Drugs vs no drugs...

The H and I went to a parental information session yesterday, which was mainly about the different stages of labour and pain relief. The men and the women were separated at one point and we, the women, had to write down on a clip board what we expect from our husbands when going through labour, and they, the men, had to write down what they thought we would expect. Turned out to be pretty consistent across the two groups, which is good I guess.

We ended up having a bit of a discussion in the womens group about drugs though (having slightly misunderstood the task at the beginning). In a group of about 10 women, about 8 were very vocal about "as many drugs as possible, as quickly as possible", one was very clear about wishing to do as natural birth as possible, and I was the only one in the middle "it depends how I feel, and how long it goes on for..." (typical Swedish "in the middle" approach!?). All of these mothers are first timers, so I was surprised that they seemed to be so sure about this. Will be interesting to hear what actually happend if I do meet up with either of them for one of the many "post natal coffees" on offer in the area (doesn't sound to social does it, "post-natal"... why not call it "new mums" or something a bit more human??).

Anyways... what I want from the H is the following, I think....

1. Distraction - help me think about other things
2. Massage and hair stroking (NO kisses on the forehead!!)
3. Calming, reassuring, telling me what is going on
4. Knowing our birth plan at heart and being able to interpret between me and the midwifes and if needed make appropriate decisions for us if I am not able to
5. Distraction....
6. Massage....
7. Distraction....
8. Massage....
9. Distraction....
10. Massage....

etc etc etc

Week 31: Go Russia!

Ok - so Zlatan and the other football gods had a night off when we met Russia last week and got brutally thrown out of the Euro Cup. I think the entire Swedish team had a night off actually... Russia played amazing, and I am now praying to the god of Arsenal, Wenger, that he will recruit the amazing Arsja, and the other one, the blonde one who didn't seem to ever get tired and got shots in from impossible angles all the time...

Regarding the Swedish contribution... It was quite clear to me. Old men vs Young boys don't work. Old style coaching a la Lars "I am going to stick to the ancient 4-4-2 formation with the boys I know since years back even if they aren't the quickest and most creative players I have to my disposal until someone kicks me out" vs new coaching a la Guus - who seems to know his opponents better than they do themselves and ALTERS the game plan accordingly (a new concept to Lagerback I'm sure). Can we PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE get rid of Lagerback now??? I have been saying this for the last three big tournaments..... but just like Mugabe, he seems impossible to move...

Anyways - onwards and upwards and I am now hoping that Russia can win this tournament - they've showed the best spirit and played the most fun football so far.

And Wenger.... please open up the walletski and spendski some rubelski!!

Heja Sverige!

First baby thing now ordered. Not top priority on any of the "must buy lists" from the books and magz but top of my list...Yes, I know he/she will arrive too late to help us cheer the boys on in the Euro cup but never too early to start promoting "Swedish-ness" is there?

May Zlatan, the flying spagetti monster and other football gods be on our side tomorrow night!

Week 30: Help! Send out a search party!

Anybody seen my hip bones? All of a sudden they are just not there anymore... the weirdest feeling and it is freaking me out. As is my diminishing bellybutton... almost nothing there anymore. OK - I do understand this is nothing to panic about and they will come back again post baby in whatever shape... but nobody warned me about how weird it would feel to be MISSING body parts when pregnant... It has been all about this added bump, hormones, extra blood etc...

If they don't come back can you help me set up a search party please?

I love you, ich liebe dich: Zlatan Ibrahimovic!

Week 29: Holiday whilst pregnant

Just back from a ten day holiday on Sicily. Our first holiday since we got pregnant, and quite a bit different from our "normal" holidays if still absolutely lovely. We are normally quite active on our holidays but this time we focused on sleeping, reading books and playing cards... think first holiday since I was maybe 15 that I haven't had a single day ruined by hangover... quite a nice side effect really :-)

I have to give Ryan Air a bit of bad press though for being Ryan Air.... First of all they request a "fit to fly" letter from the GP from 28 weeks of pregnance and onwards, and not as all other "normal" airlines who don't need this until week 36 --> Also, they don't give families with young children priority to board, if they haven't paid the £5 extra in advance.... I felt so sorry for all the families with young children that couldn't even find seats together after having thought (logically as every other airline would give them priority) that they placed themselves in the wrong queu and then had to go to the back of the "cattle queu".....

Ryan "how else can we inconvenience you" Air....

They are cheap though, and I don't expect any extras when flying with them - BUT common sense like helping out families with young children etc doesn't really cost anything does it?