EllaandLuca Pregnancy Diary

Posted Friday, October 01, 2010 5:26 PM

This baby helped me feel so much more at home.  I had a person to share all my adventures.

 New surroundings

My husband was completing contract work in Mexico, so after our wedding and honeymoon we headed down to San Miguel De Allende, Mexico.  Things progressed naturally as they should, although with the excitement of the new location neither of us really noticed a lack of my period.  Finally after 12 days it hit us!  My husband, who is fluent in Spanish had to ask the pharmacist for the pregnancy test, as I only knew 20 words (mostly naming animals thanks to Handy Manny and Dora the Explorer).  I waited until the next morning, and sure enough we were going to have a baby!  Wonderful!  However, not knowing a single soul there, I knew finding proper care was going to be a tricky task. 

Seeking comfort

I went to adopt a kitten, something furry to comfort my homesickness.  The ladies who ran the shelter were American retirees.  I felt a nice warm connection to them, so I asked if they knew of an OB GYN who spoke English.  Lou Ella gave me the number of her doctor, the address and name of the hospital.  I returned to our abode with my two new furry friends, and a number I hoped would help me. 

My husband made the appointment for me ... but when the day came I had to go it alone, as he was working - doing what he went there to do.  I took a taxi to the bright blue hospital.  The receptionist called my name, and I went in to meet the most lovely Doctor ever.  I still call her “Dra. Sandra”, as her four syllable last name still stumps me and my English tongue.  It was my Dad's 60th birthday and here I was 4000 miles from home listening and watching my baby.  Everything was healthy I was told, and to come back in one month for another check up, and with a very precise prescription for vitamins. 

Watching our little one grow

I went every month and eagerly awaited watching my little one grow.  In Mexico, you are given an ultrasound with a bunch of photos to take home every time you visit the doctor.  I shared them with the lady we rented our apartment from, all the retirees at Starbucks, and the kind people who made those amazing Chai Lattes (I spent a lot of time there as they had heat, and the winters in San Miguel are chilly).  This baby helped me feel so much more at home.  I had a person to share all my adventures.

We spent New Years on the coast of Mexico, camping on the beach.  My parents came to visit and we saw the ancient Mayan Pyramids, the Monarch Butterfly landing site and of course oodles of brightly colored buildings, donkeys and ranches.  This little one was already a born traveler. 

And the gender is…

At the 5 month point we decided to head home.  The contract was finished.  So we packed up our kittens, our 8 suitcases and flew home to Toronto.  Before I left I had one more appointment with Dra Sandra.  She got to disclose the sex of the baby, and I was told SHE was growing really well and so she felt that my trip home would be a very easy trip.  I left with a hug and a letter with her personal email address and the words, "No matter where you are in the world, you are my patient.  If you have any questions at all, please write to me."

I did.  Although the remainder of my pregnancy went very smoothly under the care a great Canadian Doctor,  I still wrote to Dra Sandra to keep her updated on my little girl.

What to expect

Now my expected due date was July 7th, but I really hoped she would come on the first.  We wanted a Canada Day baby - so she would have fireworks every year!  She did!  After 17 hours of labor, and an all natural delivery, Mia Angela was born at 10:21 am, weighing 5 pounds, 9 ounces and 19 inches in length.  A very healthy happy baby!

We look forward to Mia, our true Canadian traveling little one's first trip to Mexico, where we can show all the places she's already been!

>> Want to share your pregnancy story? Email it to echu@theknot.com