling me this story I was shocked and had a million questions as to why this would happen.

Joyce explained that there are different levels of police and ambulance services in South Africa.  I was aware of different ambulance companies as I have numbers to several that Black and Veatch has provided us with.  She said that if you do not have any money you will call the government ambulance and police department.  Joyce said that often they will take hours to arrive, if they come at all.  Joyce said she called the police once at midnight as someone had broken into her home and they did not come until the next morning.  Sadly in the case of the little boy, the government ambulance and police were called and NEVER showed.  Joyce said if you had money you could call one of the private ambulances and police officers but they would demand payment at the scene if you did not have insurance.

Joyce said these situations are not uncommon and her community has accepted it.  Joyce said that when the ambulance does arrive, often times there are other patients in there as well.  The government ambulance will act as more of a taxi to get you to the hospital and might not perform any treatment while in transit.  Joyce said that when she called for the ambulance when her daughter went into labor at night, it came 3 hours later and there were two other patients on board.  One was bleeding and the other throwing up, plus they would have to make another stop before getting to the hospital of the ambulance's choice.

For the 3 year old boy who died at the scene the man who hit him did offer to pay for his burial a week later and went to the police station to make a report.  Joyce said her community was not upset with the man for hitting the boy with his car as they believed the mother to be at fault for what happened.  Joyce said there is nothing that can be done about the ambulance and police not coming.  Complaining goes unheard and she has learned to not trust the government as she states "they don't care about their people".

I explained to Joyce about emergency services in America and felt very blessed that our system works in the fashion it does.  Death is something Joyce and her community are quite accustomed to, at any age, as that is the reality in which they live.  I hope to never need emergency medical care in the form of an ambulance and relieved to know we have the "better" private options but this is still a different country with different ways of providing care so one ever really knows.

Aquarium and Bird Park

A few weeks ago when it was quite hot outside I thought a day at the aquarium would be a nice cooler outing.  I guess I should have figured that even in South Africa the aquariums are outside, hence no air conditioning for this pregnant mama in the heat.  It turned out to be a cooler day so all was well.

After a 45 minute drive to Hartbeespoort we arrived at the aquarium when it opened.  For only $15 total our family of 3 was able to enjoy both the aquarium and the bird park.  The aquarium was showing it's age though very colorful.  Two separate buildings open to the outside housed several tanks of fish.  What was in each tank was not always clear as the identifying paper was not easily visible in the dark space.  Adalyn enjoyed looked at all the different fish, plus we had the entire space to ourselves, only seeing one other couple the entire hour we were there.

We made our way through the 2 buildings then went to see the seals outside.  They were quite friendly, coming up to the fence and talking to us.  

Further down the path was an area with an array of crocodiles, followed by a section with ducks and geese.  The ducks were happy to socialize but most of the crocodiles did not even move.  There was a small play area which Adalyn enjoyed before we headed off to the bird park down the road.

And as always in Africa, a little something extra right in the middle of the attraction

By now I should not be surprised by the fact that we are often the only ones at an attraction, for some reason either others do not venture out as early as us, or we just seem to hit up the least popular places.  The bird park was in a complex that also housed a day care, a church, a car wash, a bottle store, a restaurant and probably a few other things (typical Africa).  We walked right in, no one seemed to care to see that we had paid, and began pursuing the bird cages.  I was quite surprised by the variety of birds they housed and how friendly they were.  Several birds came up to the fence closest to us and would let us pet them.

Of course the park had it's variety of other animals as well.  

Emus just walking around, huge vultures in an open cage you could walk though, and strangely enough raccoons.  Not sure I have ever seen raccoons in a zoo setting in America, but there were 5 here for your viewing pleasure.  They had the same temperament as they do in America, always hissing and fighting with each other.  

There was a super sweet monkey that you could pet along with bunnies.

 A small pond filled with ducks and geese, including some swans and a flamingo topped it off.  It took us about an hour to view the bird park then it was off to lunch.

The outing made for a nice morning and once again we loved having it all to ourselves.  I would not recommend either place to anyone as there are better options in the area but glad we were able to see both of them.  

My African pregnancy, 2nd trimester

At the beginning of my 2nd trimester I saw my OB here in Pretoria a few days before I flew back to the states for a 5 week vacation.  I asked my OB if she wanted me to see my OB in Kansas City for the 20 week check up and ultrasound and she had some questions.  "Who does the ultrasound?"  "Where is the ultrasound performed?" "Is it a regular OB or a specialist?"  I explained to her that the ultrasound tech does the ultrasound right in the regular OB's office and then the OB comes in to verify everything is good.  My OB here in Pretoria had a puzzled look on her face when I explained this and said she would prefer that I just wait until I return at 22 weeks to get the ultrasound in Pretoria.  She explained I would see the same OB specialist that I saw at 12 weeks and she would feel better about it.  I told her that was fine with me but was thinking "I never hear of anyone questioning medical care in the states, especially from Africa".  Since I was happy with my 12 weeks ultrasound I was happy to wait until my return again.

Of course if you read some of my previous blogs, you know how my flight back to Pretoria went.  Otherwise my 5 weeks in the states went well.  Upon my return to Pretoria I did see the OB specialist here for my ultrasound.  I felt the doctor did a great job of explaining all the different aspects she was measuring and checking on.  It was a very thorough ultrasound, actually better than the one I had at 20 weeks with Adalyn in the states, and good news to report all around.  Two weeks later I saw my regular OB in Pretoria for a check up and of course another ultrasound.  At this appointment she said I would need to schedule my glucose testing at the lab.

I scheduled my glucose testing at 26 weeks and luckily I have a friend over here that is due 3 weeks before me so I can ask her about what to expect.  I was surprised to hear that South Africa does not do the traditional glucose screening test but instead does the longer glucose tolerance test.  So instead of coming to the lab, drinking the orange glucose drink and getting my blood drawn an hour later, I got to enjoy the lab for 3 hours, thankfully my friend told me to bring a book.  Upon arriving at the lab the nurse took my blood and asked why I was getting my glucose tested.  She said it was not routine for pregnant women in South Africa to get it tested unless their OB thinks there may be an issue. I told her my OB recommended it like it was routine and since it is in the states, I had no problem doing it again.

After my first blood draw, the nurse mixed up the glucose liquid in someone' s used coffee mug (not the container I would prefer but I have learned to let a few things slide while living in Africa).  After drinking it down I waited an hour, gave my 2nd blood sample, waited another hour and gave my 3rd blood sample.  At least this 3 hour process only cost me $17.30 which insurance picked up as usual.  Thankfully I passed otherwise if I had to repeat it I might just bring in my own coffee mug next time.

At 28 weeks I had another appointment with my OB which included an ultrasound again.  I have quite the collection of pictures which I love.  It is also nice to have the visual affirmation that the baby is doing well.  Plus the doctor measures every part of the baby so I get constant updates on how big he/she is growing.  This little one is measuring ahead 2.5 weeks but we will see, you never know when they are going to arrive, and measurements later on are not always the clearest.  I was suppose to get my Rogam shot at this appointment as I am O- and Mark is 0+ but South Africa is having a shortage of Rogam so it is only to be given when absolutely necessary.  My OB stated that we would wait and I would receive a larger dose after the baby is born if he/she is O+.

Right now I am a few days shy of 30 weeks along and very pleased with my medical care and how my pregnancy is progressing.  The baby is currently lying transverse, Adalyn did the same up until 34 weeks, so hopefully this baby will turn head down as well.  Adalyn is very excited for the baby to arrive and asks daily when it is coming.  She has requested a girl and is not happy when we try to tell her that we need to be prepared that there is a 50% chance it could be a boy.  She has picked out the name, Babe, regardless of it's gender.  Sadly she will be disappointed when we don't go with her chosen name. The baby's nursery is ready and hopefully we are too.