“Yay! We’re pregnant! Now what?”
Being pregnant is no easy task. Combine that with being stationed overseas and an entirely separate challenge is added. Luckily, there is no shortage of resources for the expecting family here in the KMC.
The moment I found out I was pregnant, I was overwhelmed with joy. How exciting this was going to be — my first child will be able to say he or she was born in Germany. Then, my head was suddenly swamped with a million questions.
What did the KMC have to offer me and my family while we were expecting? What doctor will I see? Will my son or daughter be German or American? What options do I have in classes?
Now seven months in and looking back, I see there is plenty available here to fully accommodate any pregnant mother.
Throughout my pregnancy, I’ve thought about many things and how they would affect me and my new bundle of joy.
First thing’s first — would I continue seeing my primary care manager or would I begin seeing a new doctor?
It depends. Anything not pregnancy-related that occurs prior to 20 weeks of gestation, you would do exactly what you normally would do. I got sick twice prior to 20 weeks, and both times used the personal help adviser line to determine if I needed to see a doctor.
For anything pregnancy related, I went through Landstuhl Regional Medical Center’s OB/GYN clinic. I’ve had regular appointments scheduled every four weeks to check on the status of myself and what my husband and I like to call “the peanut.”
My advice? Since you are pregnant and are likely to forget important questions during the four-week wait time, write down as many questions or concerns you can. That way, you get as much out of your appointment as possible.
After my first few appointments at LRMC, I was offered many opportunities to grasp the “expectant mother” experience. All of the extra support helped me through everything, considering this was our first child.
There is a program offered through LRMC where a nurse can meet with you on a monthly basis to give you advice. They gave me tons of helpful information and the chance to ask questions about how my body was changing and what to expect.
Because I am just about 30 weeks, I can now register for the evening courses offered through LRMC on Thursdays. The courses, I’ve been told, cover everything from breast-feeding and labor and delivery, to the long-awaited postpartum.
There are also programs for mothers throughout their entire pregnancy, and they can be easily registered for just by contacting the OB/GYN front desk.
Aside from the medical aspect, there were many other things that concerned me. Like any other pregnant woman who is self conscious about gaining weight, I tried to figure out how to keep fit during my pregnancy.
Luckily, I found out a prenatal fitness class was offered on both Landstuhl and Ramstein.
It has been very helpful to attend a class that teaches specific training on how to stay fit during pregnancy was exactly what I needed. The course covers everything from pilates and core work to circuit training and specific muscle training. I couldn’t have asked for a better fitness plan, especially designed to help me and the “peanut” stay healthy.
As for knowing what to expect after the baby is born, there is a class offered through the Airman & Family Readiness Center’s new parent support program called Bundles for Babies. This class offers support for new parents and can help them in knowing what to expect in having a new baby at home and the safety it requires.
With 10 weeks to go, I am cramming as much as seemingly possible into each and every day. I still have major purchases to make and I am trying to stock up on diapers as much as possible.
With the high volume of people on Ramstein, I recommend getting as many of your purchases earlier on in your pregnancy as possible so when your cute little “peanut” comes, you are fully prepared. The most important of those purchases are the crib, mattress, bottles and accessories, and a breast pump if you are a working mom who plans on breast-feeding.
I wish the best of luck to you and your newest addition!
To read the full story, visit www.ramstein.af.mil.
Here are some numbers that were extremely helpful for me during this pregnancy:
» A&FRC, 480-5900 or 06371-47-5900
» Airman’s Attic, Bldg. 2162, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday
» LRMC OB/GYN, 486-7196 or 06371-86-7196
» LRMC Labor, Delivery, 486-8208 or 06371-86-8208
» Passport, Visas & Birth Registration office, 480-2240 or 06371-47-2240
» Personal Health Adviser line, toll free in Germany 0800-825-1600
» Ramstein Southside Fitness Center, 480-0294 or 06371-47-0294
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“Yay! We’re pregnant! Now what?”
Being pregnant is no easy task. Combine that with being stationed overseas and an entirely separate challenge is added. Luckily, there is no shortage of resources for the expecting family here in the KMC.
The moment I found out I was pregnant, I was overwhelmed with joy. How exciting this was going to be — my first child will be able to say he or she was born in Germany. Then, my head was suddenly swamped with a million questions.
What did the KMC have to offer me and my family while we were expecting? What doctor will I see? Will my son or daughter be German or American? What options do I have in classes?
Now seven months in and looking back, I see there is plenty available here to fully accommodate any pregnant mother.
Throughout my pregnancy, I’ve thought about many things and how they would affect me and my new bundle of joy.
First thing’s first — would I continue seeing my primary care manager or would I begin seeing a new doctor?
It depends. Anything not pregnancy-related that occurs prior to 20 weeks of gestation, you would do exactly what you normally would do. I got sick twice prior to 20 weeks, and both times used the personal help adviser line to determine if I needed to see a doctor.
For anything pregnancy related, I went through Landstuhl Regional Medical Center’s OB/GYN clinic. I’ve had regular appointments scheduled every four weeks to check on the status of myself and what my husband and I like to call “the peanut.”
My advice? Since you are pregnant and are likely to forget important questions during the four-week wait time, write down as many questions or concerns you can. That way, you get as much out of your appointment as possible.
After my first few appointments at LRMC, I was offered many opportunities to grasp the “expectant mother” experience. All of the extra support helped me through everything, considering this was our first child.
There is a program offered through LRMC where a nurse can meet with you on a monthly basis to give you advice. They gave me tons of helpful information and the chance to ask questions about how my body was changing and what to expect.
Because I am just about 30 weeks, I can now register for the evening courses offered through LRMC on Thursdays. The courses, I’ve been told, cover everything from breast-feeding and labor and delivery, to the long-awaited postpartum.
There are also programs for mothers throughout their entire pregnancy, and they can be easily registered for just by contacting the OB/GYN front desk.
Aside from the medical aspect, there were many other things that concerned me. Like any other pregnant woman who is self conscious about gaining weight, I tried to figure out how to keep fit during my pregnancy.
Luckily, I found out a prenatal fitness class was offered on both Landstuhl and Ramstein.
It has been very helpful to attend a class that teaches specific training on how to stay fit during pregnancy was exactly what I needed. The course covers everything from pilates and core work to circuit training and specific muscle training. I couldn’t have asked for a better fitness plan, especially designed to help me and the “peanut” stay healthy.
As for knowing what to expect after the baby is born, there is a class offered through the Airman & Family Readiness Center’s new parent support program called Bundles for Babies. This class offers support for new parents and can help them in knowing what to expect in having a new baby at home and the safety it requires.
With 10 weeks to go, I am cramming as much as seemingly possible into each and every day. I still have major purchases to make and I am trying to stock up on diapers as much as possible.
With the high volume of people on Ramstein, I recommend getting as many of your purchases earlier on in your pregnancy as possible so when your cute little “peanut” comes, you are fully prepared. The most important of those purchases are the crib, mattress, bottles and accessories, and a breast pump if you are a working mom who plans on breast-feeding.
I wish the best of luck to you and your newest addition!
To read the full story, visit www.ramstein.af.mil.
Here are some numbers that were extremely helpful for me during this pregnancy:
» A&FRC, 480-5900 or 06371-47-5900
» Airman’s Attic, Bldg. 2162, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday
» LRMC OB/GYN, 486-7196 or 06371-86-7196
» LRMC Labor, Delivery, 486-8208 or 06371-86-8208
» Passport, Visas & Birth Registration office, 480-2240 or 06371-47-2240
» Personal Health Adviser line, toll free in Germany 0800-825-1600
» Ramstein Southside Fitness Center, 480-0294 or 06371-47-0294