Birthing Overseas
The prospect of giving birth in a country where you don’t speak the language or have family and friends surrounding you can be a daunting one. When I got pregnant with our second child, Joe had already signed a contract to be in Italy for the season. With a due date in April, I could have gone back to the U.S. to have the baby and Joe would have been back a few weeks later. But for us, Joe being at the birth and also being able to play basketball were big priorities. So we made the decision to trust that God would provide for the delivery and birth in Italy. You can find my birth story with Elijah here.
When I got pregnant with our third child, Joe was not yet under contract. I was once again due in April, and again we wanted to have the baby overseas so we could all be together. When Joe got the offer to go to Turkey, I was hesitant. But I knew God would provide what we needed. After arriving in Bandirma, I was a little less sure. I debated heading back home, but I knew I was going to see God act in an awesome way through this birth. You can find the birth story of Naomi here.
When a year a half had passed after Naomi’s birth we were surprised we were pregnant once again. This time the due date was in early may and Joe was once again under contract in Italy for the season. After some prayer and thought, we felt the wise thing to do was to have me come home to have the baby to have the help of family and friends with our three other children. We were taking a gamble in having Joe present for the birth though. The only way he would be home at the beginning of May would be if his team came in first place in Lega Due. Plus I could always go before my due day (which had never happened before, but you never know!) Thankfully God showed Himself as beyond merciful once again and after praying all season for a first place finish (which at many times did not look like it would happen), Joe’s team won the league, he was home 4 days before my due date and I delivered a week late. To read my birth story with Isaiah, click here.
March 2004: Abigail's Birth Day
Some of the main differences I experienced with having a baby in the States (which I did also with our first, Abby) and having a baby overseas, were the following:
1. You are provided with much less in the hospital for yourself and the baby. I had to provide clothing, diapers, and even a crib for the baby. For myself, I had to bring my own gown, nursing pads, personal care, food and drink, and even toilet paper! It will depend where you are, so check to see what the hospital provides.
2. Doctors may do different tests (either more or less). You have to be flexible to know that different countries may do things differently, so your doctor may not follow the schedule you find on websites from the U.S.
3. There is typically a lower recommendation on weight gain overseas. While the U.S. may give a range of 25-35 pounds, 10 kilograms (22 pounds) is often given as the upper limit where I have given birth.
4. The hospital stay may be different than in the U.S. In Italy, Elijah was not allowed to be in the room with me. In contrast, the hospital in Turkey had no nursery. I was not able to shower in either of the hospitals and the beds were not the most comfortable.
5. There are different philosophies on medication depending on where you are. In Italy, an epidural was never even discussed, while in Turkey they were pushed on me much more and having a vaginal birth was uncommon.
6. When I gave birth in Turkey, Joe was not permitted to be with me. Check and see if husbands are allowed to support their wives or not.
Birth can be done anywhere! Find out as much information as you can, so you aren’t caught off guard. Each and every place has its positives and negatives. And each country may have a different experience depending on what city you are in. If you want any more information on birthing overseas, please send me a message through my Contact Me page.
