Bangalore or Bust

So a short trip to India has been calendared - it looks like we will go in the middle of July (the coolest time, right?) for about a week.  And we decided to take Ivy.  After much deliberation (on how much easier it would be to leave her at home and how much happier everyone - her, Chris, ME, the passengers of Lufthansa Flight 401 - would be), I decided I just couldn't leave her for an entire week.  Mommy separation anxiety kicked in.

I'm also nervous about her touching everything in the country, especially since she is too young to get certain vaccines.  She's at an age where everything on the ground must be picked up and inspect, sometimes with her mouth.  And then there's the mosquitoes.  Do I sound like a nervous Mom or what?

Our main goal will be to see if we can even live there, or will I be like, "Oh Hell No", the second we deplane (great word, deplane).  We also want to visit the places people like us live, us being expatriates with families and sensitive stomachs.  There are supposedly whole suburban paradises set up just for us types.  I mean, who would want to go to a country and actually LIVE there, amongst the people?  Well, me for one, but everyone assures me that I will want to be in one of these suburban compounds, especially with little kids.  The adventurer in me resists but knows it's probably true.

And then there will be the daunting task of trying to interview doctors and visiting hospitals so that we can make a decision about having the baby in Bangalore.  Though I know more babies are probably born in India daily than in any other place in the world, I am very set in my ways about what KIND of birth I want to have, and from what I have heard, the childbirth practices at the 'modern' hospitals are very different from the US (especially the Bay Area)...like 60% Cesarean Section rate (YIKES), automatic shaving and enema upon entering the hospital in labor (YIKES YIKES) and sometimes having to share labor rooms with other women.  I have done a lot of research and have found a couple of highly recommended places to visit, we'll just have to see how it goes, and how comfortable I am after the trip.

At least it won't be boring, and what is life without adventure?

Comments

[Alice]

Holy smokes, giving birth in India! Wow!

It's somewhat too bad that Ivy will be too young to remember this, since it's such a great experience for her too.

Lunch or dinner before your short trip?!

[Santosh]

There will be a couple of things you may have to get used to......
Hope you will enjoy your stay and maybe decide to live there for some time.
Regarding the labour room etc. suggest you visit the Bangalore Baptist Hospital ask for the director Dr. Rebeeka Naylor she is from the US.
Good luck!!

[PR RAMESH]

Hello there.

Check out Manipal Hospital in Bangalore. We send a number of foreign patients including many for gynaec and obstetrics. Have had good feedback.

Need to talk to a good gynaec? Speak to Dr Hema in Banglaore ( + 91 98454 64112 )

Or send me an e mail and we will help you through the process.

[Humera]

HI thr..
just stumbled across your blog.. I wish you all the best.. and yes i support your decision of not birthing in india.. if you change your mind in any case then check out the birthing center at goa.. I am a new mother and i have changed so many doctors.. all the dosctors think that they are gods and they dont have time even to listen to your worries..
God bless you.