Baby Jewelry

The most important jewelry for a Surinamese baby is the "ograi krara"
Ograi means: bad eye,so the ograi krara is a to prevent a baby to be
avected by a "bad eye".A baby can get a bad eye when someone stares at
a baby with jeaulousy like :'why isn't my child like this",or
"Why couldn't my be as beautiful as this one? "or something like that.

According to our tradition the "ograi krara" protects against these
jealous eyes that could make your baby sick.This is my babies ograi
krara,she will wear it when we go out.A gold pin with consists of
three little black beads.There are many variations to the gold pin.
One bigger black bead on a gold pin is more common.

Christmas and Family

My baby is scheduled to arrive after Christmas,but the way I feel,I think she
could be a Christmas present for us. We'll just have to wait!

Just a day after Christmas my family will arrive here at Virgin Gorda,to be with me when I have my baby.I am very excited to have my baby,and I am so glad that my family will be here also. My mom is the manager of a preschool and daycare center
and last friday the 23th they had their Chrismas celebration. She send me some pictures,wich I enjoyed because I know most of the kids since they were babies.
Yes kids grow fast..........

Butterflies

Finally It's December. The month in which I expect to see my baby for the first time. After my long wait to see the gynecologist, last week I finally had my appointment. I had to go to town by ferry at 8. I walked to the hospital and was there by 8:45. And then, I waited and waited and waited, and waited. Of course I was not alone. Another 30 or so pregnant women were also waiting. And I can say you don't want all those hormones in one room. First they eat, then They drink, then they have to pee,.. ALL at once. And there are only 2 bathrooms on that floor. Then there babies start to kick, and they get restless. And then the complaints start. The backstabbing comments, and people trying to get in before someone else. My turn came finally at 1:30. I went in to see the doctor. And to my surprise she told me that I was at high risk for Pre-Eclampsia. She told me she was worried and that I might have complications. I was shocked and just stunned. She recommended that I rest. This was going to be hard , because due to the fact that I had to wait so long, I had already missed my boat home, Which meant I had to wait Longer for a boat and I would only be sitting on a chair for another few hours. Next week I see the doctor again. I've been having some light cramps, and I feel like the baby is descending. THANK GOD. I just want to feel the first contractions and know that I will have the baby.

Antenatal Care

Are you happy with your antenatal care? I thought I was.Even though I have heard all kind of bad things about using the local clinic. I always maintained that I trust my doctors and that I am not trained to diagnose myself.However I do have some background in science and I do have an opinion.For my entire pregnancy I have had A UTI ( urinary tract infection)Not uncommon in pregnancy and just as a woman , many can relate.The thing is I would never have known since I didn't have any symptoms.
But if you go to antenatal care you must always do the dipstick test.So I found out.After trying 3 antibiotics, with no result the doctor said not to worry and drink water.I trusted him , since no test till then could specify anything. It just seemed to be a fluke.Lo and behold, After another test I find out I have a pretty nasty infection.No wonder the medication was not working. The doctor (not my regular doctor) said that the medicine I was taking would never kill the bacteria. Most treatments are not safe during pregnancy so I had only one choice.They did not have the medicine , so I got a tablet for now.I am supposed to get an injection. Some things were overlooked. Like giving me gestational diabetes test. I had to ask for it. Protein was found in my urine consistently. But nothing was done.Naturally I feel a bit frustrated. I don't trust my antenatal team as much anymore.I will trust my instincts more, but I have to be able to trust my doctors, especially going to the phase of birth.

Breastfeeding

There’s no doubt about the benefits of
breastfeeding a baby,still there are many
woman around the world who avoid this
free and healthy resource that nature provided for
the infants. If humans are the only species in the world
with reason,then why is it that a lot of women especially
those from more developed countries are taking this natural
food for granted by replacing it with lower quality
powdered animal milk?

I will defenitely breastfeed my baby!

Pregnancy superstition or Culture?

When you become pregnant in Suriname you have to deal with some limitations and rules that come from the variety of cultures,in my country:

Don't sit with your leggs crossed during the pregnancy: It will hold the delivery back.

When you meet with a family member that is also pregnant you must always carry a twig and break it uneven every time you meet,for the person who delivers last, will have problems if they don't break sticks.

Everytime you crave for food or something specific you cant get at that
time, you must pinch yourself in the buttocks,if you don't the child will get a
mark wich will remind you of the time you wanted to eat pork for example your
child could get a hairy spot on its body just like a porks skin.

Don't get into trouble with family members,because this is dangerous to your unborn child. Especialy your husband parents,brothers,sisters and grandparents.

Don't stay out too late because a pregnant woman is totally open for bad spirits who only walk at night and may harm you.

There are lots of things you should not do when your pregnant,according
to the Surinamese.Some will call it superstition,to us its part of the culture.

Visa Frustration for Mom

Everybody is getting ready for the baby,and that's not so easy for my mom and younger sis Whitney.They are now in the middle of a visa frustration, to get into BVI. They need a visa because they have a Caribbean passport,and BVI is a British Island. My stepdad is Dutch and has no problems to travel whatsoever.

The most irritating part is that they have to travel from Suriname to Guyana to get their visa. This means at least a $1000 extra costs,to travel and pay for a hotel,just to get a visa from the British Embassy.It also means that Whitney who is in the tenth grade of the International Academy of Suriname(IAS) has to miss at least two days of school.My mom runs a daycare and preschool in Suriname: "Sjommischool" and "De duimelotjes" And is also forced to leave her job.

My mom tries to be positive in this whole matter.Her grandfather was Guyanees,but she have never been to Guyana before,so she will try to find her relatives.

He Grandfather's name was: William,Edgar,Plowell and he was born around 1900 in Guyana. My grandmother his eldest daughters name was: Hariette,Mathilda,Koenders-Plowell.My mother is Ruth van der Marck-Koenders also a welknown songwriter in Suriname.

My mom and "sis" Whitney will be staying at the Tower Hotel in Guyana from 22 november till 23 november 2007.Hopefully this journey will not only give them their visa,to be able to see my mom's first grandchild and Whitney's little cousin but also a clue to our Guyanees roots.

Surprises

This past week had been quite exciting to me.

After receiving a FEDEX package from my parents in Suriname with all sorts of gifts, I started really to get more into the spirit of “baby”.
Somehow I found my self panicking that I would not be ready.
I read more , I stayed on line looking at online stuff to find the latest news and recalls. Some how I have this picture in my mind of how its supposed to be done and how ITS NOT.Being in a totally different country with different culture sure makes it harder to connect with women here. So I rely on my mom and my memory to get me trough.Yesterday I got a great Gift from a friend. I guess the gift giving for a baby is UNIVERSAL . I know that people care and they are excited for me. So I think I’ll make it.I have 10 weeks to go, to meet this little person that has been swimming inside my body for months. When she arrives she will change the World.

Guess who's coming to Virgin Gorda?

My mom ,stephdad and my younger sister Whitney planned to be with me when I will have my baby.Robbert and I are very happy, because we think as this is my first child,its very important that my parents will be with me.My younger sister will
come also and she is delighted to see the baby . Unfortunately my Big brother Jerome won’t be able to come,because somebody MUST stay at “Home” To look after
our beautiful dogs : Angus and Sarah. He planned to come when the others return
to Suriname.My parents did the hotel reservations in a very early stage,due to the busy holiday season when they will arrive in Virgin Gorda .Virgin Gorda is one big attraction for tourists on cruise ships during the holidays. I can hardly wait to see my family

A day at the beach

Last Sunday I had a bit of a scare. While I was sitting in front of the TV I suddenly felt faint. I taught nothing of it and just ate something, but I got worse, so I went to lay down.After that I started to throw up. I decided to see the doctor which turned out to be a good idea. I had low blood pressure which was causing me to feel faint and nauseous.I was told to rest and drink extra fluids.
I had to cancel my usual day at the beach on sunday.Since I don't really workout I try to walk the beach every now and then.Living in BVI I have some beautiful beaches to take advantage of.I often go to "the Baths" to relax, but since that takes a hike to get there its off limits for the stage of my pregnancy. I also love "Savannah Bay".That's a flat bay so we went there today and took a swim. I also took a walk along the bay. The baby was very quiet.I think the water rocked her to sleep.We intend to take her there often once she's born.I'll always have the memories of taking her there in my tummy.

Living on an Island

When I first came to Virgin Gorda two years ago,for a vacation to be with my then fiancee,and now husband Robbert who is also from Suriname,but happens to work in Virgin Gorda,I could soon see lot's of differences between My country Suriname and the Island of Virgin Gorda.Lot's of mountains here in Virgin Gorda,while the lanscape
is flat in Suriname. Now my country isn't big if you compare it to our big "neighbour" Bazil,but its still many times larger then the tiny Island Virgin Gorda.There are hardly two thausand inhabitants in Virgin Gorda,while there are
about half a million in my home country.The language is english but not exactly
the english we learned at school,and it was not so easy to understand the people.
english is still a foreign language to me as a Surinamese,who speaks dutch.
Let alone to understand the BVI dialect.After living and working here for a year
I get along much better.What I will never get used to is the very strong chloride concentration in the water. In Suriname we have the best quality water you can get in the world,and drinking water from the tap is something I am used too.But you can't drink tap water here,you have to buy water not only to drink,but when my baby arrive I have to buy "baby water"so those are the things I cannot get used to. I also consider to buy the very expensive "baby water" to bathe myself,because my skin gets dryer by the day,and I am sure I must blame this on the water!

DISCOMFERT

Forget labor pain (for now that is)what about before giving birth, the discomfort of pregnancy.They tell you about getting morning sickness, and dizziness.

But once you start to get bigger and heavier you start feeling that you’ve lost controle of your body. You walk funny, can’t get up by yourself. Sleeping is virtually impossible.Exercises can help. Personally I try some pregnancy yoga.

Most of the time I feel its good for the baby to get into a more comfortable position.I can’t say it removes the discomfort I am feeling.

Don’t get me wrong my baby is not a burden to me, but I think its hard for people to admit sometimes how uncomfortable theY really are when they are in the last stages of pregnancy.

I am so ready to have my baby and get back to myself.But for today I think I will just go to the beach and have a swim, to relax.

"Baby" shopping

Yesterday my husband and I went "baby" shopping. There's not much to find here for a baby."Here" that is in Virgin Gorda,there are only 2000 inhabitants,and the shops are according to the tiny Island. Still we found a baby store and I bought a few things for my baby.In my culture you cannot start to shop for baby items too early.
Because when I was in Suriname a few months ago,I could easily have bought most of my baby items right there. But,my mom warned me not to start too early and we decided that she would fedex the most Items like cloth diapers and othere neccesary baby stuff i just can't find here. Still it was nice to start shopping for my baby.
I bought a babybathtub and a nice pair of baby shoes,and some clothes. When we were done the shop was nearly empty:)I love zwitsal products,but the products seem to be
"overperfumated" gues I must look for a less scented baby product.I will also buy some coconuts to make my own coconut oil,because it can be very helpfull when the baby has a snotty nose or a fever.In Suriname every household must have fresh cooked coconut oil,for many different purposes.Here's a very old recepy when your baby has a fever:

Take two table spoons of coconut oil
crunch two pitts of garlic and mix it
with the oil.Add a teaspoon of vinegar
and mix all together.
Massage it gently on the breast and back
of the baby,and put clothes on for your baby
don't leave her without clothes.

This medicine doesn't smell nice,
especially if you hate garlic.
But it works,it drops the fever.

Sleeplessness

I have a big problem to get to sleep lately,no wonder,my belly gets
larger and my baby needs space.I am not used to sleep only on my right
side,but now I have to,because the moment I turn left,I feel the little
one protesting. Then immidiately I turn to the right side again.That's
quite uncomfortable to me,but I have to get used to it because the
following months it won't get any better.My mom said that these
are the common things of pregnancy.Maybe I should get a better matrass
because the one I lay on isn't excactly new. Maybe a new matrass won't
make much of a difference,but I can use even a little more comfort to
get to sleep!

I’m going to be a mom!

Being pregnant is always a special experience, and surely unique to every one.
Personally, the first trimester was quite uneventful and I was just hoping and praying to pass that stage with no problems. I made sure I took plenty of folic acid. My appetite did fade and I had some moments of nausea. I tried to read as much as possible about the stage I was in and I kept wondering, when I was going to “show”.Entering the second trimester it was not visible that I was pregnant. I could still sleep on my stomach. I don’t even know when I transitioned into a mommy with a belly, but I do remember feeling the baby for the first time:

A flutter on the right side. Early in the morning. And for weeks to come around the same time that flutter would appear again and again, on my right side every time. Around 18 weeks I started to be able to feel the baby very lightly with my hands on the outside of my stomach. I would lie down on my back; because that’s the only way I could feel anything. When I was hungry or right after eating there would be more activity.At 20 weeks I saw “her” move for the first time. Wiggling non stop turning summersaults, while the doctor tried to make out the sex.I finally felt that I had the right to daydream about a real baby a real child. No longer in the earliest stages of development. But I didn’t dare buy anything except maternity clothes. At that time a really started to look pregnant and I was just starting to embrace the feel of a pregnant body. I bought outfits for myself a maternity pillow, and I was worried I would forget things. I bought creams to prevent stretch marks( which I got anyway) and lots of books to read. And after a while I realized that none of that really mattered to me as long as I my baby was ok. The cute outfits couldn’t stay on when I got hot flashes for no reason.I couldn’t care less what I was wearing.( In the house of course). I would hit the shower as much as I could. My back looks like a before picture in a proactive commercial, but It doesn’t seem to bother me at this time. I’m just happy it’s not in my face.I read all kinds of books, but I was either not at that stage yet, past that stage, or the book didn’t cover the topic I wanted to know about (.. Thank God for the internet)I entered the third trimester after a week earlier getting the OK form my OBGYN.I looked at other ladies with appointments. The size of their bellies and I thought how small mine looked compared to them… “ was my baby small perhaps” The doctor felt my stomach and could tell me where the head was. Would I be able to tell if I tried to feel around?, Or would I hurt my baby? I kept asking myself questions, while I went into a baby shop.
I bought some clothes, got home, and opened the boxes.I started to get more and more excited about the idea that someone was going to wear it soon. At 28 weeks It finally hit me,.. She HIT me,..with her fist.Bulging out at me in the middle of the night was a tiny hand, I felt the shape trough my skin. And I just wanted to grab it and hold on to it forever.

I’m going to be a mom!