Being pregnant in Finland - experiences

[Gigi]

Hi Amandine,

CONGRATULATIONS! I hope everything went fine and that you enjoy every little minute with your little one.

With me everything is fine, just very busy. I am now 25 weeks and sleeping starts being a problem. If anybody has any tips concerning sleeping better... All tips are welcome. I especially get (muscles)cramps in my belly every time I turn around... which is quite often, as falling asleep is not that easy anymore!

But Amandine... congratulations again and I'll send you a PB concerning those clothes!

Gigi

[Amandine.K]

Have you tried sleeping with a nursing pillow? It did the trick for me (well for a while... I got so big at the end that nothing was helping anymore).

[Olga]

I do the circular massage with the fists on both sides the belly, like Thomas the tank engine - the necessity to do it came out somehow unconsciously in the very beginning of pregnancy, so I can sit/stand for a while without even thinking I look like a locomotive Suppose it works against belly cramps.

As to sleeping, I have two extra pillows - one more for the head, one for in between the knees, plus two thick towels - one on each side of the body, so that they support the circumference of the belly. At least this works for me, as having 39 weeks, I can make 12-hours sleep marathons (and did almost daily after the start of maternity leave).

[Gigi]

Thank you for the tips! As I am between jobs and waiting for my maternity leave, I have the time to do 12-hours sleep marathons! I'll try some extra pillows next night! But I have been considering buying also the nursing pillow, but they only have the small (pre-formed) ones here in the neighborhood, and I would like to have the big one... So I have to look on the net for that one!

Greetz!

[Olga]

Got to know that induced labour is done in Finland at 42+2 or 16 days later after the due date.

[Gigi]

Hello!

The pillows helped a lot! Although I think I might get that nursing pillow... just because it looks so comfy.

But I have again some questions...

We are going to IKEA next week (a weekend trip for us, as we have to drive for 500km) to buy some babystuff. I was wondering if there are any babyshops close to IKEA which are worth visiting? We are planning to go to Jumbo too.

Although our baby is going to be born in winter, I am not planning to stay inside with the baby all the time. I am even considering the "sleeping outside" idea. How do you dress your child for winter? I have got the feeling that Finnish women overdress their children, I noticed it especially with my own godchild who was from time to time really sweating. So how do you dress your child when you want to go walking with him/her in middle of winter?

Thank you all for your advice!

Greetings,

Gigi

PS: How is the baby doing Amandine?

[LottaP]

I was wondering if there are any babyshops close to IKEA which are worth visiting? We are planning to go to Jumbo too.

I presume you're going to the Vantaa Ikea instead of the Espoo one because you mention Jumbo... It might be worthwhile going to Lastentarvike in Tammisto, which is a 5-10 min drive from the Vantaa Ikea. I've never been there but they always have ads in Helsingin Sanomat and based on the website the Tammisto shop seems to be really big, 1000 m2.

[Gigi]

Thanks LottaP. I think we might visit that big Lastentarvike. I can't wait until Friday... Finally some real shopping!

[Olga]

In Varisto there are several shops with staff for babies. We personally liked more visiting Lastenturva this summer - the range of the products was pretty vast in comparison to other shops that reserve the majority of space for prams and strollers.

[Clau]

Hi gals,
I am 16 weeks pregnant and very happy about it !
I would like to know if anybody have tips about antenatal classes in english, yoga classes in english and also about any place where I could get a professional massage for pregnant woman.

I am in Töölö, I found a very close and very nice yoga class http://www.jooga.fi/pdf/aitiysjooga.pdf but is a bit pricy for me...

PS: Gigi, how are you doing? I have been reading your posts for a long time... Hope you and your baby are doing great, and willing to hear some news soon All the best,
Claudia

[stellal]

expecting a baby at the end of this year! pretty excited about it

[Gigi]

Congratulations Stellal and Claudia.

I can't help with any antenatal classes in English, because first of all I live too much East and here they don't organize antenatal at all, not in Finnish, not in English. They only thing we have here is a visit + lecture at the hospital, which last about 2h.

But I joined a Finnish moms-group and did some mom-aerobics, which was really nice.

And now we are counting until the due-date... Less then 4 weeks away... I am excited, nervous and a bit stressed...

Greetings,

GIGI

PS: How are the other new-moms / pregnant moms doing?

[Amandine.K]

How exciting Gigi! A few weeks to go and you'll hold your precious bundle of joy! I'm sure everything will go fine

Aaron just turned 3 months and he's still as cute as ever, very good in general. Now if only he could sleep through the night it'll be perfect

For the classes in English my advice would be to check the board at your neuvola, they have ads in the Munkkiniemi one.

[sabrina_fi]

Dear Gigi,
My angent is a 50+ old lady, she told me today the moment of her first child birth given is the best one in her life!! As time flies, many old memories fades, but definiately not that day and that moments. She counld not help crying heavily when get hold of her baby at the first time.
Your moment is not far away, Confratulations:)
Sabrina

[Amandine.K]

I would like to know if anybody have tips about antenatal classes in english, yoga classes in english and also about any place where I could get a professional massage for pregnant woman.

I went to neuvola today and had a look for you. There is antenatal classes in English in Hertoniemi terveyskeskus. You need to phone there and ask when is the next session.