Therapy

One thing that can cost quite the pretty penny for folks in North America is therapy.
Whether it's physiotherapy, mental therapy or speech therapy (I know there are more kinds out there but cannot list them all) - it'll cost you.
Some employers offer their employees free therapy at certain therapist offices...which is great!  And which I have used in the past to get over some troubling events in my life.

Never would I have thought that I would need to get my 2-year old therapy.
Well, in Finland - for children- therapy is free (so I've been told).
Why does my 2-year old require some therapy?

Well, V�in� is 2-years old and doesn't speak at all.  Some relatives on my husband's side didn't speak until they were older than that...but we thought it was odd because let's face it: I talk a lot.
That and he's surrounded by languages...English and Finnish and a little Portugese!! (Good friends of ours are from Brazil and visit regularly).
But it's not just the lack of speech that had us concerned at first.
We noticed that V�in� may love his DVDs to the point of obsession...and he doesn't play with toys at all....he loves books though but doesn't look at them page by page either.  Lately he hasn't played on any of the playground equipment either!!  And he normally LOVES the swings!  Perhaps it's because the swing seats are cold because of the winter...but still....
If you pointed at something - he wouldn't look at the item or spot you were pointing to..he'd rather look at your finger.
95% of people he sees on a semi-regular basis - he's terrified of.  We can't figure it out...he just ignores them and if they try to hold him - he goes wild.  And not the "I just won a million Euros!!!" wild either.
And the hardest thing is that V�in� doesn't listen.  I'm positive he understands what we're saying - but if he's bouncing everywhere - no matter how many times I clap my hands, yell, sit him down on a time out - he just goes back to jumping as soon as my back is turned.
(The list could go on forever...don't get me wrong - there are plenty of wonderful things about V�in� too!)
This has all been very frustrating...I am willing to admit that it has sometimes put a strain on our relationship with our son and between my husband and I too.  After much discussion we finally decided to be open-minded and realize that perhaps it's something a tad more serious than being a "spirited child" as we originally thought.

Thanks to having regular Neuvola appointments with my youngest, the nurse has been asking about V�in� regularly and back in December she recommended a speech therapist.
I was there again last week and advised her that nobody has called to make an appointment yet - so she got on them for me and this morning I got a phone call from a local speech therapist.
AND the speech therapist is going to request a young child-psychologist sees V�in� as well!  This is great.

We are suspecting that V�in� may have some spectrum of Autism or Asperger's Syndrome and we're trying as hard as possible to get not only the help he needs but the advice we need to help him grow and be more sociable.
(Poking other kids in their eyes can be cute only for so long - right?)

I'll keep you updated on this journey - not that I enjoy spreading my personal life on the internet in this fashion, however, I hope this can reach other parents that perhaps live in Finland  (or another country) and I want you to know how things go here.  And that there's nothing wrong with getting some help when you need it.

Neuvola

I was looking around today, while both boys were sleeping and realized there's a lot I can blog about.

This is the mother's card - or the prenatal booklet you bring with you when you're pregnant.  You get a new one of these for each pregnancy.

The inside opens up with your blood type, details of each appointment (i.e. blood pressure, weight, size of the belly, hemoglobin levels, pH levels in your urine, baby's heart beat etc.)

On the other side there's info about your labour.
You also get a copy of your labour chart before you leave the hospital and the mid-wife or nurse will go over it with you.

Something else I've probably mentioned before but never posted photos of - was the kids' Neuvola booklets.
You're given one booklet per child at your child's 1-month Neuvola appointment.  Don't lose it and remember to bring it with you every time you go to the Neuvola.  It's a record-keeper of their vaccines, measurements and weight and any other notes that the doctor or care-givers (I refer to them as "nurses" personally but it's not the actual term when translated in Finnish) may need to make.
They do record everything on the computer as well - but if the electricity ever went out (which we have yet to experience) or if you went to the hospital - they may not necessarily have access to the Neuvola records immediately.
(I just keep mine in the diaper/every-day bag personally....)

The Neuvola provides little plastic booklet holders for your booklets.

The Neuvola booklet

A list of vaccines near the back ("KK" means months and is referring to the age of the child on the left-hand side).

The newer booklet holder

Only has 2 pockets...

The inside of the booklets are different too!
Left is the newer version and the right is the old one (2009)...first page is completely different.

In Canada - we don't get such things.  We just bring the child in (or your pregnant belly) and they have folders with all the information there.

The doctors and nurses do NOT have computers in their office to in-put your information and book your next appointment either...at least mine didn't.  I had to make my next appointment with the receptionist at the front desk.

Neuvola "Etiquette"

So in Canada when you take your children for their routine vaccines and check-ups (and if you're expecting) - you take them to the doctor.
Well, in Finland, you take them to your local Neuvola.  They are mostly staffed by nurses - but if you call them that - they're not technically considered "nurses" because of the different education programs required to obtain that "status and title".  A friend of mine is a "Health Care Provider" (or loosely translated to that) but I always think of them as nurses...they provide health advice, check blood pressure and provide vaccines....
You do and can see doctors at the Neuvola for your child and for you (during pregnancy and after you deliver) but it's not often.
Doctors can write your prescription and it would be best to make sure you have your previous copy of your prescription if you have it!

So when you enter a Neuvola - here's some things to keep in mind:

• Leave your strollers/prams outside.  The wheels carry a lot of germs and bacteria - so the Neuvola requests you leave them outside.
• You can bring in baby car seats or carrying bags for little babies.
• Remove your shoes and coat, and your child(s) as well.
• If for some reason you do not want to remove your foot wear (i.e. it's too hard or you have a sore back etc.) - there is usually some blue plastic slip-on covers and just make sure to dispose of them before you go.
• Disinfect your hands and your family's.  
• There's always somebody who is sick in the Neuvola - that's why they have it...so prevent your family from catching a cold and prevent yourself from spreading more cold-germs....
• If your Neuvola has a play area - remember, kids pick their nose, and stick their hands everywhere!  So make sure to wipe or disinfect little hands before you leave too!
• If you are pregnant - weigh yourself and remember the number (remember it's in kilograms!) to tell your nurse.
• As well, go to the bathroom and you do your own urine test (the pH level one with the white strips that change color).  If there's anything odd - then you tell your nurse when you get in to see them.
• When weighing a baby - as long as they don't give too much of a fight, they'll weigh your baby completely naked.  So be sure to bring a clean diaper...you'll probably need it.

That's all I can think of and I hope this helps!!

Prenatal Care in Finland (and more about the pregnancy!)

By the time this posts - it'll be some time in October 2011.  (Sounds so futuristic huh?)

For the most part, I have kept my 2nd (and final!) pregnancy a secret from many people - even good friends, Facebook, Blogger and people I know IN Finland!
Shocker I know.
Why did I "attempt to hide it"?  Because I was travelling a lot - I ended up having some slight complications (and an early miscarriage June of 2010) - but just to be safe - I figured I'd keep my mouth shut until after the baby's born....and I think personally, it would be hilarious for my Facebook profile photo to be a little baby and a status update of (something along the lines of): "Went to the hospital and they gave me one of these!!"
That's my sense of humour though...

Now, let's talk about prenatal care in Finland!  Remember, last time I was pregnant with V�in�, I moved to Finland at 26 weeks pregnant.  I wasn't overly big, it was a tiring move (with 2 big dogs too) - but we survived.

So, what's different between Canada (specifically Nova Scotia - which may not have the exact same procedures as the rest of Canada) and Finland for pre-natal care?

Let's start at the beginning!

I found out I was pregnant on February 6, 2011 (3 days before my birthday - go figure....), called the Neuvola nurse that my son goes to- and was advised I have to go to a "maternity Neuvola" (which is not the same location as the one we were going to for V�in�).
This happened to be the Neuvola across from the Central Hospital of Jyv�skyl� (where I used to live when we first moved here!)....which also happens to not have a direct bus route and is about a 45 minutes walk! (~3km?)
So after some quick calls, I made my first appointment for some time in March.  When I went there with my son and husband, the nurse attempted to do an ultrasound instead of using a doppler to look for the heart beat.  I wasn't prepared for an ultrasound (as fuzzy as it was) - and didn't drink any water.
(In NS, there is NO ultrasound until 20-22 weeks unless a heart beat is not detected or there are multiple heart beats - and you have to go to the hospital.)
Needless to say, she couldn't find anything (she never warned me about drinking water or not using the bathroom either) - but she should've been able to.  She re-scheduled the prenatal survey and the ultrasound for 2 weeks later and requested that my family not come with me.  Because V�in� was quite upset waking up in a new environment he didn't recognize, and woke up too early - he was obviously crying - and this nurse couldn't handle it.  (Doctors don't do these appointments - just once or twice throughout the pregnancy).
(Worst first impression ever - thanks a lot "Beth" - obviously not her real name).  The other thing about Beth, is that she's also a mid-wife - so she's USED to be around babies and mothers and I just thought it was very un-professional of her to ask such a thing...

2 weeks later, I go by myself and drink lots of water in preparation for the ultrasound.  Beth was all smiles and advised me that she was glad I didn't bring my son, because "he stressed her out" and made it "very difficult to find the baby via ultrasound."
I guess she didn't see the smoke coming out of my ears.... I sharply advised her that she did not notify me of having to drink water - and that she should've been able to find something at the previous appointment, because I was showing multiple symptoms of pregnancy.  (She must've thought it was hormones, smiled and nodded and brushed me off).
So within 10 seconds of using the ultrasound scanner - guess what?!  She found the baby!  Wow - who would've guessed?!
Anyhow, she determined that I was going to have a big baby, or perhaps, I was further ahead than she thought (because she doesn't understand English well enough - the date of my last menstrual cycle was completely lost on her)....
Oh and then there's the "Prenatal Survey".  In NS, they ask about your family history, as far back as your siblings and grandparents/aunts or uncles on either side of the family (mother to be or father to be).
In Finland, they ask you as far back as your cousins and spouse/partner's cousins!
Here's what they want to know (similar to that of Canada):

• History of cancer, asthma, blindness, diabetes, autism, ADHD (pretty much anything that could be genetic)
• History of alcohol, smoking or drug usage
• General health, diet and exercise regime
• Vaccine history
• If you or spouse/partner were a complicated or difficult birth - what was involved
• Plans on travelling during the pregnancy (they do not recommend you fly after 25 weeks-I think in Canada it's 30-35 weeks - depending on your doctor and where you're flying to)

The first ultrasound was held at the Gravida, a separate section of the hospital and quite a pain to get to as it's hidden away.  I had one at 16 weeks - to see if the baby had anything similar to what I was born with (some stomach issue in which I was born with my stomach open) and to check it's heart (as I also had a heart murmur when I was a wee one).
No children are allowed at all, at the ultrasound - even if they are well behaved and/or asleep!  Tim and V�in� had came with me (V�in� was sound asleep and not going to wake up at all) and the doctor told them coldly to go down the hall and wait in a chair.
This ultrasound cost me 27,40� and was not covered by Kela, because a doctor did the ultrasound.
If it was done by a nurse - there wouldn't have been a fee.  However - you don't seem to get a choice in who does your ultrasound.

The second ultrasound was with the same doctor in the Gravida and I have also received a bill for it for the same amount.
I asked for the gender and we are pretty sure it's a ____________.
She tried to get a 3-D photo, however the baby was covering it's face....funny, Tim's like that now and so was V�in� during our Canadian ultrasound.

During my last appointment (approximately 5.5 months - some time in June) - I was asked if there was any history of diabetes in my family.  I really have no idea - because I'm adopted - but I said simply "Not that I know of why?"
According to Finland's regulations, if you are under the age of 25, have no history of diabetes yourself or with direct family members (siblings or parents) and any previous child was under 4.5kg - you don't have to do the diabetes test!
(The diabetes test is when you drink a beverage, not use the bathroom and they test your blood sugar levels over a span of a few hours to see if you are diagnosed with "pregnancy-related diabetes".  If you are- then you meet with a dietitian and set up a very strict meal-plan.  If not - then you're fine).
Score!  Now, because I am technically "over 25"....as my birthday was in February - she let it slide.
However, if I start feeling extremely tired or not well, then I'll have to go and get that test done.
I was also asked what I'm doing for exercise ...I walk a lot, I carry heavy groceries, I carried my son in a back-pack carrier during our trip to Estonia and Paris (with my husband sharing the duties of course) - you know, usual stuff.  I walk the dogs some times...
She asked me the funniest thing then.  "If your dogs are dirty, do you wipe their legs?"
I had a look on my face that clearly said "What the _______(insert bad word of choice)?!!"
I guess her point was that I shouldn't be bending down to wipe their legs and feet - as I am already experiencing back pains (which are probably early contractions she said)...

Oh and we can't forget - the all important kegel exercises...
If you're wondering what "Kegel exercises" are - it's the flexing of your internal muscles and down south muscles....so to do this, you hold it in/suck it in like you need to pee really badly but you just - hold it in for 10 seconds...and then relax...and repeat this regularly.  (This is also supposed to help with recovery after giving birth).
Well, apparently Beth didn't know what the English term was - because during one of my appointments, she asked if I have been exercising my pelvis.  I wasn't sure "how" I was supposed to exercise my pelvis, so she gave me a demonstration.
Beth stood up and began punching herself down below.  My jaw dropped (I'm so glad my husband wasn't there or else I'd look at him and laugh even louder) and I thought quickly if my Canadian doctor has ever told me to punch myself in the "hoo-hah".
My eyes were leaking and my nose started running because I wanted to laugh so badly and I was holding it in.  I just smiled and said "Okay, I'll do these exercises when I'm in the shower....oh no don't mind me - it's just allergies."

Another great thing about Finland, is that I have received ultrasound photos throughout this pregnancy.  Where as, in NS, you don't get any.  You only find out the gender in advance through the hospital if you're having multiples or are a high-risk pregnancy.  (Then you would be going up to the 7th floor).
There's a couple companies (or perhaps it's the same one) in NS that provide the gender, a DVD and 3-D photos (or some sort of combination) at a ridiculous price.  You have to book well in advance too.

So my due date is October 16th, 2011 - but the doctor said during the 2nd ultrasound that yes - it does look like a big baby - so I'll probably go early.
I am predicting between 7-9th - as my husband's birthday is on the 8th.  (I was early with V�in� by 6 days).

July 26, 2011
Well, I'm between 28 and 29 weeks along and having hints of "nesting" (where women get ridiculously obsessive about the cleaning) and wildly cranky in doing so.  Which is also due to the need of more sleep.  But because I nap late in the evening when the hubby gets home - it causes me to be wide awake at odd hours - like 1:12am.
I've since had a doctor's appointment and the doctor looked quite young and told me congratulations and asked when we were planning on having another.  She had my history in front of her and knew that V�in� was born in Finland and a few days early and I smiled and said, "Oh this is the last one for sure."
"Never say never!" she chirps happily.
The urge to smack her upside her dark curly head was intoxicating and very tempting...
"Oh I assure you - I won't be having another one.  Too costly to fly to Canada to visit that way!" was my snarky response.  (Yet it's so true!)
She just smiled and said, "Well, you can discuss protection after you've had the baby with your nurse."
(It's called never having sex again - duh.....)
Anyways, she had noted at my last appointment that the baby was about 1.44kg (3.17 lbs) and that was considered "quite big".
Well, no kidding - considering V�in� was born at 3.57kg (7.87lbs) and according to the internet - the baby should've only been a little under 2 lbs at the time (I think I was 24 or 25 weeks? - I can't find my booklet right now).
My jaw dropped and I instantly visualized myself with a brain aneurysm trying to push out the next member of the Riggs family...have you seen the movie Gigi? The one with Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez...yep - that one.
There's still a small chance I need a c-section - the doctor noticed the placenta is near the front and "kind of low" - but that they'll keep an eye on things.

Oh and I found a double stroller at the second hand store! WAHOO!  It was originally selling for 180� and over a span of a month, dropped down to 90�....the person was supposed to pick it up last week but hadn't yet...so I reserved it and will spend V�in�'s monthly "allowance" (that is tax-free and for living in the city of JKL) to buy it tomorrow morning.  It has 3 wheels, side-by-side (I also picture a few pinches and punches being tossed between the 2 kids), a large hood, a rain cover and a "lunch bag" to put the new born in.  It's an older model by a company called "ABC DESIGN" - but it seems functional.  And it's gender neutral - navy blue and beige with black.

August 11, 2011

I had my 30 weeks +2 days appointment recently and all is well.
I asked the nurse if the hospital provides a baby-sitting service for older children while the mother is in labour.    She curtly told me: "No.  Your husband is the father - so you can take a taxi to the hospital when you're ready and he can stay at home with your son."
I lifted an eyebrow and simply told her, "I am merely curious because we do not have any family here and may not have any friends that are able to watch our son when it's time."
I thought she was incredibly rude and I only asked because some hospitals might have such services (where I don't know) and I'd rather ask and look sort of "dumb" than to not ask at all!
However, she provided me with a site that allows people to hire sitters at a rate (currently) of 8,20�/hour.  You have to pay the minimum of 2 hours worth of work and on holidays or Sundays - it is double time.  Fair enough.  And if they do not have a car - you have to drive them home or pay for their taxi (which is fine - but who knows where they are coming from!).
Then the nurse advised me that if I go during the day time - it's possible my husband and son go into the cafeteria and wait until I'm done - then they can meet me in the room.  However they do not have a "family room" anymore to accommodate both parents, newborn and older child.
Trust me lady - if I could plan when my kid was coming - I would.  I cannot wait to be done with this nurse - she pisses me off nearly every time...
I am up to 67.9kg (almost 150 lbs) but according to everybody (nurse and friends) that's great that I am gaining...about 34lbs since prior to this pregnancy!  I guess as long as I eat reasonably healthy (I do...but I also cheat a lot) and exercise (I walk Loki 30-45 minutes every night, get heavy groceries regularly, walk a lot and with a stroller) - then I'm fine.  Oh and I guess you're "supposed" to gain more weight with the second child and any other pregnancy after the first.
I was a little upset about it at first...it's extra weight I have to shed later (yes I'll breast feed) - and no, I have 0 idea how much I gained in total with V�in� because they forgot to weigh me!
But on the flip side - my maternity pants keep falling down - so that's a good sign I suppose...

Oh and she gave me a sheet of paper that acts as my birthing plan.  She translated it for me and near the bottom - it asks for potential names for a boy or a girl and what religion.
Whoa.  Why?
Because in case "something happens" to the baby - they want to know if the baby has a religion and if we don't have names picked out - they get a "temporary name".  The temporary name can be changed later apparently.
So what she was trying to tell me was, "If the baby is a still birth - what were you going to name him or her and what religion should we list on their birth/death certificate?"
(At least that's how I took it).
I was advised to bring this sheet with me to the labour....

FYI - In Canada (and probably US) - you see a doctor every time.  You rarely see a nurse, except for the small things like blood pressure, urine samples, weight and height measurements.  Once you hit a certain point in your pregnancy, I believe closer to 20-22 weeks - then you see a different doctor.  Or at least I did, because my family doctor no longer delivered babies and stopped servicing you by the time you neared/entered 2nd trimester.

Aug. 20, 2011
WOW! 32 weeks and still going strong.
Honestly, until it comes to cleaning or bending down - or picking up V�in� (who is about 25 lbs) - I often forget I am pregnant.  Sure I'm wearing bigger clothing, maternity clothes and have back pains galore...but I try and keep busy because it keeps me fit and keeps my mind off the "you're going to have a big baby" thought.
A friend confronted me via FB email asking if I was pregnant because she heard it through the grapevine back in Halifax.   I confirmed this and advised to not tell anybody because it's something we want to share after the baby's born.
She thought it was odd and a "lonely" way of telling people.  I disagree.
For me - I'm happy we're expecting another (and final) child - but I just hated all the repeated questions from our friends and family.  It's not that I don't appreciate your concerns folks - I just hated repeating myself.
So if I only have to do this one more time - I may as well do it at the end.
When I was pregnant with V�in� I felt like I was a broken record with repeating the due date, my doctor's comments, what it was like travelling while pregnant etc.  So please do not be offended - this is not directed to any one person or group!!!
This is just 50% hormones and 50% me not wanting to share the pregnancy...and I think it's also a major test for me to see if I can keep this from as many people as possible!  (So far so good!)
I spoke to other friends having their 2nd or 3rd - and they advised me they totally agreed and felt the same way - so thankfully, I don't feel too bad!
And yes, I have been taking "belly photos" occasionally when I remember.
I'm working with a friend to take some non-naked/non-bare belly exposing photos in September...so those will go online too - after the baby's born.

I honestly and deeply hope I did not offend anybody by not telling them that we are expecting - even very close friends, some of whom we saw in Canada in May (and some family as well).  Only direct family was to know - however, some beans were spilled but still this has been kept under wraps thus far.

September 17, 2011
Today I went to a cottage to dye some yarn with the ladies of our knitting group from downtown and had a blast.  I also did a lot of knitting that I wasn't used to and have developed Carpel Tunnel Syndrome...great.

September 18, 2011
Today our friend came over and took some casual, "au natural" photos for us...no nudity involved - I just mean us being ourselves at home and outside.  Nothing formal or posed.

October 1, 2011
I am currently 37 weeks and 6 days along.
On Thursday, October 29th - I was 37 + 4 and had a Neuvola appointment, which also included a visit with the doctor.
The nurse, Beth, and I are getting along better - or so I think, as I am just sick and tired of being pregnant.  Typical at this stage - if not earlier! HA!
After weighing myself and getting my blood pressure done and some basic questions out of the way - I went to the doctor - who didn't speak a lot of English.  Which is fine.  I'm used to playing the "Guess what I'm saying" game... I understood the doctor perfectly fine.
I had an ultrasound done to see about the weight and measurement of the baby - and what do you know? The head is "so low" she could not measure the baby's head size or weight.  So I am going into this pretty blind-sided...
I know - lots of women have 0 idea how big their child is going to be.  But I wanted to know - I have a pretty low tolerance for pain and I'm fairly short (5'2") and small pre-pregnancy.
But here's the worst part.  After the ultrasound - in which it was quite dark and crowded in there...and the kid looks HUGE to me!! - she signed my booklet, gave me a prescription for my inhaler (which I lost recently - the prescription refills not the inhaler itself) and sent me on the way.  She didn't take any photos - she just made sure all seemed fine in there and it was so dark and cramped - I don't think there would've been any good "shots" anyway.
What's wrong with this?!  She should have checked to see how far along I am, if at all - but I'm positive I am dilated.  I suppose she could have done an internal ultrasound to see the baby's head size - but nope.  She was so anxious to get me out the door and to avoid speaking a little English to me - that she skipped this fairly important and crucial step to the appointment.
This was done at my last doctor appointment when I was pregnant with V�in� (a different doctor of course) - and I'm curious as to why the medical care is not consistent across the board.
The nurses here do NOT check to see if you're dilated - unless it's a mid-wife and you're in the hospital delivering.
My next appointment is 2 days after my expected due date (in about 2.5 weeks)...but I'm hoping I'll be giving birth within a week.

We thankfully have found a couple of wonderful sitters that live down the road from us and that V�in� really likes!  It's hard finding someone to watch him that doesn't mind large dogs, a super-active child and our constant mess of a home!  Oh and finding someone that V�in� likes is even harder.
But V�in� adores his sitters (a married couple from Brazil studying here) and we try to have them over at least once a week to hang out with us - so he gets used to their presence.  My husband and I even managed to go see a movie without any guilt - because when we got home - V�in� was asleep in the guy's arms and didn't even notice we had left!
We had them over for coffee last week, and V�in� actually crawled into their laps and just watched a movie with them...and pretty much ignored us!

The Carpel Tunnel Syndrome has been jumping back and forth between my hands (I am right-handed) but thanks to a gel the nurse suggested - there's no pain.  Just tingling in my finger tips...much better than before.  Hopefully this goes away after the baby arrives.


October 22, 2011

Baby is home and so am I!
Baby boy was born on October 20, 2011 at 1233pm.

Prescription is FILLED!

Something I've never posted or discussed here before was getting a prescription filled.

My inhaler was running quite low - so I asked the nurse when I last visited if I could have a refill by her.  Not all nurses are able to sign for a prescription - she being one of them.  So she advised me when the doctor was in and told me when to come in to swing by and get my prescription.

And this is what it looks like:

I blocked off my full name and security ID# for privacy purposes - but at least this way, you can see what a prescription here looks like!

When you bring this paper in (don't forget your Kela card!) to the pharmacy, they'll stamp the date, initial it and add a sticker label from your prescription onto this prescription.

Don't throw this prescription out!  Keep it if you have more than 1 prescription listed - or refills available to you! (If you can see it - I have a total of 3 inhalers available to me - 2 are refills).  That, and if you need a doctor to fill your prescription again, it's easier and faster for them to fill one out if you have proof that you've had this issued to you before hand.

A typical prescription filled by my doctor looks like a piece of stationary (a longer form of a Post-It note almost) with the doctor's office on the top, my doctor's messy writing (aren't all doctors messy writers?) and her stamp.

Finland clearly thought of the doctors messy penmanship and this is a nicer and easier form to use and read!

** On the off chance you forgot your Kela (benefits card) at home while at the pharmacy, ask the pharmacist for a Kela form - and submit your receipt and prescription copy (along with the filled out form) to Kela - and they'll credit your bank account that way.  I've done it once and it didn't take very long at all!**

After-Labour in Finland + a funny nurse appointment

So after you deliver a baby - you get a diaper bag in your room. The diaper bag is by the Libero brand and it's packed with goodies. It's lime green by the way. Each year they come out with a new color I was told.
There was a 10 pack of diapers, a package of wipes (64), a little hat, a few coupons and pamphlets, a change pad, a hardcover children's book (Ratatouille - in Finnish), a pair of disposable breast pads, a little bottle of oil for cracked nipples...and a soft toy that rattles that you can clip on to something. I think that was all! It was crazy! I don't think you get that in Halifax.
When we left the hospital they didn't inspect the car seat like we were expecting them to.
The standard stay is 2-3 days after deliver depending on the health of your child, your stitches (or c-section) and your general health as well. I checked out early after 2 days because V�in� was put in ICU - so even if I did stay in the hospital - I'd still have visitation hours between 8am-9pm. Or I could go home and use the bathroom in private (I had a room mate my 2nd night there) and eat my own food. Not that the food wasn't good - as it was really good. But I usually ended up missing their tea/snack times and breakfast as I would be nursing V�in�. Everybody got the same food - you just had to go during a certain time frame to get it and then put your dishes away afterward. Breakfast (the one time I had it) - was oatmeal and an apple. Lunch is usually a bigger meal (i.e. fish, potatos, veggies) and supper was always a soup. BLEGH. I'd prefer soup for a lunch personally - but that's alright. It was all delicious - considering it was hospital food. It's really amusing seeing a bunch of women in these robes, socks and sandals with their hair all messy and looking like they walked out of the gym (aka tired)...shuffling into a line up for food. Almost like a weight-loss club atmosphere. Haha.

Even the restaurant/cafeteria that was attached to the hospital (yet had it's own entrance as well) - didn't look like a cafeteria. Unless you counted the people eating that were wearing scrubs or some sort of medical-looking outfit.

We had an appointment at the Neuvola the other day and the nurse, Katri, asked how the labour was and so on. I told her all things considering - it went very well. 5 hours isn't a big deal compared to some women who go for at least 20 hours or more!
She smiles and says, "Do you think you will want another baby soon?"
Once I managed to scrape my dropped jaw off the floor - "Definitely not. I only want one right now. The pain was just a little too much for my liking."
"Oh but it gets easier with the 2nd labor and multiple labors after the first one. The first one's the hardest but after that - it just gets easier."

SHE TRIED TO SELL THE IDEA OF HAVING ANOTHER 9-10MONTH PREGNANCY/X-AMOUNT OF HOURS LABOR TO ME. This being an issue as she's not going through the pain for me. HA.
I just told her - oh well maybe in 5 years.
"So you'd like to start contraceptives soon then?" Katri
"Oh yes - as soon as possible. I don't want another baby any time soon. Thanks."